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On The Necessity of Turning Oneself into a Character
A few weeks ago, I reread a series of online newspaper columns I’d written in 2011. The writing was clear, informative and grammatically sound, but it was also …boring. Around the same time, I picked up a copy of “To Show and To Tell” by Phillip Lopate*. In this book, dedicated to the craft of […]
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Sitting Down To Write
The first step towards writing anything is deceptively simple. It’s sitting. But it’s not just any sitting. It’s sitting in front of a blank page or screen — the prospect of which can be intimidating. While there are people who can sit down and get right to business, for others it can take time. […]
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Facing The Monster
If you are not discouraged about your writing on a regular basis, you may not be trying hard enough. Any challenging pursuit will encounter frequent patches of frustration. Writing is nothing if not challenging. – Maxwell Perkins Whether we’re seasoned writers or inexperienced newbies, there’s no question that facing the blank page, or even a […]
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Editing Brings Out Your Writing’s Clarity and Power
I’ve always loved exploring the deeper meanings hidden in art, movies and books. Themes pop out, patterns emerge, and I find connections that elude other people. I first used this gift as a film student, and then as a screenwriter, helping peers discover what they were trying to say with their scripts. Later, this gift […]
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Making Connections To Tell Great Stories
I’ve always loved exploring the deeper meanings hidden in art, movies and books. Themes pop out, patterns emerge, and I find connections that elude other people. I first used this gift as a film student, and then as a screenwriter, helping my peers discover what they were trying to say when they felt stuck with […]