Lazy writers waste words. They use three when one excellent, descriptive verb or adjective will do much better. That's what's called "tight writing." Having written for magazines and corporate newsletters for years, I've learned the value and necessity of tight writing. Usually, I'm given a specific word count. Rarely, I have a crappy subject and I find myself having to pad the copy, because there wasn't much to write about in the first place. More often, however, I find myse

No, it's not the end of Caren Austen, Ink, but emphasis on the importance of ending well. As Longfellow put it, "Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending." In fact, some people write backward, as it were. They start with the end in mind. Others create their characters and follow where they lead. Either way, mulling over the end throughout the writing process is critical. As Longfellow pointed out, a great beginning is all well and good, but it's worthle

Writing, especially when we put it out there for others to read, is a lot like jumping off a cliff. We're never quite sure if we'll fly or if we'll fall. Writing takes courage. Not the kind of life or death courage of a soldier, police officer, or firefighter. It does, however, require a risk of the soul. We put our thoughts, our feelings, our very selves out there for people to respond with affection, derision, or, worst of all, indifference. Will you take the leap? Will you