I’m still battling with the age-old writers’ conundrum regarding outlining and plotting. It could be that my resistance to outlining stems from quite a few years working as a tech writer. I’ve written a hundred user manuals for numerous software programs and technical procedures, none of which I could have started or completed without an…
Author: Ann Gordon
Brevity
I’ll begin with a John Dryden wrote: “If you be pungent, be brief; for it is with words as with sunbeams – the more they are condensed, the deeper they burn.” Brevity includes the marvelous art of saying more with less. Most people appreciate writers and speakers who know how to be brief. That’s why…
Book Review: Make Every Word Count
The full title of this book is: Make Every Word Count: a guide to writing that works—for fiction and nonfiction by Gary Provost. Gary, an author, speaker, and writing coach, had a unique sense of humor that flavored his writing and speaking. While I’ve often found plowing through a grammar or writing book tedious, Gary…
Developing a Smart Writing Habit
I’ve read that smart goals are relevant, written, specific, measurable, time-keyed, and exciting. I like this list and I’m going to build a habit around it. I experienced some serious soul searching this month when I officially reached old age. Yes, I’ve heard that “old” is relative, but I’m pretty sure it’s true in my…
Starting a ‘Writing Habit’ Isn’t Easy
I’ve reached the point of desperation in my efforts to start and maintain a writing schedule. With the new year, I had hoped to begin writing for a few hours during the early morning, like 8:00 am to 10:30 am, before telemarketers, postmen, emails, and neighbors filled my day. In December, I told myself I…