WordCount
Freelancing in the Digital Age
  • About WordCount
  • About Michelle V. Rafter
  • Greatest Hits
  • Archives
  • The 2013 WordCount Blogathon

Categories Submenu

  • Blogs
  • Careers
  • Freelancing
  • Media Business
  • Newspapers
  • Online news
  • Technology
  • Web 2.0
  • Workplace Issues
  • Writing
Browse: Home / writing basics

writing basics

8 ways to take the pain out of writing slideshows

8 ways to take the pain out of writing slideshows

Turns out slideshows are tougher to tackle than you’d think. But there are simple ways to lessen the sting.

Writing basics: how to write a lead

Writing basics: how to write a lead

The lead is one of the main building blocks of writing. Here are 7 types of leads, all of which will leave readers wanting more.

Photo courtesy guldfisken

Roundup of WordCount’s best reads of 2012

A deadly avalanche, a serial killer revisited, riding the Tour de France and other best reads for writers from 2012.

Everything you need to know about word counts (but were too afraid to ask your editor)

Everything you need to know about word counts (but were too afraid to ask your editor)

This tutorial covers how to calculate an article’s length, what’s considered too long or short, the best way to make trims, and what to do when you come up short.

Reader poll: What WordCount subject should I write an ebook about?

Take this short poll to help me decide what subject to tackle in my first effort to write a short digital book based on this blog.

Steve Jobs 1955-2011/Photo courtesy Mint Digital

Steve Jobs and re-imagining obituaries

Steve Jobs’ death highlighted a key but often-bungled journalism standard, the obituary. This week’s recommended reading looks at both the traditional and new.

Writing basics: the deck

Writing basics: the deck

The latest in a WordCount occasional series on writing basics looks at the deck. A headline with no deck is like an unfinished building: a frame but no details.

When it comes to writing, economize

Like cash-strapped families cut back during the recession, writers should economize when it comes to the words they use. Here’s 10 tips for doing just that.

Back to writing basics: the quote

The latest post in a WordCount occasional series on writing basics looks at the quote. As one writer friend says, a boring quote is boring writing.

Back to basics: the nut graph

Back to basics: the nut graph

The first post in a WordCount occasional series on writing basics looks at the nut graph, the little paragraph with the big impact.

Subscribe by Email

RSS FEED

New & Returning Visitors Box

Welcome to the WordCount freelance writing blog. You'll see fresh posts throughout the week on writing basics, blogging, tech tools for writers and more.

GET STARTED HERE:
Subscribe • Greatest Hits • Friday Reading List
WordCount Blogathon • #wclw Twitter Chat

Bio box

Michelle V. Rafter

Reporter, editor, and blogger specializing in finance, business, workplace issues, and media.

CONNECT:

Recent Posts

  • What I’m reading, Hilary Mantel, Angelina Jolie, freelance apps, and more
  • Dear WordCount: How do I start a blog?
  • Jan Udlock: Getting over the Blogathon daily blogging fear factor
  • Too many deadlines? Here’s how to avoid panic mode
  • How I did it: Paul Vachon on writing a book of historic photographs

Alltop, all the top stories

Featured on BlogHer.com

Top 10 Blogs for Writers

Copyright © 2013 WordCount.

Design by Ron S. Doyle at Waterday Media, powered by WordPress and Hybrid.

Log in