Flouting Rules Is Not a Writing Style Choice. It's Just Lazy Writing.

I’ve written online for nine years, published print pieces, taught writing, mentored fledgling writers, penned writing tutorials and maintained writing blogs. I think a lot about writing! It's how I make my living. And today I want to address a concern about writing style: what it is and what it is not. There’s a misconception that spelling and grammar are make-it-up-as-you-go. Would-be writers have told me (in response to suggestions on writing) “I’m not a rule follower. That cramps my style. I just write how I feel.” Great. But Flouting Rules Is Not a Writing Style (read more)

Writing for the Web 101 News Burnout Depression

 I've made a living writing online. Many kindly congratulate, others express envy. Don't. Writing for major news sources, isn't all it's cracked up to be. You write about the best, but mostly the worst of humanity. We reporters are called "vultures." Sometimes I feel like it, picking over sad wrecks of lives for an angle. If you would freelance, you have to develop thick skin and a strong stomach.  Writing for the Web 101 News Depression

Writing Humorous Narrative: Animals Don't Like My Son, Except Armadillos

Do you need to write a funny vignette or narrative type 2? Here's an example I wrote. "Our oldest son has a bad track record with animals. He was gored by a Vietnamese potbelly pig at a petting zoo when he (son, not pig) was three. Fortunately his tusks had been trimmed (pig's not son's)." Read on.   Son Does Not Get on With Animals, Except Armadillos