The two most powerful words in nonfiction writing: “for example”

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Nonfiction writing is filled with generalizations and blanket advice. It’s inevitable: if you are drawing big conclusions, you’re going to make broadly applicable statements. To ground those conclusion, you must be specific. And the easiest way to do that is with an example. My first book (65,000 words) included 104 instances of “for example.” My … Continued

Don’t teach writing. Teach the joy of writing.

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The objective of teaching students to write is not to ensure they create content that can be graded. It is to get them to engage with language and storytelling. This is not a new story. Students learn arithmetic even though there are calculators and spreadsheets. They learn spelling even though there are spelling checkers. And … Continued

Ethan Mollick required his students to use ChatGPT. Their experience is a model for the future.

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Ethan Mollick, associate professor at Penn’s Wharton School, required his students to use the AI writing tool ChatGPT in his classes last semester. You should definitely check out his description of the experience; it’s full of real-world insights that are far more valuable than the noodlings of naysayers. Start with the intention to learn Unimaginative … Continued

How to price and bill for writing and editing projects

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After eight years as a freelance writer and editor, I’ve figured out what works and doesn’t work for my business — and for clients. This post includes everything I’ve learned about pricing and billing. One principle drives everything you are about to read: all freelance arrangements should create value for the client and be rewarding … Continued

How authors should review a publisher’s page design

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At some point in your book’s publishing cycle — typically after you’ve submitted a manuscript for copy edit, but before you see page layouts — your publisher will share a page design and a full cover design. (If you’re self-publishing, you’ll review test designs from the designer or publishing services company you hired.) Remember, it’s … Continued

Cancer update: I am now fully baked

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Since I told you all about my cancer treatment, here is an update. I have completed my 28 radiation treatments. Here’s a picture of me inside the enormous radiation machine at Maine Medical Center in Scarborough, Maine. The preparation I got from my physical therapist and my dietitian was extremely helpful. The dietitian also had … Continued