Monthly Archives: July 2016
When Microsoft Word Fails
Microsoft Word failed me last week. I could no longer save files or continue using the program once I tried. In every instance I got what I call the spinning beachball of death. (external link) After that I’d have to … Continue reading
The Background on my Third Rock&Gem Article
Today I received my writers’ copies of Rock&Gem’s August, 2016 issue (external link). It details my trip to Garnet Hill, Nevada. Garnet Hill is just outside Ely (pronounced EEE-LEE), some 240 miles north of Las Vegas. The collecting site has … Continue reading
Posted in Magazine article
Tagged August 2016, central Nevada, copper mines, Ely, Garnet Hill Nevada, garnets, Rock and Gem Magazine, Rock&Gem, Ruth
Leave a comment
Vigorous Writing
What can you cut out to make more vigorous writing? From least vigorous to most vigorous: In my opinion we should get together and burn down that bookstore. We should get together and burn down that bookstore. Let’s burn down that … Continue reading
Different Approaches to OCR Work
09/25/2016: Update. I’ve discovered a great online OCR tool. It does better than anything I used below. Go here to read my post about it. (internal link) Original Post I’m doing research for my anthology project (internal link). It requires scanning … Continue reading
Morning Musings on Writing
If I had more time I’d write you a shorter letter. Variously attributed Is shorter writing more vigorous writing? All things being equal, is a 300 word essay on penicillin more vigorous than a 3000 word essay? It could certainly … Continue reading
Writing Guidance From Online Tools
Is your writing fit or flabby? Enter your text into this writing tool to see: http://writersdiet.com/?page_id=4 (external link) The reasoning behind this tool is somewhat complicated but understandable with study. Besides its website, the tool is discussed at length here: http://cmosshoptalk.com/2016/07/07/helen-sword-talks-about-trimming-your-prose-with-the-writers-diet/ (external … Continue reading
Anthology Questions and a Catch-22
I’d like to put together an anthology but I’ve run into a dilemma. Reprinting another writer’s works requires permission and payment. How much? That depends. Who is your publisher? What is the print run? How many pages will be in the book and what … Continue reading
Posted in Thoughts on writing, Uncategorized, Writing tips
Tagged anthology, book publishing, catch-22, freelance writing, writing
Leave a comment
Update on the Creative Nonfiction Workshop I’m Taking
I’m near completing the Creative Nonfiction Workshop I’m taking through U.C. Berkeley Extension. (internal link) While it has had no immediate applicability to the newspaper or magazine articles I write, it is always good to try different things. We write in … Continue reading
Vary Your Writing By Deleting or Adding Commas
Vary your writing by deleting or adding commas and rearranging sentences: On his way to find gold, Yosemite Sam found tungsten. Yosemite Sam found tungsten on his way to find gold. Since we couldn’t find our way back, we decided to take … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized, Writing tips
Tagged commas, cutting out commas, Writing tips
Leave a comment