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Books and writing are the core of my life. I edit books, write books, and teach writing. I love this work, and will be happy to provide any editorial or writing service you need.
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September 29, 2020 By Elizabeth Leave a Comment

Pile of Books

I enjoy making an attractive pile of books as I contemplate which book to read next. This particular pile is comprised of books I got for my birthday last month. Well, all except that big Harry Potter book on the bottom. All of these are books I asked for as gifts. The top one, Draft No. 4 by John McPhee, is from my mother. She asked if she could borrow it when I’m done so she can reread it. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: What I Read Tagged With: birthday gifts, books, eckhart tolle, harry potter, helen macdonald, john mcphee, reading list

July 18, 2020 By Elizabeth Leave a Comment

The Creative Walk

Blue Heron on Exeter River, June 2020 I walk. It's a defining characteristic, a must-do every day. These are not long walks, they rarely qualify as hikes, but for me a walk is frequently--maybe always--a creative walk. I read this article about walking about a year ago. I nodded in agreement through most of it, but was certainly surprised to learn all that was happening in my brain as I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: The Writing Process Tagged With: birds, books, create, creativity, walk, writing

August 2, 2019 By Elizabeth Leave a Comment

Write What You Know

Write what you know

“Write what you know” is one of the more confounding pieces of writerly advice. It can, unfortunately, be interpreted as “write what you have experienced.” I say unfortunately because, for most of us, that would result in deadly dull fiction. I used to complain to my mother about having been raised in white-bread suburbia. Way too boring to write about that. I would much rather have had the sort … [Read more...]

Filed Under: The Writing Process, Writing Tips

January 17, 2019 By Elizabeth Leave a Comment

What If?

Photo by Kaique Rocha from Pexels What If? is the title of a terrific book on writing by Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter. The book contains plenty of worthwhile advice and prompts, but I love the title alone: What If? Those two words can be the start of numerous inspiring prompts. To give you a real-life example, consider the song “Taxi” by Harry Chapin, the song that launched his successful … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Writing Tips

January 8, 2019 By Elizabeth Leave a Comment

Mostly Agree with Hemingway

While cruising the internet recently, I found this: http://www.openculture.com/2013/02/seven_tips_from_ernest_hemingway_on_how_to_write_fiction.html My thanks to Open Culture for putting together this list and explanations of Hemingway’s advice. I mostly agree with Hemingway. But hey, put ten writers in a room and you’ll get twenty different ideas of the best way to write. So, where do I agree … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Writing Tips

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