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.
Peek-a-boo goldfinch!
I’m not really a reader of fiction, but I have to admire the book cover design of “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tart. The illustrated tear with the goldfinch peeking out is reportedly one of the most Instagramed book covers in 2013. With a hefty 771 pages, the novel has been described as “Dickensian” with positive … Continue reading
Candy Crush Saga is a lot like a pinball machine
Okay, I’ll admit it–I’ve played the game called Candy Crush Saga. I’m not proud; the game is an addictive time-waster. The casual game was developed by a London-based company called King and launched on smartphones in 2012. The game requires the user to mix and match colored candies to earn points or bonuses. According to … Continue reading
10 of the Greatest Essays on Writing Ever Written
This is a pretty neat list of essays on writing by writers.
Oxford English Dictionary (OED) birthday word generator
Which English words originated in your birthday year? The folks at Oxford English Dictionary (OED) have researched the first known usage of words from 1900 to 2004. Check out your birthday word on their website here. Mine was “mockney.” Who knew?
New York Times Quiz for Dialect
My mother, who had a Ph.D. in English linguistics, used to say that she listened to a linguist on the radio pre-World War II. The host of the show would have callers recite a list of words and guess their U.S. geographic origin based on dialect. Apparently, the man was quite accurate and the show … Continue reading
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
Letters from Sandy Hook – Newtown to the World
When I received an email from Suzanne Davenport in early summer 2013 that described her ambitious project to compile a book based on how Newtowners felt after 12/14, I admired her courage. Suzanne and I met as volunteers in the Newtown Volunteer Task Force Call Center where we received and returned phone calls and emails … Continue reading
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