Big Picture

Write naked

Mar 17th, 2009 | By John Roach | Category: Big Picture

It’s become a sitcom cliché: A shy guy is called upon to speak in public and is advised to imagine the audience naked. Of course, he winds up imagining himself naked on the podium. Hilarity ensues.
Personally, I’ve never understood the advice. Sure, there’s likely to be a few people in the audience I’d rather not [...]



7 software programs and services for writing

Mar 9th, 2009 | By John Roach | Category: Big Picture

Writers only need a pen, a piece of paper, and an idea. But, at least in my house, by the time you’ve found the pen and the paper, the idea has fled for warmer climes.  So here’s a look at a few somewhat-essential tools for the writer.
This list has two ideas behind it: 1.) Money [...]



How do you keep your readers reading?

Mar 2nd, 2009 | By John Roach | Category: Big Picture

photo credit: Jayel Aheram
I’m going to fail you today.
I don’t have the answers. I’ve got some ideas. I’ve got techniques for making sure your readers make it all the way to your last sentence, but not the end-all, be-all. I’m hoping you can fill in the blanks.
Without further ado, here are 10 tricks you [...]



Interview with Kenn Amdahl, self-publisher - part 3

Feb 26th, 2009 | By John Roach | Category: Big Picture

Kenn Amdahl is the author of “There Are No Electrons: Electronics for Earthlings” and “Joy Writing”, which I am currently reading. He’s also the publisher of the aforementioned books. In fact, he hasn’t called anyone “Boss” in 18 years, thanks to the success of Clearwater Publishing Company. Jealous? Read on to find out what he has to say about following in his footsteps.



Interview with Kenn Amdahl, self-publisher - part 2

Feb 25th, 2009 | By John Roach | Category: Big Picture

Kenn Amdahl is the author of “There Are No Electrons: Electronics for Earthlings” and “Joy Writing”, which I am currently reading. He’s also the publisher of the aforementioned books. In fact, he hasn’t called anyone “Boss” in 18 years, thanks to the success of Clearwater Publishing Company. Jealous? Read on to find out what he has to say about following in his footsteps.



Interview with Kenn Amdahl, self-publisher - part 1

Feb 24th, 2009 | By John Roach | Category: Big Picture

Kenn Amdahl is the author of “There Are No Electrons: Electronics for Earthlings” and “Joy Writing”, which I am currently reading. He’s also the publisher of the aforementioned books. In fact, he hasn’t called anyone “Boss” in 18 years, thanks to the success of his self-publishing company. Jealous? Read on to find out what he has to say about following in his footsteps.



Want to write a better blog? Stop trusting Google

Feb 23rd, 2009 | By John Roach | Category: Big Picture

Custom search engines let you decide what sites are valuable enough to appear in your search results page.



The 4 most destructive writing rules

Feb 16th, 2009 | By John Roach | Category: Big Picture

There are a lot of people out there telling you how you should and shouldn’t write. Truth is, they don’t care how well you write, they’re just interested in selling you a book or getting hired as a writing coach.



How The New Yorker broke my heart

Feb 9th, 2009 | By John Roach | Category: Big Picture

Don’t be too clever for your own good.



Review: Grammar Done Right

Feb 5th, 2009 | By John Roach | Category: Big Picture

Grammar Done Right! by Karen L. Reddick is a worth addition to any writer’s reference shelf, despite a blemish or two.