Garrison Keillor’s advice struck a chord the first time I heard it, and I often come back to it: My advice to writers is very simple. It is to get out. Get out more, don’t sit in the house. Go for walks, it’s good for you. Writing is an obsessive activity and it’s too…
10 ways to turn those writing resolutions into regular practice
It’s January, and it’s cold and bleak. At this time it’s only natural to feel more motivated to curl up in a duvet and read a good book instead of write one. But there are things you can do to stay on track with your writing resolutions. Here are a few ideas. 1. Start small. Baby…
The Raw Text Word of the Year 2016 is…
Many new words came to prominence in 2016. Those that made the top three for the Raw Text Word of the Year include the ubiquitous portmanteaux ‘Brexiteer‘ and ‘remoaner‘, while others longlisted include ‘bigly‘ (coined by the US President Elect), ‘pussy’ (well, we are cat lovers around here) and ‘Corbynite‘. As a proud example of one,…
Self-proofreading tip # 7: Print your text out
Even if your text is destined for paper, the chances are that at the proofreading stage you’re looking at it on a screen. Because if you’re like me, you started out with a notebook and pen and wrote your ideas out longhand, then went to a computer to type up your ideas. Computers are definitely great for…
What the Winter Solstice has in common with writing
21st December is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. It is on this day that pagans meet at sacred sites, such as Stonehenge, to worship and welcome new sun. After this day, days get longer and more sun is going to come. As pagans celebrate and show reverence, awe and gratitude to the…
Self-proofreading tip #3: Create distance
“It’s not you, it’s me.” That moment in a relationship where one of you has to get away. In this case the one who has to get away is you – from your words. Writing is a relationship between you and your words. And as with any relationship, writing is always a step into the…
Self-proofreading tip #2: Multitasking is out, single-tasking is in
I love this tweet, which I saw the other day and just had to share: Actually, I love editing my own stuff. I find it soothing and rather cathartic…said no writer ever. #editing#writing#writerslife#blerg — Monica Cable (@monicacable) 15 July 2016 Not only will every writer relate to this but although it’s about editing, the same…