http://copyfire.com/blog1 Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:30:03 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I was perusing Michael Ruhlman's blog today, and began reading his entry on writing (food writing, in particular, but it applies to all writing, as far as I'm concerned). It was a great post, because it was both simple, and true. He says: "Teaching yourself to write is simply ... http://copyfire.com/blog1/2009/04/15/on-writing-ruhlman-style/ Alright, I admit it. I love a pun, even if they are possibly the most maligned type of humor known to man. So when I happened upon an op-ed piece on puns by Joseph Tartakovsky in today's New York Times, I couldn't help but stop and read. ... http://copyfire.com/blog1/2009/03/28/so-punny-i-almost-forgot-to-laugh/ I am pleased and somewhat disturbed to announce that readers can now follow this blog on Twitter, if they're so inclined. I say disturbed, because I truly have no idea where Twitter has to go at this point. It's almost to the point where I can't help feeling ... http://copyfire.com/blog1/2009/03/21/its-twitteriffic/ Over the last month, several articles have mentioned that Quincy Jones, the acclaimed musician and producer, is lobbying President Obama to create a minister of culture or secretary of the arts position in his administration. And why not? In recent years, it certainly feels like arts and culture ... http://copyfire.com/blog1/2009/01/28/arts-and-culture-represent/ This weekend, I attended an event sponsored by the Cleveland chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, primarily aimed at those who are seeking to transition their careers from print journalism to other types of writing. I was invited by John Ettorre, the well-known Cleveland writer & blogger extraordinaire. ... http://copyfire.com/blog1/2009/01/26/local-apathy/ Came across a great link today while clicking around on the Poynter Institute site. It's called News University (or News U). Once you register as a member, you get access to all sort of free (yes, free) online seminars and live "webinars." It's aimed at journalists, but ... http://copyfire.com/blog1/2009/01/24/news-u/ I have a new favorite toy. For the next few minutes, anyway. It's called Wordle, and it takes any website or blog that has an RSS feed and makes into visual art. Kind of like a word collage. You can click here to see my Wordle ... http://copyfire.com/blog1/2009/01/24/wordle-me-this/ Caught this completely awesome YouTube video on Alison Morris' blog on the Publisher's Weekly site. So very, very enjoyable, and yet utterly wrong. http://copyfire.com/blog1/2009/01/23/self-defense-for-the-hopelessly-uncool/ Excuse me if I'm confused, but it's been so long since we've had a president who OPENLY reads (Bush seems to have looked at reading more as a competition, and less as a way of provoking thought), and who is respectful of the English language both as a written and ... http://copyfire.com/blog1/2009/01/19/wait-a-secour-new-presidentreads-openly/ Have I mentioned that I love cookbooks? I love the luscious writing, the completely, ridiculously aspirational recipes (Hello, French Laundry Cookbook), and the full-color photos which I always imagine that if I can justgetcloseenough, I will be able to smell the truffles wafting right through the paper. It's ... http://copyfire.com/blog1/2009/01/15/dont-say-i-didnt-warn-you/