Check out the Telegraph’s January 12, 2014 article titled “Scientists find secret to writing a best-selling novel.” By analyzing words and grammar, an algorithm can predict success with 84% accuracy.
Filed under Writing …
10 of the Greatest Essays on Writing Ever Written
This is a pretty neat list of essays on writing by writers.
A “smart” pen for writers – Livescribe 3 smartpen
I came across the “Livescribe 3 smartpen” in a technology magazine the other day. Made by Livescribe, the pen records handwritten text and pictures from (special) paper to a smartphone or tablet. Write on “Livescribe dot paper” using this special pen and the same thing appears in electronic form on the smartphone or tablet. … Continue reading
NPR – The Art (and Glut) of Memoir
The Colin McEnroe NPR talk show broadcast “The Art (and Glut) of Memoir” in January 2012. The link includes a short article and the roughly 49-minute audio. The host discusses the memoirs that have made it to the bestseller list (all by celebrities), whether “memoir” is prestigious or simply a dirty word, and some writing … Continue reading
Poets & Writers magazine publishes a list of books for writers
I found a copy of the 1998 version of “On Writing Well,” while rummaging around used books at the local library. I’ve been looking for books on creative writing, convinced that I can learn most of the tricks of the trade without shelling out big bucks for an MFA. When I held up … Continue reading
NY Times Opinionator – “When Writers Expose the Dead”
Great opinion piece by author Ken Budd in the November 30, 2013 NY Times called “When Writers Expose the Dead.” How do we handle the painful truth in our memoirs? Budd answers.
Caught in a writer’s web–painting the barn
Having moved from California back to my hometown of Newtown, CT, a few months ago, I find myself writing a few more updates to friends than usual in the form of personal emails or Facebook posts. My California friends want to know what I’m doing and it’s hard to connect regularly by phone when there … Continue reading
A son writes his father’s story – “Prisoner of War Number 2378”
For three and a half years, Kenneth Stroud of the RAF was a Japanese POW during World War II, having been captured when Japan conquered Singapore and imprisoned on an Indonesian island. Ever since then, he’s lived with the memories of hunger, illness, and the brutality of a particularly cruel enemy. Amazingly, he harbors no … Continue reading
There’s no substitute for a paper manuscript!
I’m not proud of it, but I’ve gone to the copy shop twice this week to get a paper version of my manuscript printed. At 400 pages and $0.10/page, it cost $40 to print once – yikes! Why can’t I just learn to edit on the computer? It just seems easier on paper. I can … Continue reading
A Master Class in Reading at the Newtown Arts Festival
I recently attended the reading of a new play by Jan Neuberger at the Newtown Arts Festival. The three-character cast sat/stood on stage with music stands to hold their scripts. The play was great, but I was more impressed with the actor and actresses who “read” their parts. To me, it seemed as if they … Continue reading
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