What is the 'correct' style for a blog post? Indeed, is there a correct style?
Read MoreThe right way to write blog posts?
in News & views
News & views
Egos are us?
I attended an authors’ conference a few years ago, and I have never been in a room with so many egos.
Read MoreThe new definition of "cosmetic"
We writers have a duty to do what we can to preserve the dignity of the language in which we work.
Read MoreThe get-rich-quick itch (Updated)
I would love to be able to write blog posts or conduct my social media affairs in such a way that I became an overnight sensation, as verified by an astronomical rise in my bank balance. But…
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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.
Read More7 characteristics of good writers (Updated)
What do good writers have that bad writers don't?
Read MoreThe perils of writing software manuals (Updated)
Writing software manuals or books, or even mini tutorials on how to do something in a particular program comes with a huge occupational hazard.
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Books (cartooned) by Terry Freedman
Coming soon in Terry Freedman's Books Bulletin
Terry Freedman’s Books Bulletin is short and sweet, and free. The new issue is going to come out tomorrow, 24 December 2021.
Read MoreUsing art for inspiration
in News & views, Archives
I’ve come across lots of books, apps and websites with writing prompts. I don’t think any of them have mentioned looking at paintings. I find that to be quite inspirational, in the sense of inspiring me to write reviews (which I don’t always publish).
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Write! Official Issue #1 out soon!
The next issue of the free newsletter Write! will be sent out today, Thursday 16th December 2021. This is officially the first issue — the previously distributed one was a sample product. This is what the issue contains….
Read MoreFake news and media literacy
in News & views
Much of the narrative about fake news seems to take the view that fake news is peddled by outlets other than mainstream media, that if mainstream media do produce fake news it’s either accidental or because the “journalism” is rubbish, and that basically it’s up to the rest of us to make sure we’re not fooled.
Read MoreWhy are positive reviews so boring?
It’s a sad fact of life that the most entertaining reviews are the ones that are highly critical of the thing being reviewed.
Read MoreBooks Unseen: All of the Marvels
Apparently, the author of this book took on the gargantuan task of reading through 27,000 Marvel comics (which sounds exactly like the sort of job I’ve been looking for!).
Read MoreThe best length of a blog post
in News & views
Which of the following broad categories “should” your blog posts fall into?
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Just some of the fonts available at dafont.com
Handwriting on your blog
So, you’d like to use a handwriting font on your website or blog? It’s pretty easy, but you ought to think about the impression you want to create. And perhaps use it sparingly.
Read MoreRecalling my Discovery of Sherman Alexie
in News & views, Reviews
I always try to follow my intuition. Thus it was that, with deadlines pressing on me, and pressure from all sides, I decided to ignore my intellectual protestations and listen to my inner voice.
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Swearing, by Terry Freedman
Why swearing in writing or speaking is (usually) very ill-judged (Updated)
Gratuitous swearing usually adds nothing to a piece of writing or a talk. It’s unpleasant to listen to, and probably has unfortunate consequences for the offender.
Read MoreCourse: Writing for Blogs: A Taster 2021
My upcoming course on blogging is not a technical course, meaning that if you want to know how to set up a blog on Wordpress or something, this course is not for you.
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£10 note, by Terry Freedman
The value of low-paying gigs
in News & views
The next time you’re offered the opportunity to write for a periodical that doesn’t pay as much as you’d like, don’t just dismiss it out of hand.
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Earnings spreadsheet, by Terry Freedman
The key criterion of a writer’s success (Updated)
How do you know if you are, objectively speaking, a success as a writer?
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