Research
Books, by Terry Freedman
I’ve been reading Phillipa K. Chong’s “Inside the Critics’ Circle”, in which she attempts to discover the process by which books get reviewed. It’s a very interesting read. I haven’t finished it yet, so am not in a position to review it as such, but I was struck by the extract cited here.
Read MoreTo the extent that people distrust journalists, is it really surprising?
Read MoreSome research looked at writers’ rituals. Hearing about that made me reflect on my own.
Read MoreIn this essay I have used three different AI apps to analyse a piece of my writing, and to make suggestions for improvement.
Read MoreThe Book at War is a fascinating study of how books and other reading matter have variously influenced politics, propaganda and history over time.
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Robot reporter, by Terry Freedman
I decided to find out! In this post I show the results of:
Asking AI to create some personas, ie target readers.
Come up with some blog post ideas.
Write an outline for one of them.
Write an article for one of them.
I thought I would test ChatGPT’s mettle in a rather self-interested way. I write a lot of book reviews — a lot. I have three books I need to review for an education magazine by 21st January, plus two books I need to review for other websites soonish, and I have to write a review of an exhibition for a different education magazine by next week <gulp>.
Therefore I have two (competing) concerns.
Read MoreIf a piece of writing is too self-conscious, if it’s basically shouting “Hey, look at me. Isn’t this a fine piece of writing?” I lose interest. And I’m in good company: Trollope felt the same way.
Read MoreOne of the things we should all do as writers is study other people's works to try to discern how they achieved particular effects, or how they use language. It's known as 'close reading'.
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Cover of The Author magazine, by Terry Freedman
What rituals do writers rely on to help them write?
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Books, by Terry Freedman
I’ve been reading Phillipa K. Chong’s “Inside the Critics’ Circle”, in which she attempts to discover the process by which books get reviewed. It’s a very interesting read. I haven’t finished it yet, so am not in a position to review it as such, but I was struck by the extract cited here.
Read MoreWhen you start to read a new book, what’s your routine? My routines differ according to whether the book is fiction or non-fiction, and whether I’ve been sent it to review or not.
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Distrust, by Terry Freedman
A new report from the Reuters Institute is disturbing. As usual, journalists are being imprisoned or even killed for simply doing their jobs.
Read MoreA search engine I wrote about in 2010 still works, and is still useful.
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A fascinating read
Apparently, the average read-through rate (who knew such a measurement existed?) on Medium is 40%. So why do people tend to not see an article through to the bitter end?
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Library shelves, by Terry Freedman
In the central library close to my home, around 30 years ago, there was a brilliant librarian in the Reference section. It didn’t matter what you asked him, he would know the answer.
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Buzzsaw screenshot, by Terry Freedman
If you’re tired of people “reaching out” or “circling back” or sending you sales “literature” that bears no relevance to you whatsoever, you will enjoy learning that you’re not alone.
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Inside a second-hand bookshop, by Terry Freedman
Like all professions, book selling has its own peculiar nomenclature.
Read MoreIf you can’t remember the name of a book you wish to read, fret not. Here are some ideas for finding it. UPDATED!
Read MoreAn Australian news channel has hit upon an astonishingly original idea: a podcast about coronavirus featuring people who have some idea of what they’re talking about.
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