writing
Jordan Peterson’s 10-step process for stronger writing
Though written for his students, the lessons can be applied by any essay writer.
Did ancient cave artists share a global language?
The same 32 symbols show up in prehistoric European cave art.
How to use a thesaurus to actually improve your writing
Looking up big, fancy words won't make your writing better. But a thesaurus can help – if you use it like this.
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6 min
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Is cursive writing important to child development?
Legislators push to keep cursive in their schools' curricula, but experts seem split as to whether it's necessary.
Steven Pinker’s 13 rules for writing better
The Harvard psychologist loves reading authors' rules for writing. Here are his own.
Margaret Atwood is writing a sequel to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
The renowned author plans to publish a follow-up to the 1985 bestseller in September 2019.
James Patterson on writing: Plotting, research, and first drafts
The best-selling author tells us his methods.
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3 min
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Stephen King says writers should stop using this one “very tired” word
The 71-year-old author suggests replacing the adjective "amazing" with something more "pungent & specific".
Why thinking on paper is a fast way to focus
Writing by hand is the original concentration hack.
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5 min
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The huge social impact of learning to love books
James Patterson on teaching kids to read.
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8 min
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This puppy: Fluffy time-waster or productivity hack?
Why cute images are a productivity hack
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3 min
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The best way to achieve fame and fortune? Don’t focus on them.
If you're getting into the creative arts to get a big paycheck or ego boost: don't.
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5 min
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The etiquette of good writing: Why Nabokov is wine, and Joyce is a feral brew
Writers need to understand their role in the storytelling process, says bestselling author Martin Amis.
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4 min
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6 famous writers who never made a dime
We all love the art, but we often forget the difficulty of being an artist. Here are some of the most famous, greatest writers of all time who never could quite make a living doing it.
Could A.I. write a novel like Hemingway?
Artificial Intelligence has come a long way in a short time. So at what point will it be able to emulate the great artists and writers of our time?
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7 of the greatest public speakers in history
We compiled a list of seven of the greatest public speakers of all time, people who forever changed the course of history with their words.
Can You Fix a Broken Heart by Writing about It?
Break-ups can be bad for your health. But new research shows that writing about your separation can improve cardiac health—as long as you write in a certain way.
These Dyslexia Fonts Stop Words From “Floating” Away
Dyslexia makes letters float, rotate, and flip on a page. It turns M's into W's, q's into p's, and so on. Changing the font-face might be able to help keep the letters in place on the page.
Every Joke Falls in One of 11 Categories, Says Founding Editor of The Onion
The Onion founding editor Scott Dikkers says every joke can be categorized in one of 11 "funny filters."
Feeling Stuck? Good Ideas Hide in Plain Sight, Says Novelist Jonathan Safran Foer
Author Jonathan Safran Foer on the two surprising qualities successful writers need.
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F. Scott Fitzgerald on Writing ‘The Great Gatsby’
Here's what F. Scott Fitzgerald thought about his classic American novel "The Great Gatsby."