Blog

The semicolon [;], not to be confused with the colon [:]. It's more than just part of the winky face emoticon [;)]. It's a punctuation mark you can use to enhance and clarify your writing. Here's how: 1) Use the semicolon between two complete ideas relevant to the same topic. You might be thinking, can't I just put a period at the end of...

As a beginning knitter, I was recently introduced to the concept of lifelines, which help knitters avoid having to start over when they make mistakes. And I thought, I bet we can apply this concept to writing, too. Here are three ways to create lifelines for yourself as a writer: 1) Surround yourself with support. First, let's step away from the notion that...

Poetry Magazine Poetry Magazine is a publication run by the Poetry Foundation. They pull from a variety of genres and they accept new authors and previously published authors alike. The magazine pays decently too! You must submit on their submission portal online. Their deadlines are ongoing as they publish every month, so no need to scramble! Find out more information here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/submit The Common...

Like most writers, you probably experience low motivation sometimes. You find that once you get started, the writing flows, but getting started is the problem. So, why not try one of these motivation boosters? Read The Tiny Book of Tiny Pleasures by Irene Smit and Astrid van der Hulst I recently checked out this book to remind myself of the little things in life...

Imagine you’re in middle school, and you are practicing the torturous art of reading aloud. You come across the word “vehemently.” You say “veHEmently” as you have always said it in your head, since you have only ever read it. The class giggles and you look around confused. Your error, of course, is that you said it wrong. It’s more like...

When you're stuck with your writing, coming up with a sentence seems to take an eternity. You try so hard, but you're defeated by that blank screen or sheet of paper. As you try harder, your mind starts to wander. What you need is a break. So, next time writer's block strikes, try walking around your neighborhood for a bit, or...

People keep journals for many reasons: to record their daily lives, focus on gratitude, work through complex emotions and issues, and the list goes on. So, a journal can be a useful tool for anyone. Here's how journaling can help you as a writer:   1) It's a low-pressure writing situation. Even composing a text or email can be nerve-wracking because you're writing it...