Tag Archives | Interviewing

Ten pro writer shortcuts

Amateurs talk about inspiration. Professional writers just go to work. Here are ten techniques that help me get work done more efficiently.

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Hiring a writer? 10 must-ask questions

Hiring a writer? 10 must-ask questions to avoid problems, delays and bad chemistry.

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A-Z of better writing

A-Z of better writing

A veritable alphabet of better writing. 26 tips for inspiration, guidance and encouragement.

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EA Frankenquotes

EA used to be a cool company. They published my first game, Imperium and we worked with them on a bunch of games at IG. Everyone I met there was whip-smart and passionate about making great games. Now they are just another big dumb corporation that puts out press releases with frankenquotes like this: “This [...]

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40 essential online apps for freelancers

Online applications give me a competitive edge. I want to be a ‘big little company’ with the same (or better) IT capabilities as the biggest of my clients. I try to make the maximum use of online applications because they let me deploy new capabilities quickly without adding to my IT or admin burdens. This [...]

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Writing tools: iPhone plug-in microphone

I have recorded a few interviews recently using my iPhone and its built-in voice memo application. I sent them away for transcription (I’ve found a couple of ways of getting this done online for about $30-60/hour of recording) but the quality wasn’t that great for the typist. However, I think I’ve found the answer: the [...]

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How to write faster – learn Teeline shorthand

Ambitious journalism student, Alex Cooper, introduces us to Teeline Shorthand with his debut guest post for Bad Language. In this article I will go through the basic structure of Teeline Shorthand, a brief history and some tips for learning it along the way. Teeline was invented by James Hill in 1970. It is aimed at [...]

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How to use quotations in your writing – 10 expert tips

Quotations can make an article, press release or case study real or they can make them deathly dull. As a writer, it’s your choice. You have complete control over how you quote people and a few simple techniques can make all the difference. Go to the top. One reason to include a quotation is to [...]

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How to interview someone

Interviews matter. Interviews are the foundation of good reporting. They are the best way of understanding a complicated situation and seeing it from someone else’s perspective. A wise, old editor of mine used to say “report it out.” She meant ‘go talk to people, don’t rely on your own opinions and judgment.’ It’s a good [...]

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