Great Books Allow – And Even Invite – Repeated Readings
When I read a book, and I like it, I’m inclined to read it again. And again. Just like you’d listen to a favorite record over and over, until the grooves are so worn you have to buy another copy. … Continue reading
In Defense of “Take Action” Instead of “Act”
AI-powered grammar checkers and proofreaders such as Grammarly have become ubiquitous. To be fair, for the routine review of typos, spelling errors, and other obvious writing defects, these tools can be useful. Once in a while, a valued client will … Continue reading
The Significant Limitations of Chat GPT
Today, I signed up with Chat GPT at OpenAI.com. I wanted to learn about it and, if possible, use it to enhance my own work. I quickly discovered two things. Its ability to write with flawless grammar is astonishing. Every sentence … Continue reading
The Secret to a Great Opening Sentence in Your Novel
“Call me Ishmael.” Thus reads one of the most famous – and, by writers of fiction, envied – opening sentences in Western literature. It launches Moby-Dick, and those three words are memorable because they provide information about the protagonist. The … Continue reading
How Long Should My Non-Fiction Book Be? Pages? Word Count?
One of the most frequent questions my valued clients ask me is how long their book should be. This is a complex question, and the answer depends on many factors. The bottom line is this: It should be exactly as … Continue reading