What’s not to love about free writer tools? For starters, even if you prefer to write rough drafts in longhand—pen and paper—all writers eventually need word processing software of some kind. Sure, MS Word is the standard. But if a yearly subscription for Microsoft 365 puts a dent in your budget—or you just don’t like … Read more
Every writer knows focus is the name of the game. Some writers need absolute quiet and privacy. Others kick out the jams and let ‘er rip almost anywhere. You might need an entire day to write a few pages, while someone else pumps out 10,000 words in the same amount of time. Either way, you’re … Read more
The first few pages of a manuscript—even a paragraph or two of an article or blog post—make an announcement: This writer is a reader. Or not. It’s easy to see the difference. A non-reader’s opening pages often lack clarity or they’re a backstory info-dump. They might be muddled with too much description or head-hopping (mixed … Read more
Every day, you make hundreds of decisions in less than five seconds. Many aren’t conscious decisions, like fastening your seat belt, opening a door, putting sugar in your coffee, or saying thank you to the barista. Most of the time, you make decisions without thinking, without consciously choosing. And those decisions are based on emotions. … Read more
I want to tell you a secret. You know how sometimes you should be writing, but you’re not? You might even feel guilty, and It’s always there, nagging, in the back of your head. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fiction or nonfiction writer, a poet, or a wanna-be-big-time blogger. What matters is that you … Read more
That old scourge of many a writer: writer’s block. Is it really a thing? Or is it all in your head? I’ll give it to you straight: writer’s block is really a thing, and yes, it’s all in your head. Where else could it be? But “all in your head” doesn’t mean writer’s block is … Read more
Freelancers, bloggers, fiction writers, non-fiction writers, novelists, creative writers… No matter what you call yourself, no writer wants to look like a beginner, even if you are. But here’s the thing. Regardless of your expertise or experience level, writing mistakes don’t look good. Readers expect certain rules and conventions in quality writing, and if you’re … Read more
Why avoid clichés? Everyone uses them, and they capture your thoughts and ideas in the blink of an eye. But consider this: if you’re a blogger, freelance writer, or author, your writing will be read by readers of English around the world. Since I’m an American and have lived in the US all my life, … Read more
How can you get writing experience if you don’t have anything to write? If you’re thinking of writing for a living—freelance writing—you might be in a tough spot. You know you can write, but you don’t have any proof of your experience. No clips. No links. No portfolio. And how are you supposed to get … Read more
Writing an online book review can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. And it doesn’t need to take more than a few minutes to write. For starters, why write a book review? So. You’ve read a novel or a non-fiction book, you’re thrilled with it, and you want to let the author and … Read more