Podcasting sounds intimidating. Maybe it’s the word: it conjures up images of pod people from old sci-fi movies. In reality, there’s nothing scary about podcasting. It’s just another way of producing a story, albeit in audio rather than written form. I reached that conclusion based on two recent podcasting experiences. The latest is an interview […]
To keep business and tech writing fresh, avoid cliches
Enough already with the cliches. If you write about business, technology or niche subjects, you probably have to bat off the cliches like flies. OK, did you notice that both of those sentences included cliches? That’s how hard it is to keep them out of your writing. But you should keep them out, if you […]
J-school grads are mastering digital news skills, freelancers should too
Nicholas Lemann, dean of the Columbia Journalism School gave the commencement address at the college’s 2008 graduation ceremony on May 21. It’s interesting reading for freelance writers contemplating where they fit into the increasingly digital world of news gathering and writing. As Lemann’s address makes clear, this year’s crop of journalism graduates is leaving school […]
2008 Knight News Challenge winners show future of news is digital
The 25 winners of this year’s Knight News Challenge offer a taste of things to come in the news business. And it’s digital. Sixteen journalists, bloggers and technology trend setters received a total of $5.5 million in the 2008 contest for their innovative ideas for gathering and distributing the news, particularly local news. The contest […]
Why I love the first days of the month
I love the first days of the month. It means I’ve closed the books on whatever I billed in the previous 30 days and I’m starting all over again. This month it also means the start of my blogathon, A Post a Day in the Month of May, which is already generating a lot of […]
10 Basic Web Tools for Freelancers
My workday would not be the same without the Web-based tools I use for research and writing. The good part is they’re simple. I may be a tech writer, but as my husband will attest, I an not an early adopter. Whether it’s a computer, software program or cell phone, I stick with the tried […]