To do good writing, read good writing. Here’s the good writing I’ve been reading this week:
Congratulations. You did it. You made it through the week. You wrote that blog post. You emptied your email inbox. You finished the article, edited the column, proofread the final chapter.
You’re done. It’s finished. You made it.
Life is one series of deadlines. Many of us — myself included — don’t take the time to celebrate when we accomplish what we set out to accomplish.
Graduations are easy. They’re definitive milestones that come with definitive recognitions. Graduates get announcements, yearbook photos, class rings, diplomas, cupcakes and all-night parties.
But they’re not the only ones who deserve some attaboys.
If you’ve accomplished something this week, give yourself permission to celebrate. Tis the season.
Now go and eat a cupcake.
Good Reads for Writers
Now, onto the good reads for writers I’ve found this week:
Whitey Bulger trial kicks off in Boston (The Daily Beast) – One way to research a book? Write about it while you’re researching. T.J. English, a long-time crime writer (and old college newspaper friend) is covering Bulger’s trial while researching a book on the mobster, who’s accused of murdering 19, along with assorted other crimes.
How not to be alone (New York Times) – Well-crafted reflection on the roadblocks to interpersonal communications raised by the very tools we depend more and more on to communicate.
Five writing blogs (Land Guppy) – Recommendations of good blogs for writers, from Lisa Jaffe Hubbell, one of 200+ bloggers in the 2013 WordCount Blogathon.
Crowdfunding journalism: A new financing model for freelancers? (PBS MediaShift)
Don’t ask writers to work for free unless you want an eloquent ‘F*ck off’ (Jezebel) – The latest installment in the continuing saga of clueless websites and companies that ask writers to work “for exposure.” It doesn’t end well (it never does).
Copyright Law on the Internet Is a Total Train Wreck Right Now (HubSpot) – A cautionary tale about what can happen if you add a photo to a blog post from Flickr that you think is safe to use but isn’t.
Reporting or illegal hacking: Scripps reporters accused of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (Columbia Journalism Review)
Stop worrying about SEO, you’re already doing it (No. 2 Pen Blog)
Inc. magazine’s new look (Inc.com)