Archive for May, 2008
Any of you read Anne Lamott’s newest book yet?
I love Anne Lamott’s writing about writing. I thoroughly enjoy her writing about religion and personal faith, too. Her latest book, “Grace (eventually): Thoughts on Faith,” is about religion and her personal faith.
If you’ve read ANYTHING by Anne Lamott, you know calling her “unconventional” is a major understatement. She’s definitely someone who has lived, thought, [...]
Sports fans out there? Here’s a useful website for fans, sports writers, all sports people
Here’s a relatively new but growing website I found for all of us sports fans, with a fitting name — “AddictSports.com,” and a site slogan I love: “Get your daily dose!”.
I’ve been a sports fan most of my life, though I rarely predict game outcomes without my tongue planted firmly in my cheek. My lifelong [...]
Regarding text editors — this is a favorite when not working online
Earlier today I posted my recommendation for WeBuilder 2008 text editing/writing software, discussing the easy way I could edit online, website text with it.
When I’m not working directly on a website online, I have a second text editor I use which I owned before I purchased WeBuilder 2008. That one is EditPad Pro, and you [...]
‘If these pants could talk …’ makes a fun idea for a fun contest for writers
I’ve got a favorite pair of jeans that I’ve just about worn ragged, literally. Since I work from home, I spend a lot of time sitting around in them, strolling around the yard, going back and forth from my writing area to the kitchen for coffee, and occasionally doing some work around the house. I [...]
What’s your favorite writing software for text files?
Text editors are no big deal anymore for writers, are they? Most of the “serious” or finished writing I do is done in Word. I suspect most writers use Word, because so many editors require Word or Word-compatible files.
Yet often, especially when I’m working directly on a website, a good plain text editor is very [...]
One person’s tools may be another’s ‘toys’ — how do you relax, recover from writing sessions?
One person’s tools may be another person’s toys, right? My wife loves to work in our large, somewhat overgrown backyard when she has some spare spring and summer moments — so I bought her a rechargeable electric week whacker for Mothers’ Day. Wasn’t that just special?
(For those of you who are concerned about how we [...]
Amazing story of family of 19 — not really related to writing, just found it amazing
I’m sure you’ve heard of this truly amazing family in Arkansas with 17 kids, haven’t you? In fact, they were on the “Today Show” yesterday (Friday) with the revelation that child number 18 is expected on New Year’s Day. (Part of the humor in the announcement included Mother’s Day presents from the kids. Several of [...]
Repeating a writing tip I gave you some weeks ago: Make ‘wikipedia’ one of your regular online friends
I don’t have any great insight for you here. I’ve mentioned in earlier posts that wikipedia.com is a very quick, easy, and useful writing resource.
I bring it up again today because I just realized I’ve consulted the site myself just today something like four times — and it’s only early afternoon here.
I find myself drawn [...]
Do writers need health insurance just like common mortals? Here’s a useful website for that
If you’re a freelance writer without health insurance, I’m betting that delusions of immortality have nothing to do with the matter. I’m betting that you’re simply unable to afford health insurance and don’t have a “day job” that includes health insurance as a benefit. Been there, done that myself.
Here’s a useful website to help you [...]
Here’s a wealth of research links especially useful for writers
I was trying to recall where I got this link to a great page of Internet research resources for writers. I cannot locate the email or source now. If someone reading this sent it to me, I apologize for losing track, because I would be happy to give you appropriate credit.
Now that the “Disclaimer” is [...]
Attention writers: Let me lead you down the caffeinated snack trail
Breathes there a writer worth his reputation who does NOT take in large quantities of caffeine daily in one form or another? Here’s a useful website and product I wanted to tell you about, my fellow caffeine junkies.
I just read some ad copy for a new snack food, a munchie chip that’s loaded with caffeine. [...]
Number one rule for dealing with issues related to writing style — consistency
My wife, Shirley, is a professional proofreader with about 20-25 years experience in professional proofreading. I’m emphasizing “professional” here because I want you to appreciate her expertise. She spent about 15 years working as a proofreader for a major religious publishing house. She presently does about half-time work for them doing freelance proofreading. She has [...]
Here’s a useful site to learn more about credit reports, credit reporting
There are good credit cards and there are bad credit cards — and there are credit cards for those with good credit and for those with bad credit.
If you’re in the market for a credit card, or simply want help understanding credit scores, credit eligibility, and ways you can help your credit be the best [...]
If you write Internet content, you’ve probably heard all the fuss about ‘duplicate content’
The phrase “duplicate content” strikes fear into bloggers and webmasters throughout the Internet, raising fears that their websites or blogs will be penalized or even outright rejected by the gods of Google and suffer the fate of being ignored worldwide.
So I thought it was worth some discussion here — what is “duplicate content,” is it [...]
How would you explain the difference between memoir and autobiography?
I’m sort of shooting from the hip here, as I’ve never made a study of various writing “genres,” nor had any formal training about the distinction between a memoir and an autobiography. But I’m very interested in both genres and I would love to get a discussion going about autobiographies and memoirs.
My understanding is that [...]
