Who will survive the AI writing revolution?
Of journalism and artificial intelligence, “only those who create the best original content will survive,” says the CEO of German media group Axel Springer, which owns Bild and Die Welt. Mathias Deopfner said this in a letter to staff but you’ll forgive me for having read it as being shouted in a German accent to […]
There are many ways to fight writer’s block, find inspiration
Don’t feel like writing? Join the club. Sometimes life is too busy, and our brains are too crowded with schedules, appointments and commitments. Sometimes we lack ideas or confidence. A clear mind allows room for inspiration, but how can we banish the mental detritus? Nature can nurture, so heading for an unpeopled locale can be […]
What is Written Out Loud? The Collaborative Writing Program Explained by Its Screenwriter Founder
Written Out Loud is a writing and storytelling program that works with schools and students outside of schools to teach writing and empathy skills through collaborative storytelling practices. The education program was founded by Joshua Shelov, a filmmaker and screenwriter who wrote the Green Street Hooligans, starring Elijah Wood, and co-wrote and directed The Best […]
TUCKER ON Writing Well
Over 30 years ago, I received my bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Tennessee. Despite the passing of time, I still hold dear two items from my five-year educational journey: my framed diploma and a small book entitled “The Word: An Associated Press Guide to Good News Writing” by Rene J. Cappon. This […]
The 5 Best Sites and Online Tools to Help You Write Song Lyrics
The songwriting process can be difficult, and when you’re struggling to come up with the words, you can get demotivated to carry on. Whether you’re struggling to expand your song idea or you need a fresh one, there’s always a way to deal with writer’s block. Fortunately, you don’t have to be stuck with writer’s […]
6 Accountability Tools for Writers to Keep the Words Flowing
Whether you’re freelancing, blogging, or crafting fiction, writing is often a challenging task. Coping with writer’s block–or even garden-variety procrastination–can slow the progress. Here are several accountability tools for writers to help you stay on track and keep the words flowing. 1. Use Time-Tracking Tools. Commit to writing a certain number of hours each day […]
Richard Anobile, Chronicler of the Marx Brothers, Dies at 76
Richard Anobile, a prolific creator of film books whose friendly collaboration with the anarchic comedian Groucho Marx on a project called “The Marx Bros. Scrapbook” turned sour when Mr. Marx sued to stop its distribution after reading his unedited quoted remarks in print, died on Feb. 10 in Toronto. He was 76. His wife, Elizabeth […]
A freelancer writer encounters dread and mystery on assignment in England
Writer and poet Anne Britting Oleson suspends the opening of her engrossing thriller/mystery, “Aventurine and the Reckoning,” between two stories. The first is the death of Shep Genthner. His disappearance has caused grievous consequences for his 20-something son, Paul. The second has Aventurine Morrow, a best-selling nonfiction writer, pursuing a story about Genevieve Smithson, a […]
Self-Study, Becoming American and the Art of Translation
“Lezende jongen,” by Frans Hals Molly Young is on leave for the next several months. In her absence, colleagues from the Book Review will pick up the recommendation torch and appear in your inbox every two Saturdays. Dear readers, Every book lover is an autodidact at times; it goes with the territory. There are risks […]
New rules for writing: Communicate clearly, make it interesting, and new words are A-OK
Some of the new words, phrases and abbreviations added to dictionaries in the past few years. My 11-year-old son recently reported with horror that the word “funner” has been added to the dictionary. “What’s wrong with that?” I asked. He gaped. “IT’S NOT A WORD.” “Sure it is,” I said. “Little kids say it all […]