How Big Is Your Diction?
This Week In Writing, we break out the thesaurus to compare diction size and explore the power of unique words.
I had a friend in high school who loved telling people about the size of his diction. It was his favorite joke and probably tells you all about who I was in high school. Diction, in case you are wondering why any of this is funny, is the choice of words — or an old way of saying vocabulary.
If you use Grammarly, you likely get the weekly status report emails. Each week I’m floored by the number of unique words I use — last week, it was 7,216! I guess you can say I’m a fan of words.
My favorite word (thanks to my 10th grade English teacher) is tintinnabulation, the ringing or sounding of bells. While bells are nice, the word itself is magical. All those onomatopoeic syllables that mimic bells ringing. It’s a great word.
Today is National Thesaurus Day, so there’s no better time to celebrate the power of unique words. What is your favorite word, and where did you first learn it?
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Does My Journal Need a Backup
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Journals Aren’t Forever
This Just In: After over 13 years, I’ve deleted the Day One journal app. Here’s what it helped me realize about software subscriptions.
This One Has No Direction
This Just In: Tried, drained, and a little burnt out isn’t exactly the best time to focus on your writing, but it’s why you do it anyway.
AI Exposes the Deeper Rifts in the Writing Industry
This Just In: Monetization turns passions into sweatshops and AI is making it worse.
The Cost of Rebellion
This Just In: Rebellions are built on hope, but they require individual sacrifices for collective improvement.
Abuse of Power Comes for Nonprofits
This Just In: Wikipedia’s 501(c)(3) tax exemption is threatened, but not by the IRS.
How to Move to Ghost In 2025
This Just In: Own your own publication by launching a website running Ghost. It’s not as difficult as it sounds.
AI Killed NaNoWriMo
This Just In: The writing month challenge may be dead, but there’s a new option to keep writers going.
The Age of Reaction
This Just In: We’ve fallen into a dramascroll trap that will be very difficult to climb out of, but it isn’t impossible.
A Few More Thoughts on Copyright
This Just In: The history of copyright might be fraught, but it exposes a bigger issue when creating online.
Copyright in the Age of AI
This Just In: What does copyright do and does it even matter anymore?
Tapestry Is Weaving the Future Web
This Just In: The Iconfactory’s smash new app is a return to the web’s roots and where we all need to head.
The Cost of Simplification
This Just In: Owning your own platform can be complicated and sometimes simplifying can be costly.
A Bit About Me
This Just In: I answer interview questions that cover my views on writing and more.
The Perils of Personal Platforms
What does it actually mean to leave the world of commercial platforms behind?
Update Those Mute Filters
This Just In: Let’s collectively scream into the infinite abyss, find ourselves, and make the world better.
It’s Time to Rebel from Mass Market Social Media
This Just In: IT is the villain in Silo. We should learn from those in the Down Deep and rise up.
The Forthcoming First Amendment Fight
This Just In: So-called defenders of free speech are taking office, and we’re all in trouble. Plus, more predictions for 2025.
What Happens When Everything is Paywalled
This Just In: Wealth is becoming a determining factor in the type of World Wide Web you can access. And I’m not talking about speed.
Platforms Are Getting Much Worse
This Just In: Platforms want us to know exactly who controls the internet. It’s not us, but it can be!
Is Reading Dying
This Just In: AI summaries and the pivot to video are bad news for the written word.
Empire Strikes Back Isn’t the End of the Series
This Just In: Last week sucked, but there is always hope.
Are Apple’s Writing Tools the Right Stuff
This Just In: Apple Intelligence offers the boring version of AI I’ve hoped for, but is it helpful for writers?
This One’s for the Fans
This Just In: Jimmy Buffet gets the due he deserves and shows what creative passion is all about.
When Creating Stops Being Fun
This Just In: knowing when (and how) to hit delete is important for every creator’s sanity.
We Shouldn’t Have Taken Milton’s Stapler...
This Just In: Hurricane Milton is becoming a real problem, and I’m exhausted.
When Gamification Goes Awry
Writing days, health rings, Duolingo… there are more streaks than time.
New Phone Who Dis
New technology fuels a desire to create but can also be overwhelming and lead to unmet expectations.
