Category: Tips for Writers

July 5, 2013

Tips for Writers: Conferences and Residencies

A friend just wrote and asked me if I knew of a list of writers conferences and residencies. The best one I know of…
May 28, 2013

Tips for Writers: Talk to People

This isn’t a writing tip, exactly. It’s more of a marketing tip, and one that I expect many writers will find hard to follow….
May 21, 2013

Tips for Writers: Use Sentence Fragments Sparingly

I had been reading a draft story by a young writer who had fallen into a pattern of using sentence fragments. It was a…
May 13, 2013

Tips for Writers: Like vs. As if

I’ve been seeing a lot confusion over the difference between like and as if lately. I used to see it all the time when…
March 29, 2013

Tips for Writers: Being a Good Literary Citizen

This morning, a writer friend of mine posted some nice words on Facebook about my book, What the Zhang Boys Know. I appreciated his comments,…
March 20, 2013

Tips for Writers: She shrugged

I frequently encounter this sentence in the work of both students and would-be contributors to my magazine: “She shrugged her shoulders.” With student work,…
February 2, 2013

Tips for Writers: Blond vs. Blonde

I’ve been having a rather unpleasant argument on my Facebook page today. Here’s how it began. While editing a story for Prime Number Magazine…
January 23, 2013

Guest Post: Midge Raymond

5 Ways to Write When You’re Not Really Writing By Midge Raymond We are often told that, as writers, we are supposed to sit…
December 15, 2012

Tips for Writers: New Year Resolutions

I haven’t had the most productive writing year, for a variety of reasons (i.e., excuses). I’m determined to do better in 2013. It’s time,…
December 7, 2012

Tips for Writers: In Progress (What the heck does that mean?)

It’s been some time since I posted a new Tip for Writers. Sorry about that. I guess I’ve been busy. Today’s tip is prompted…