The typical school writing assignment involves working in a way that no real writer does.
Read MoreIf you learnt how to write well at school, maybe you're lucky
writing
A remarkable achievement: a shout-out to underconfident writers who do it anyway
in Reflections
The most difficult thing for a saxophone learner to do is open the case and pick up the instrument every day.
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Juice, by Terry Freedman
In the next issue of Write!
In the next issue of my creative nonfiction newsletter for writers, I’ll be covering book writing, translating and the corporate mindset, as well as reviewing seven books for writers.
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Fodder, by Terry Freedman
The point of pointless writing (Updated)
What’s the point of doing exercise or yoga? The answer is, usually, to keep yourself generally fit and toned up. Unless you’re preparing for an athletic event, there is no specific or direct point to any of it.
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Writer, by Terry Freedman
National Writing Day 2022: resources, reviews and tips
It’s the 23rd June 2022, and this year’s National Writing Day. Here are links to reviews of useful books about writing, resources for use in schools (some are good for adults too!) and top tips (ditto).
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If you think it, write it. Photo = Reflections, by Elaine Freedman
Writing for the sake of writing
Dr Johnson said that nobody but a blockhead ever wrote for anything except money. I have a great deal of sympathy with this view, but I don’t altogether agree with it.
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Rules, by Terry Freedman. I thought this sign is a reasonable analogy to the likely rules in a post-lockdown world.
Writing during Covid
in News & views
Do you read people’s writings about covid? I don’t, if I can help it.
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Click to see the book on Amazon UK (affiliate link)
Review of Teach Like a Writer
This book aims to change that by providing insights into the writing process from several very different genres.
Read MoreReview of Why They Can't Write
Does the enormous amount of help that teachers give to students to help them learn how to write, help them to learn how to write?
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Click the pic to see the book on Amazon UK. (Amazon affiliate link.)
Book review: Bird By Bird
It's not often one comes across a book which purports to contain instructions on both writing and life. Does the concept work?
Read MoreHow to not write without feeling guilty
When does not writing count as writing?
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Aching feet, by Terry Freedman
An unexpected benefit of everything closing
Some ideas about what to do if you’re stuck at home because of Covid-19-related advice regarding social contact.
Read MoreReflections On Covid-19 and Writing: Endings And Some Practical Tips
Here are some practical things a writer can do in the current (Covid-19) circumstances.
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Lloyds Building, London, by Terry Freedman
My non-writing writing day
Not every day for the writer has to involve actual writing.
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Stickie note, by Terry Freedman
A great idea for notes, from James Joyce
in News & views
James Joyce had an interesting way of making notes for Ulysses.
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Ogam inscription on a stone seen at the British Museum. Photo by Terry Freedman
Writing, but not as we know it
in Bits & bobs, Language
Have you ever heard of Ogam? Me neither. This article gives provides some information about this ancient writing system.
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A printing press at the British Library
The Caxton Printing Press in action
As far as I’m concerned, it’s important for writers to become acquainted with other aspects of their craft, and to explore areas that are not immediately perceived to be “relevant”.
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Girl in black leather jacket. Photo from Pexels. Licence: CC0
10 note-taking apps for writers
in How to, Reviews, Technology, Reference
How can you remember all those ideas you have or snippets of conversation you hear while out and about? These ten note-taking approaches should help.
Read MoreReview of Baking with Kafka, by Tom Gauld
Baking with Kaka is a great book, especially if you're a writer and an avid reader.
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My writing/publishing process
My preferred method when it comes to writing books won't appeal to everyone, but I thought it might be of interest to some writers. It's based on the principal of specialisation of labour -- the 'labour' in this case being computer applications rather than people.
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