As writers, much of our success depends on the quality and quantity of our ideas. if your idea well is running dry, try these tips for filling it back up:
1. Play a game. I’ve mentioned this tip on the blog before: Open your dictionary to a random page, close your eyes, and randomly choose a …
An editor sent me this press release today…I hope she wasn’t trying to tell me something about my grammar skills! 
Purdue University’s online writing lab receives millions of visitors a year, and here are the questions people most frequently ask. People may be surprised to learn it’s not just students asking questions. Our …
Aug 15, 2007 Cool tools, News you can use, Writing
Susan asks: I had a phone interview for a new writing opportunity and the client never called me. Now I realize I should have asked for his number in advance, but should I delicately email him saying “gee, I thought we had an appointment”? Or should I write him off as unreliable, someone I wouldn’t …
Aug 14, 2007 Advice, You Ask, We Answer
Many print magazines (especially consumer magazines) work at least six months ahead, meaning in spring or summer, editors are thinking about Christmas — not beach fun. Buy a cheap wall calendar and enter in all the holidays and events — except enter them in six to nine months ahead. So on one square in June, …
Diana’s post Say No, Dammit came at the perfect time. I went to the doctor two weeks ago after going through bouts of severe stomach and head pain for several months. After doing some medical tests, asking about my lifestyle, and making me keep a food log for two weeks, the doc determined that the …
Aug 9, 2007 Personal yammerings, Rants