Hitting the Reset Button
LLM scraping is a virus eating up the internet, but I’m done fighting. Instead, I choose open access and human connection.
Advice for Medium Writers Choose Publications Wisely
Just because you CAN submit to a specific publication doesn’t mean you SHOULD.
Medium Day 2024: Questions I Didn't Have Time to Answer
A collection of all the questions I didn’t have time for during my 30-minute Medium Day presentation.
Is Generative AI Destroying the Open Web
Subscription walls prevent AI scraping, but at what cost? I’m rethinking my whole publishing strategy.
Our Words Are Our Legacy
Creativity is a clash between individualism and our connection to history.
Fandom Is Being Ruined by "Fans"
How review-bombing and constant, unfounded criticism takes agency away from creators
The Downside of Personal Platforms
Creators need to think carefully about their personal sites and build in a way that prevents link rot.
When Art Inspires Life
The magic of writing, travel, and movies about Japan.
Is Apple Intelligence the AI for the Rest of Us
This Just In: Apple’s forthcoming entry into AI promises a private, personalized AI, but will it increase AI slop?
Maybe I’m Bad at Social Media
Social media “growth” requires giving in to quantity over quality. I don’t play that game.
Share, But Don’t Spoil
A more personal internet relies on user recommendations but doesn’t spoil their experience.
Let’s Talk About Streaking
This Just In: I’ve racked up a 56-day streak, but not in writing. Plus, I talk about Eurovision.
Chase Your Dreams and See What Happens
This Just In: Mental health is a massive part of confidence and success. Dreams are inspiration. Use them.
Generative AI in Creativity
The reader survey results have some interesting things to say about generative AI and creativity. Here’s why that’s a problem.
What Is Your Freelance Writing Rate
Writing jobs are evaporating for many reasons, but freelance rates were really bad long before AI came around.
Why Criticize When You Can Celebrate?
The attention economy destroyed our ability to dream for the sake of page views. It’s time we refocus our attention.
Can We Find a Balance With AI?
The dichotomy of AI continues to baffle me as I see the good and the bad. Where do we draw the line, and how do we learn to live with this technology?
Where Have All the Cowboys Gone
This Just In: social media is bleeding users, but where are they going?
Write Like Taylor Swift
Embrace life’s many eras and stop trying to be a one-dimensional writer.
Metrics Don’t Matter
Have we become so accustomed to seeing metrics everywhere that they no longer mean anything?
Celebrating a Decade on Medium
Looking back at the past ten years of writing on Medium and what comes next.
Creation and Destruction Are Connected
This Just In: The act of creating something is more important than the act of publishing what is made.
Don’t Take My Word for It
This Just In: Personalized recommendations are the new algorithms and the best way to build a true audience.
Don’t Feed the AI Beast
This Just In: Justin’s writing requires a subscription to prevent AI abuse; consider your own precautions.
Sending Emails Is Hard
This Just In: Google and Yahoo crack down on bad behavior; set your DKIM, DMARC, and SPF records now.
Why Is Branding So Difficult?
This Just In: This Week In Writing rebrands; still explores the world with creativity and curiosity.
Why Make Anything if You Don’t Think It Will Be Great?
This Week In Writing, we discuss greatness and how chasing it is a possible and noble goal.
Pay People Not Platforms
This Week In Writing, we look at why Substack’s collapse is actually a good thing for paid newsletters.
Let's Make the Internet Personal Again
This Week In Writing, we look at the once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a new internet filled with fun and originality.
Raising the Bar at the Writing Cooperative
This Week In Writing, we look at changes to our publication standards and what they mean for you.
Advent, Waiting, and the Year of Transitions
This Week In Writing, we look back at the year that was and determine what it means for the year to come.
Refilling the Creativity Tank
This Week In Writing, we discuss what happens when creativity finds other outlets.
Celebrate Giving Tuesday
This Week In Writing, we take a quick break from our regularly scheduled programming to celebrate nonprofit organizations.
It’s Time We Discuss Medium
This Week In Writing, we address the platform that has supported my writing for nearly a decade.
