Tag Archives: Pamela Mytroen

I Don’t Believe in Writing — Pam Mytroen

I have always felt a little uncomfortable about calling myself a writer, partly because I don’t write full-time, but more because I felt the title constricted me. Calling myself a writer was a betrayal to my deeper calling.  I am so much more than a writer. And so are you. I write, but I am… Read more »

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Develop the Killing Instinct Part II: Fine-Tuning with a Jack-Knife — Pamela Mytroen

In Part I of “Develop the Killing Instinct” I suggested writers use a sword to slash a large volume of words and distill the piece into one key sentence. This method slims a piece down to its purpose, allowing no extra fat, which editors appreciate. Only then may the writer pull out the jack-knife to… Read more »

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Develop the Killing Instinct: Reducing the Word Count — Pamela Mytroen

How does a writer keep to the posted word count without losing all those inspired phrases? And why does it matter? Editors have reasons for setting a maximum word count. Besides the premium of space in a publication, a stipulated word count attracts and creates writers with clear and effective writing. Slashing words from a… Read more »

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Stay in the Cave: Extended Metaphors — Pam Mytroen

We drove past many huge billboards for caves in the Black Hills, South Dakota, but until we explored one, I would have never known how cool and tingly my skin felt at 48 degrees in the cave when it was a scorching 96 degrees outside. That’s what writing an extended metaphor is like.

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3 Sweet Tips for Creating Delicious Headlines — Pam Mytroen

Cherry on top or the whole sundae? Jeff Goins, writer, weighs in heavily on the power of a headline: “So often, the headline is the most neglected part of writing an article. People (writers) just gloss over it without taking much time to consider it. In their minds, it’s the cherry on top. No, Friends…. Read more »

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