Latest Blog Posts
The power of storytelling
The more I read about how to improve one’s writing, the more I come back around to storytelling. It’s the heart and soul. Stories are everyone, just stop and think about it for a minute. When you get together with family friends, for instance, what... read more
Write what you want
As I’ve said before, we’re all writers to some degree or another. We write emails, we fill out applications or forms asking various questions, we review stuff on Yelp or Amazon. Many more spend hours at work crafting documents related to whatever business... read more
One word in front of the other
What are you writing about? Whether it’s a short story or business document, what is it that you’re trying to communicate? What is your point? What is your story? In some ways these should be easy questions to answer. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always... read more
Finding inspiration: an easy writing exercise using books
As I’ve said before, when you’re feeling blocked, or simply don’t know what to write about, it’s time to put the pen down and seek inspiration. The good news is that there are points of inspiration all around you. One trick that has worked for... read more
Can’t decide? When making decisions, remember that inaction is still a ‘choice’
Do you have trouble making decisions? Join the club. No matter if you’re just a person at home in front of a blank piece of paper, or the President of the United States, we all have trouble now and again making decisions. Frankly, sometimes there are just too... read more
Is every word necessary?
When the writing process is just beginning, writers should write freely. That means setting judgements aside, opening your mind, and allowing ideas and words to flow uninterrupted. If you start to edit your copy or change too many words at this stage, the writing... read more
Three simple writing tips to get you started
Type “writing tips” into Google, and you’ll find plenty. More than you can probably digest in a single sitting, and certainly more than you need to get started. So let’s pare down and focus on just a few. After all, cutting out unnecessary... read more
Finding inspiration, it’s closer than you think
Inspiration can be a roadblock to writers, both aspiring and professional. We’re always waiting for that ‘perfect moment,’ that ‘perfect vision.’ It’s like the clouds will part, and that vision of glory will unfold before us, then... read more
How to get started
So you want to improve your writing skills. That’s great! Setting that as a goal is a good thing. But now…where to start? How to start? What is the road ahead? Let’s start by…starting. By writing. Anything, whatever comes to mind. Open the... read more
Where have all the English majors gone?
I read a piece in the New York Times earlier this summer about English majors. Titled “The Decline and Fall of the English Major,” it was written by a nonfiction writing teacher who pointed out that the number of English majors has drastically declined in... read moreAbout
What is your voice?