A guest post by Charles Lawrence for Simple Writing. Regardless of the industry you’re trying to break into, you face two problems: How do you get a job without experience? How do you get experience if you can’t find a job? It’s even harder when you’re trying to break into the fiercely competitive world of … Read more
Blogging was supposed to be easy, right? But there you sit, staring at an empty page feeling frustrated. You know what you want to say. You’re an expert in your field, after all. And so many bloggers say it should only take an hour or two. So what’s the problem? You don’t have a plan. … Read more
Dreaming of writing—and publishing—your own book? You envision a novel, a children’s picture book, or maybe a memoir. The book has a gorgeous cover, and right under the title is your name. Woo! You’re not the only one. Lots of writers just like you have the same dream. But compared to the number of dreamers, … Read more
If you’ve ever had a dog who’s your BFF, you probably nod your head when dog lovers talk about the lessons dogs teach. Oh, they don’t teach specific lessons directly. Not intentionally, as far as anyone knows. But if you listen up—if you can learn from someone whose idea of fun is peeing on fenceposts—you’ll … Read more
Writers read—if you can’t read, you can’t write, plain and simple. And one of the best ways to improve your writing is to read good books, articles, or heck, read the backs of cereal boxes. I don’t care. Just read. Think about it. Kids learn language because they’re immersed in it. Special tutoring or teaching … Read more
A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper. —E.B. White The “best time for writing” has been debated over and over. Morning. Afternoon. Peak time. Off-peak time. After a workout. In the shower. While walking and recording. Some claim with 100% certainty—backed by “scientific” … Read more
You’ve heard the advice: passive verbs are a big no-no and active verbs are essential to good writing. But do you know the difference? Can you spot active and passive verbs in your own writing? Do you know when passive verbs should be used? Knowing active verbs are usually better than passive verbs is one … Read more
Writer’s block is a symptom, not an ailment you have no control over. Still, it’s hard to know why it happens and harder still to get past it. You might be tired. Sick. Worried. Stressed. Too much on your mind. Too many chores undone. Not enough time to relax and generate ideas. No time spent … Read more
Ever hear the advice to cut your final draft by 10%? It’s a writing trick usually attributed to Stephen King in On Writing, but it probably goes back to the ancient Greeks. Or at least Thomas Jefferson, who wrote “The most valuable of all talents is never using two words when one will do.” It’s … Read more
How’s your writing going? Are you reaching your goals? Rolling around in the guilt and regret much? My answers: mediocre, no, and no. What? Not regretting that you didn’t do this and didn’t complete that? Nope, I’m not regretting anything. Here’s why: Regretting the past steals time from the present and future. Plus, I had … Read more