Grammar Rules: Further vs. Farther
Believe it or not, the words further and farther have different meanings, although people tend to use them interchangeably. And it’s no surprise, because these two words look and sound similar, and the difference in meaning is subtle. Plus there are a few circumstances when they are legitimately interchangeable. Let’s solve the further vs. farther…Read More
How to Harvest Creative Writing Ideas from the News
Creative people are always looking for inspiration, and writers are no exception. We look to the people in our lives, to nature, and to the books, music, and films that we love. We call on our muses, we doodle, and we daydream. We record our dreams, meditate, and contemplate. And we do all these things…Read More
Whose Writing Advice Should You Follow?
Some writing experts say, “Write what you know.” Others say, “Make it up as you go.” Some say, “Write by the seat of your pants.” Other say, “No! Start with an outline.” With so much contradictory writing advice floating around out there, what’s a writer to do? Know Your Goals First and foremost, the writing…Read More
Is Writing Always Fun?
People have different reasons for writing. For some, it’s a hobby. For others, it’s a livelihood. For most, it’s a hobby they dream of turning into a livelihood. It’s a worthwhile dream, and a lofty one too. But what does it take to get there? How much fun will you have, and just how much…Read More
How to Improve Your Writing Skills
Today’s post features excerpts from 10 Core Practices for Better Writing. These excerpts are from “Chapter Five: Skills.” Enjoy! Writing Skills When we talk about writing skills, we usually think of the basics: the ability to write sentences and paragraphs correctly with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. But a lot more than that goes into…Read More
How to Find Writing Inspiration When Your Muse is on Vacation
Have you ever sat down to start a new writing project only to find yourself sitting there, hours later, staring idly at the blank page? Writing inspiration doesn’t always come easily. In an ideal world, we always look forward to the blank page, a fresh canvas we can color with ideas and texture with language….Read More
Talent Isn’t Everything
Every writer hopes for talent, but what is talent, exactly? Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary offers several definitions: a special often athletic, creative, or artistic aptitude. general intelligence or mental power: ability the natural endowments of a person Talent gives people an edge or a head start. With talent, you can learn faster and perform better. Success isn’t…Read More
Punctuation Marks: The Colon
The colon is one of the most clearly-defined punctuation marks. It occasionally acts as a stand-in for a comma or period (though when one of these other punctuation marks will do, the colon is unnecessary). Most commonly, the colon functions as an introductory punctuation mark, notifying the reader that the forthcoming information supports, explains, or…Read More
Creative Writing, Art, and Commerce
What is art? People have been trying to answer that question for centuries, but we still don’t have a definitive answer. We know art is borne of creativity. It’s meant to impact whoever is experiencing it. And it comes from a place within the artist that we don’t truly understand. Art remains a mystery, both…Read More
Eight Characteristics of Good Writing
How important is it for a writer to be able to discern the difference between good writing and bad writing? Pretty important, if you ask me. I know some writers aren’t concerned with quality. In today’s do-it-yourself and get-it-done-fast world, quality plays second fiddle to quantity. Who cares if your books are full of typos,…Read More
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