writing

Nothing Ever Happens: “Mister Squishy” and the Year of the Sentence Diagram

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Hannah Smart analyzes a 900-word sentence from David Foster Wallace's “Mister Squishy,” exploring themes of human inertia and meaningless language. Wallace's complex prose, filled with superfluous modifiers, reflects his philosophy against such clutter. The story, centering on Terry Schmidt's unfulfilled life during a focus group, evokes a sense of anticipation despite limited action. Smart's diagramming uncover the sentence's core meaning: Schmidt's bleak fantasies of change amidst stagnation. Ultimately, the narrative illustrates modern language's power to perpetuate dissatisfaction, paralleling societal rhetoric and reinforcing feelings of inertia in life.

https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/nothing-ever-happens-mister-squishy-and-the-year-of-the-sentence-diagram/

Write Now With Scrivener, Episode No. 58: Tessa Hulls, Pulitzer Prize Winning Graphic Artist & Memoirist

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Tessa Hulls, artist/writer, won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for her graphic memoir Feeding Ghosts. The memoir explores her family's history across generations and continents, shaped by personal and historical trauma. The creation process spanned nine years, heavily impacted by the pandemic, which challenged her mental health but ultimately strengthened the work. Hulls utilized Scrivener innovatively to manage her process, integrating visual elements to guide the memoir's narrative structure. She expresses no plans for another book, feeling content with the one story that has haunted her.

https://www.literatureandlatte.com/blog/write-now-with-scrivener-episode-no-58-tessa-hulls-pulitzer-prize-winning-graphic-artist-memoirist

The Case for Blogging in the Ruins

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Blogs foster intellectual exploration, unlike social media's fast-paced content. Diderot’s Encyclopédie exemplified building knowledge infrastructure, whereas today's media prioritizes engagement over substance. Blogs create permanent, standalone documents inviting deep thinking and nuanced discussion. Despite claims that blogs are obsolete, they outlast social media in indexing and engagement. Establishing a blog offers autonomy and a space for meaningful content creation, essential for reclaiming thoughtful discourse. Start a blog to cultivate your ideas and contribute to a more connected intellectual community.

https://www.joanwestenberg.com/the-case-for-blogging-in-the-ruins/

How to Self-Publish Your Books to Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Google, and Kobo

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Self-publishing books on major ebook platforms is straightforward. Authors can either use aggregators or publish independently. Key platforms include Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo, each with unique characteristics. Essential assets include an EPUB file, cover art, and an ISBN. Steps vary by platform but generally involve uploading the manuscript, adding metadata, setting prices, and managing promotions. While Amazon dominates the market, diversifying across platforms can maximize visibility and revenue. Affiliate programs can also boost income. Overall, self-publishing requires effort but can yield substantial returns.

https://www.literatureandlatte.com/blog/how-to-self-publish-your-books-to-amazon-apple-barnes-noble-google-and-kobo

What Editing Magazine Stories Taught Me About Writing

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Freelance writer Oliver Franklin-Wallis shares lessons from editing magazine stories, emphasizing the value of editors, understanding writing strengths, the significance of narrative and emotional arcs, and the importance of strong openings and satisfying endings. He notes the need for unique voices in an AI-driven landscape and the power of observation. Franklin-Wallis reflects on his recent shift to freelance work, expressing excitement about reporting and the future of his Substack newsletter.

https://oliverfranklinwallis.substack.com/p/what-editing-magazine-stories-has

How Copywork and Imitation Can Help Writers Improve Their Own Style

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Copying great writers (copywork) and imitating their style are effective exercises for improving writing skills. Copywork involves rewriting texts to absorb techniques, while imitation allows writers to experiment with styles. Famous writers like Franklin and Thompson used these methods. To practice, copy texts thoughtfully and try writing in the styles of admired authors. This enhances skill, deepens understanding of various styles, and helps writers explore their voice.

https://www.literatureandlatte.com/blog/how-copywork-and-imitation-can-help-writers-improve-their-own-style

Mac: Where Is Save As?

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Save As… isn’t gone in macOS; it's replaced by Auto Save + Versions since 2011. This system auto-saves documents and maintains a version history, altering the previous Save As… workflow. Save As… can still be accessed as a hidden option (via Option key) but can confuse users with version management. The main commands are now Save, Duplicate, and Revert To, streamlining saving and versioning while allowing access to the old manual process.

https://www.hogbaysoftware.com/posts/mac-save-as/

How to Compile Your Scrivener Project for Print, PDF, or Microsoft Word

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Scrivener compiles projects by combining texts into a single exportable file for formats like print, PDF, or Word. Users plan, write, and organize their manuscripts in Scrivener, then compile them for sharing or self-publishing. The Compile interface allows users to customize settings based on templates and formats. It includes options for layout, section types, and file selection, making it easy to finalize and export manuscripts. Compiling is straightforward, typically requiring only basic settings.

https://www.literatureandlatte.com/blog/how-to-compile-your-scrivener-project-for-print-pdf-or-microsoft-word

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