Descriptive Outlines & Revising for Content and Organization Many writers rely on the organizational value of outlines to organize their thoughts in the initial stages of writing. Outlines can also provide a useful framework to [...]
Perhaps you’ve been told that your writing is wordy or that your heavy phrasing confuses your reader. Most writers face this problem of “overwriting.” However, clear sentences are integral to clarity and facilitating your [...]
“You need a comma here. Also, what does this sentence mean?” I know unclear comments are just a part of getting feedback, but I still do a double-take when I see them. What were you, [...]
Like many, I multi-task throughout the day, juggling various responsibilities at the computer. Today, I’m juggling emails, finishing reports, editing texts, and writing this reflection. If I am not careful, a variety of documents stack [...]
This past week, heavy rain near my house brought the streams to bank-full and sent frantic torrents of brown water lilting downstream to the river. As I drove to work under dripping trees, over glistening [...]
Several years ago, I ran across an essay called My Advice on Writing Advice by David James Duncan. At that time, I had been years deep in an extended study of all the how-to writing [...]
When I finish a draft, I want to hear how a reader reacts to my thinking and the way I’ve expressed it. I know from experience that this feedback will help make my next draft [...]
The best of my writing is marked by a direct, concise style, and yet I confess that it seldom begins that way. In fact, I tend to “overwrite” as I discover what I want to [...]
Recently I came across an article by Stephen Pressfield that reminded me my readers are “donating [their] time and attention, which are supremely valuable commodities." I owe it to them to give something valuable, whether [...]
Keep in mind that the goal of writing proposals is to argue two things: Your project is worth doing. Is it substantial? Is it interesting? Is it original? You are well-prepared to do it. Do [...]
Dissertation Overview The traditional dissertation is organized into 5 chapters and includes the following elements and pages: Title page (aka cover page) Signature page (aka committee page but without signatures) Copyright page (strongly recommended [...]
Starting a writing group is a very good way to keep you connected and supported during what can be an isolating act of writing. The scheduled meetings should be frequent enough to keep the writing momentum going—a [...]
