Some months ago, I wrote about the single most useful technological “wonder” (besides a pen or pencil) I have as a writer — my little AlphaSmart “Neo.” (I had their earlier version, the “3000,” but I quickly sold it online when I got the improved version, the “Neo.”) Here’s a picture of the little jewel:
Read more on You want a tremendously useful writing tool? Find yourself an AlphaSmart ‘Neo’…
My remarks about blogging today may sound a little like the old line, “Just fake it ’til you get it right” — but that’s not really what I mean when I suggest your passion for a subject should overrule your lack of knowledge when it comes to blogging.
Read more on Tip: Blog about what you love, even if you don’t ‘know’ much about it…
It amazes me the number of truly literate writers who use the word “then,” when they really meant to use the word “than.” You know what I’m talking about: “I would rather run screaming from the room then see that misuse again.”
Read more on If you’re like me, then you’ve seen too much of then and not enough use of than…
I’ve got a question here for those of you who hang around this site regularly: Do you belong to any sort of writers’ group? Is it an online community or something you attend/visit in person?
Read more on Have you found value in writing groups, either online or offline?…
It’s been called the “information Superhighway,” but I’ll bet that most of us barely scratch the surface of information and research tools available online when we do our writing. I invite you to share your favorites with all of us.
Read more on Do you use Internet reference tools? What are some of your favorites?…
One of the great mysteries I find about running blogs is that some people register using obviously false names and email addresses. And usually those usernames and/or email addresses are something p*rn*gr*aphic or at least sp*mmy.
Read more on Why do people sign up for a blog using some idiotic, spammy name?…
If you think about it, the best part about writing is the joy of rewriting.
Oh, I know rewriting can be very hard. As hard as it might be to get something written down on the page — whether a paper page or virtual page — it can become downright harsh trying to turn it into coherent content when you rewrite. Some of us are too impatient (“Lord, give me patience — and give it to me NOW.”) to really enjoy the experience. Some of us just sort of cringe when we read what we’ve written, making it hard to rewrite.
Read more on Rewriting can be a thing of joy and beauty, or … you can make it feel that way…
If you’ve been hanging around the Internet since Al Gore invented it (it’s a JOKE, people), you might remember how exciting it was to write and put up your first web page. I do. I shunned the many “free” hosting sites and actually paid for a domain name and webhosting space. By today’s standards, it cost me a fortune — $35 to register the domain for a year and $25 a month to host it. (Today I pay $8-$9 to register a domain and $30 a month for enough web space to host dozens of sites.)
Read more on Writing for the Internet? Learn to think ‘multi-media’…
I’m sure most bloggers already know the fundamental warning about “MFA” sites — beware of turning your blog into one.
For those of you who don’t know the acronym, an “MFA” site or blog is a “made for AdSense” site. In other words, it is a blog or website which exists primarily to draw people who will click on AdSense ads, making money for the blog owner/webmaster for each AdSense click. For instance, a few years ago it was all the rage among bloggers to create sites built around the key word “mesothelioma,” because people advertising through Google’s AdWords program were willing to pay huge amounts of money to get their ads related to that particular form of cancer shown prominently on Google.
Read more on Heads-up for new bloggers: Beware of ‘MFA’ approach…
I’ve touched on the importance of correct grammar and usage in many of my posts here, and I will do my best to use and to advocate good grammar wherever English is written or spoken. But I think it’s important to clarify something related to grammar and the nature of writing.
Read more on Don’t be a ‘grammar cop’; make communication your writing priority…
If you’ve been writing copy for a website or posting to a blog very long at all, you know the significance of using key words to draw traffic. The “art and science” of getting Internet search engines to send visitors to your blog or website is generally known by the term “Search Engine Optimization” — or SEO for short.
Read more on Key words are important to draw traffic to your website or blog…
This is sort of a personal note, based on a milestone in my life this last week. I was reminded again that it’s time to quit procrastinating and get more serious about the writing goals I’ve had in my life. You might say my “biological clock” is ticking (do men really even have those biological clocks??) — I went online this week and applied for Social Security Retirement Benefits.
Read more on Personal note: Time to get serious about writing goals…
(Editor’s Note: This is another “recycled” post, one of the “golden oldies” of the blog which I’m bringing back to the top of the blog to feature their content again for those who haven’t been around here too long. Enjoy.)
Read more on Do you use WordPress? I just reviewed an upcoming ebook about WordPress…
I’ve always been amazed at the wide variety of jobs and specializations that are available for writers and editors. As a freelancer myself, I’ve taken on a number of writing jobs. One of the most challenging types of writing I’ve ever heard about is that of technical writers.
Read more on Any technical writers out there? Tell us about your job…
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This post is sort of a “golden oldie,” since I originally posted it in March 2007. It was among the posts I lost with The Crash in December 2007. I found a copy and wanted to have it “on record,” so I’ve done a bit of rewriting — and here it is.)
Read more on If only it were up to me! I’d banish exclamation marks!!…
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