Neil Gaiman on character, motivation and plot
The next [building block of story] is the characters. Who are they? What do they want? I’m going to harp on a lot about what… Read More »Neil Gaiman on character, motivation and plot
writing
The process
This is the process: Do some work. Just start. Work on it until the excitement of fresh ideas crumbles on contact with reality into the… Read More »The process
The practice school
This is the PRACTICE school of writing. Like running, the more you do it, the better you get at it. Some days you don’t want… Read More »The practice school
FAD: perfecting practice
The twelve week year didn’t work out for DC or its offspring, the Bookadile, but the practice of writing every day has held up well.… Read More »FAD: perfecting practice
Tim Ferriss on negotiation, using writing to think, specialisation and some other stuff
These brief videos are worth watching: On negotiation On using writing to help you think On “vanity metrics” and creating worthwhile content On specialisation vs… Read More »Tim Ferriss on negotiation, using writing to think, specialisation and some other stuff
Ben Dreyer on Good Writing and the Nonrules of English
Here’s rather a long extract – one I heartily agree with – to wet your whistle. Then go and get the book. I have nothing… Read More »Ben Dreyer on Good Writing and the Nonrules of English
Recommendation: Dreyer’s English
I could spend a long time typing out great lines from this book: it’s helpful, funny, and contains just the right amount of snark.* If… Read More »Recommendation: Dreyer’s English
Responsive (3): Good tone
Outside a close circle of family and friends, the voice you respond in is rarely (just) your own – it’s also the voice of your… Read More »Responsive (3): Good tone
Just one chapter
If you could write a book – any kind of book – with a group of other people, who would they be? What would the… Read More »Just one chapter
Tim Ferriss on improving your public speaking
Here are a couple of useful tips from Tim Ferriss on episode #394: 1. Record yourself talking This is true for skill improvement whether it’s… Read More »Tim Ferriss on improving your public speaking