Writing

What it takes to sell your book

Oh, the horror!

Jul 15 •

I cured my writer’s block with the greatest writer’s retreat in the world.

Good news: you already qualify. Bad news: You might get seasick.

Jul 12 •

For a great speech or essay, try the Pith & Comet.

It’s just 40 words and a tail.

Jul 7 •

To tell a story, put a camera on a cat.

Write these special effects to yank your audience into the scene.

Mar 4 •

A virgin field pregnant with possiblities!

“Verbal awareness” offers protection from knocking up your own prose.

Feb 27 •

Words that sit in a happy place between Woke and Maga.

Archaisms are antiques with a patina of neutrality.

Feb 20 •

Can "They" be a person?

The Hobson's choice between a confusing pronoun and sexism.

Jan 27 •

To tell a story, tie and untie.

It's way better than the boring "and then..."

Jan 13 •

The fantods of dank beldams and other bijou words

Would sympathy for an empath make you gladsome?

Jan 6 •

The addictive figure that sold us all on junk food

Advertisers rely on the paean, a candy-coated, highly addictive war cry. You can use it to stop eating junk!

Dec 19, 2024 •

Do small words beat big ones?

Most people consider simple language more truthful. That’s a fallacy we all can use.

Dec 16, 2024 •

To write a speech, write a phrase.

Your audience won’t remember your speech, but they’ll leave with your thought.

Dec 12, 2024 •

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