The Mixed Metaphor and its Relatives
A succession of metaphors or similes drawn from different fields of comparison sometimes produces a laughably clashing effect – even…
A succession of metaphors or similes drawn from different fields of comparison sometimes produces a laughably clashing effect – even…
The good comedian builds a joke up carefully: all the necessary details appear one by one (and sometimes some unnecessary…
Here are some familiar nursery rhymes in an unfamiliar guise – as if composed by a poet who lacked the…
A writer’s plan or outline is in some ways like a traveller’s itinerary. Follow the instructions, and you will produce…
For some lucky creative writers, planning apparently takes place subconsciously. The poem or play or story seems to present itself…
Here is some folk wisdom for writers and speakers: First I tells ‘em what I,m going to tell ‘ em,…
Here is a notice that appeared on various London buses in early 1988. The information it tries to convey will…
Some writers lose patience with methodical planning. Either they cannot generate enough ideas in the first place, or else they…