Why shouldn’t nonfiction writing be as well-crafted, interesting, even exciting as fiction?
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Me reflecting on stuff. Photo by Elaine Freedman
I don't only write about writing!
I write about literature, life in general, odd things that have happened, the odd bit of fiction, experimental writing.
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Review of How to be a writer, by Marcus Berkmann
The life of a freelance writer is one of unreliable remuneration, shifting loyalties and sudden endings, as this book makes abundantly clear.
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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.
Read MoreThe value of low-paying gigs (updated)
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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Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
Three memorable meetings
It’s a very rare occasion that finds me attending a large-scale meeting. In my experience, quite often nothing gets done as a result of it.
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books to be reviewed by Terry Freedman
What's the point of book reviews -- updated with further thoughts
in News & views
So many authors think they ought to be the recipient of the Nobel prize for literature.
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Click to see this on the publisher’s website
Two reviews for the price of one! Engineering in Plain Sight
in Bookshelf
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below is what the magazine published.
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Click to see this book on the publisher’s website
Two reviews for the price of one! Climate Change for Dummies
in Bookshelf
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below is what the magazine published.
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Click to see this book on the publisher’s website
Two reviews for the price of one! Story Machines
in Bookshelf
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote!
Read MoreMy Queen and I
in News & views, Moments
A personal tribute.
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Click to see this book on the publisher’s website
Two for the price of one: Reviews of No Excuses Turning around one of Britain’s toughest schools
in Bookshelf
Written mainly in the form of a diary, this is an account of how Colwell’s headship changed the culture of a community’s school.
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Please click on the cover to see this book on the publisher’s website
Two Book Reviews for the price of one! Futureproof: A Comprehensive Framework For Teaching Digital Citizenship In Schools
in Bookshelf
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote!
Read MoreBook review: Brave New World -- the graphic novel
in Bookshelf
I submitted my review of this book to Teach Secondary magazine, an educational magazine in the UK. The first review below is what the magazine published. The second one is what I actually wrote!
Read MoreWhat's the point of book reviews?
in News & views, Reviews
I should have thought that part of the purpose of a book review is to tell potential readers whether the book is actually any good or not.
Read MoreStyle matters
If a piece of writing is too self-conscious, if it’s basically shouting “Hey, look at me. Isn’t this a fine piece of writing?” I lose interest. And I’m in good company: Trollope felt the same way.
Read MoreEssay for an advanced literary course
One of the things we should all do as writers is study other people's works to try to discern how they achieved particular effects, or how they use language. It's known as 'close reading'.
Read MoreFeedback From A Course Called Writing The Oulipo
in Oulipo
The Oulipo is a writing movement that uses constraints to produce ‘potential literature’.
Read MoreBlogging: not dead yet
Every so often I read a blog post or a ‘commentary’ on Twitter by some self-appointed guru or other saying that blogging is passé.
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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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