When should you use bullet points, and when numbers? And when checkboxes? Read on to find out.
Read MoreHandy hints
How I prepared for one of my courses
On the 8th June I’ll be teaching a course called Creative Writing with Constraints. (Note the word “constraints”, not “restraints”.) This article outlines how I prepared for it.
Read MoreUsing codes when note-taking -- republished with discussion
You might think that recording an interview, and then transcribing it using an app like Otter, would be much faster than writing everything down at the time.
Read MoreHow I earned $9000 from a free paper
Not many writers can make a living solely from their writing. (Figures released this month in the UK put the figure at only 19%.) Therefore, think creatively of other ways to make money.
Read MoreThe point of pointless writing (Updated)
Ideas for making your blog work for you (revisited)
This post from 2014 is still relevant, not least for the ‘90 tips’ article referenced within it. Enjoy.
Read MoreThe Carrot2 Search Engine Revisited
The Carrot2 search engine can be a useful alternative to Google.
Read MoreGetting your ideas down
Did Samuel Pepys, for example, carry a quill and an inkwell around with him?
Read MoreCategories or tags? Or both?
It was hard enough to pluck up the courage to start your own blog, and now all of a sudden you have discovered there are things called categories and tags. What are they?
Read MoreDo exercise to be creative
Fortunately, I don’t suffer from writers’ block. I do, however, sometimes suffer from lack of inspiration.
Read MoreBash it out
Maybe it’s just me, but if, after a whole morning’s work doing research and reading, all I have written down is a title (and probably a working title, at that), I feel that I haven’t done any work.
Read MoreThe need for more intensive proofreading
Those people who implore us to always have someone else proofread a piece of writing are, annoyingly, completely correct.
Read MoreUsing codes when note-taking
You might think that recording an interview, and then transcribing it using an app like Otter, would be much faster than writing everything down at the time.
Read More7 things that every serious blogger should do
If you're going to blog, please don't disrespect your reader by publishing non-proofed copy, verbose (aka pompous) writing, gratuitous swearing, incorrect words and other horrors that could easily be avoided.
Read MoreThe basics of good technical writing
Technical writing may not sound like the most exciting thing in the world, but (a) there’s a great need for it and (b) a huge degree of satisfaction is gained from writing user manuals that ordinary mortals can understand.
Read MorePlain Speaking - 4 Secrets For Getting Your Book Purchased
What can be more infuriating to a potential purchaser of a non-fiction book than chapter headings which give no clue as to their contents?
Read MoreBlogging: Categories and tags
While I was walking, or having a swim, or doing my version of a workout in the gym, it all suddenly made sense. Categories! Tags! Of course! (Editor’s voice: enough of the exclamation marks already.)
Read MoreAnatomy of a blog post
What are the elements of a typical blog post, and why are they useful?
Read More7 ways to get ideas for blog posts
Fortunately, I don’t often suffer from writer’s block — my problem is more often a lack of time in which to write what I’d like to. But if you are stumped for what to write or, like me, you sometimes wish to publish something without having to spend hours on it, here are some ideas you might wish to consider. They have all worked very well for me.
Read MoreOn this day #5: The perfect blog post?
I am not sure whether all of this would work for every kind of blog and every kind of audience, but it has a few interesting suggestions.
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