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Identity crisis
A few weeks ago, I went to Bangalore for an…
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Try things you’re writing about
Get an idea of what it feels like to be…
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Placebo words
In writing, they’re unnecessary, imprecise and show the reader that…
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Repetition, not redundancy.
How do you write about the same few ideas over…
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Your words know what you’re feeling.
If you’re not confident in your writing, your words will…
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Don’t use words you don’t need.
We often use hyperbolic language for dramatic flair in speech.…
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Checking your source.
A lot of writers use stats, findings and quotes in…
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How to give feedback to a writer.
Giving and taking feedback on creative work can be difficult.…
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You need a quality control checklist.
Every writer needs a personal quality control checklist. Here’s how…
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Saying no to money.
Misconceptions that freelancers need to clear about ‘deserving’ payments.
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Make your documents look good.
It’s good when design and content go hand in hand
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You don’t always need to begin at the beginning.
Not all stories start with ‘once upon a time’
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Don’t fear repetition.
Sometimes, saying something again and again and again can be…
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I don’t have a writing ritual. Do you?
Apparently, it’s common for desperate writers — like me —…
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Do you have a writing goal?
It seemed rather unsavoury. Unless.
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Leave passive voice to the politicians.
So, the lesson is: If you must use passive voice,…
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Kill the generic lede.
Use a unique one to draw your reader in.
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Write case studies.
It’s a different and detailed way of presenting your best…
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3 rules to be better organised.
Figure out permanent places, boundaries and backup for everything.
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Do you know to use document styles on your word processor?
The moment you get a new laptop or install a…
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Brainstorm like Tina Fey does improv.
Live and let (your ideas also) live.
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How does one get into freelance writing?
Just do the work. Send pitches, apply to gigs, leverage…
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How to pitch a story.
Or, how to help your idea grab the boss’s attention.
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How to write an explainer.
An explainer should leave your reader brighter by a point…
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Writing for an audience.
Where persuasion matters more than proving a point.
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Write to understand.
Do you know why you write?
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Dear sir / madam, please don’t hire me.
Avoid job application goof-ups that make employers cringe
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Reference your sources properly.
How can you ensure that the information you’re writing is…
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I have an idea!
An ideas notebook has held me in good stead all…
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First Drafts Are Allowed to Be Shitty.
Don’t be disheartened if you don’t get it first time…
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Mapping your story saves a ton of time!
I outline a story before I write it. Many writers…
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Use text-to-speech.
Having someone read out your words to you is a…
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Literary devices.
If there is a trick you use in your writing,…
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.,! — We need some space.
I’ve long held that there are two kinds of people…
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What would you do differently?
If you don’t like a piece of writing, rewrite it.
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When you’re scared, write on spec.
Sometimes, writing can be scary and paralysing. On those days,…
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Keep a Tab on Your Tabs.
If you open up a lot of tabs as part…
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There are two kinds of writers.
Guess which kind of writer is the better one?
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You really shouldn’t take writing advice from me.
But here it is anyway.
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Let us get it clear.
Reading a thousand words that doesn’t convey anything is a…
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How to interview a film star.
Some not-so-obvious tips to having meaningful conversation and not a…
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A simple potion that cures my writer’s block.
One way to unblock whatever’s stopping the flow between you…
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One remarkable thing about everything.
That’s all it takes it takes to make a piece…
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You know you don’t have to reply to every email immediately, right?
May be if you realised that you don’t owe anyone…
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How Twitter banter helped find my voice.
Apparently, Twitter me is more the real me.
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I’m embarrassed about my past work.
If you feel embarrassed about the work you’ve done in…
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Use Writing to Explore Your Confusion/Trauma.
Writing is not just about expression. Use it to come…
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A Lesson from Fiction: Character, Conflict, Stakes.
Ranjani calls it “flair.” I call it “persuasion.” Either way,…
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30 Days To Writing Better.
Honing your writing is essential if you are a full-time…
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Keep some boredom buffer.
Allow yourself to be bored. Leave your brain awake and…
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Keep a lessons file.
Stop repeating your mistakes. Keeps a lessons file.
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Build Yourself A Writing Process.
If you’re a professional writer, you’ll need to wake up…
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Looking at murder differently.
I read (and watch) a lot of murder mysteries. And…
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How to write well without taking too much time?
You are asking for alchemy, my friend.
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Do you have frameworks and are you documenting them?
As a freelancer, it’s crucial to have thorough documentation for…
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Difference between understanding feedback and applying it.
We talk a lot about giving and taking feedback. There…
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Be stylish. Consistently.
Do you have a home style? As in, do you…
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Don’t use a word more than once in a sentence.
This is a very basic writing tip. Don’t use the…
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Do you resolve reviewer comments?
Many writers resolve reviewer comments, which is inefficient. It assumes…
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When you can’t gauge your own work, ask someone else to look at it.
Just show your work and ask for an opinion.