WriterByNature.com

February 27, 2007 8:57 pm

Here are a few guidelines for determining how to write numbers as numerals or words. (more…)

February 25, 2007 4:10 am

I make it a point to listen to Living on Earth.

This radio program is broadcast on my local NPR station at 6:00 AM. I’m up anyway and I always learn something.

For the last couple of weeks, the show has included portions of an interview with Wangari Maathai. She’s a master tree planter, a dedicated environmentalist and the winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. (more…)

February 23, 2007 3:49 am

Practice getting lost. Seriously.

Once you’re lost, it’s not the time to learn a new skill.

Here are a few techniques that will help you cope if you are ever really lost on land, even if you don’t have a compass. (more…)

February 20, 2007 8:48 pm

Without words, writing would be just a bunch of squiggles on a page. For most, if not all of us, we have to write many words before we can find the word that communicates exactly what we mean.

There are a number of ways to effectively choose our words including: (more…)

February 19, 2007 4:55 am

My snowshoes are still untested. They’ll have to wait for the next snowstorm.

Perfect cross country ski days come along once every few years where I live.

Saturday, I got out early enough to be the first person to ski the trail. Except for coyote and fox tracks, the pristine white trail stretched out ahead of me like fresh linen. (more…)

February 17, 2007 4:39 am

My attempts to test my new snowshoes have failed, because the hiker parking lots are not only unplowed, but barricaded behind the wall of ice created by road crews.

I’m grateful that this area got six inches, not eleven feet. I’m grateful the power never went out. I’m grateful I had something else to do, while winter plays out.

While the storm rages outside, I’m preparing a meal featuring rice with chicken mushrooms, sautéed wild greens and wild blueberry pie. It’s a little bit of summertime on a raw winter day. (more…)

February 15, 2007 4:59 am

No kidding. You can actually freeze snowballs for summer use. (more…)

February 13, 2007 8:54 pm

On this day dedicated to love and romance, consider the gift of a poem.

Here are ways to say “I Love You” in many languages. See below to find out how I know this. (more…)

February 9, 2007 4:19 am

This was originally written as a magazine submission. It was not published, but I believe this information is important. This is not something you can practice. I visualize this situation in order to imprint it. I hope I never fall through ice, but if I did, I’d be more likely to survive. (more…)

February 6, 2007 8:43 pm

Reviews are written to evaluate a book, movie, event, or object. Unlike a summary, the review writer has an opinion or makes a case for the material reviewed.

As a review writer, you have some latitude in the tone, style and subject matter of your piece. Here are rules to help your reader follow your train of thought. (more…)