My First Year on Mastodon and the Future of Social Media
This Week In Writing, we look back at how social media fractured and why it’s a good thing for us all.
The Economics of a Self-Hosted Newsletter
This Week In Writing, we talk about what happens when you eliminate platforms and go after it on your own.
Trick or Treat?
This Week In Writing, we talk about pen names and whether they make sense for writers.
A New Era Begins
This Week In Writing, we explore the internet’s current metamorphosis and how you can be part of the revolution.
My History of Blogging
This Week In Writing, we celebrate the blog, explore the pendulum of online writing, and double down on quality.
An Update on Spam Submissions
This Week In Writing, we talk about spam submissions to The Writing Cooperative and look at some of your thoughts on being called AI.
Would You Want to Know if I Thought Your Writing Sounded Like AI
This Week In Writing, we talk about submissions to The Writing Cooperative and how to avoid false accusations.
How I Feel About Engagement Numbers
This Week In Writing, we discuss what engagement means and if I get discouraged by a perceived lack thereof. Plus, a look at the future (again).
My Writing Is About Building Community
This Week In Writing, we highlight some of the people I’ve met writing online and answer some of your questions.
It’s Time for a Fresh Start
This Week In Writing, we talk about new Apple products, home renovations, and changes to the newsletter.
Choose Your Own Design
This Week In Writing, we explore the wonderful world of blogs, where writers truly get creative.
Expanding Universes Make Better Stories
This Week In Writing, we look at how worldbuilding is an essential part of epic storytelling.
Your Questions Answered
This Week In Writing, we recap a successful Medium Day and address some of the questions I didn’t have time to answer.
Saving Frequently Isn’t The Only Way To Backup Your Writing
This Week In Writing, we take a hard lesson from the latest Twitter/X hijinks. Plus, we look at what “human writing” means.
MIT Says ChatGPT Improves Bad Writing, But At What Cost?
This Week In Writing, we explore how ChatGPT and Grammarly are making us all sound the same.
Do CTAs Even Work Anymore?
This Week In Writing, we explore the “necessary evil” of calls to action and ask if they are any better than tacky banner ads.
AI Is Now Everywhere
This Week In Writing, we talk about Google’s new AI plan, what it means for writers, and why resistance is futile.
My Ghostly Strategy: Avoid the Graveyard
This Week In Writing, we fully explore how I’m building Ghost into a self-hosted content hub and how you can too.
Another Platform Collapses
This Week In Writing, we talk about Reddit and what it means for centralized communities moving forward.
Stop Choosing Sides on AI
This Just In: Holding two conflicting ideas about AI isn’t weakness. It's the only honest position.
What I've Been Working On
This Just In: I'm not "back" but I'm getting there.
Unchecked Writing
This Just In: I stopped using Grammarly; have you noticed? Plus, a deeper exploration into AI writing and my friend the em dash.
What I Did Different With This Book
This Just In: Launching a second edition wasn’t as simple as I thought it’d be, and I learned some lessons along the way.
Let’s Talk About Tools
This Just In: There’s no single tool that can do everything and it’s extremely frustrating.
Battle of the Book Builders
This Just In: I tried to format my book using Vellum and Atticus. Instead, I learned something about app design and limitations.
Does My Journal Need a Backup
This Just In: I took a lot of your suggestions to heart and gave Obsidian a try. What I found was a bigger question.
Journals Aren’t Forever
This Just In: After over 13 years, I’ve deleted the Day One journal app. Here’s what it helped me realize about software subscriptions.
How to Move to Ghost In 2025
This Just In: Own your own publication by launching a website running Ghost. It’s not as difficult as it sounds.
Tapestry Is Weaving the Future Web
This Just In: The Iconfactory’s smash new app is a return to the web’s roots and where we all need to head.
The Perils of Personal Platforms
What does it actually mean to leave the world of commercial platforms behind?
Are Apple’s Writing Tools the Right Stuff
This Just In: Apple Intelligence offers the boring version of AI I’ve hoped for, but is it helpful for writers?
When Gamification Goes Awry
Writing days, health rings, Duolingo… there are more streaks than time.
New Phone Who Dis
New technology fuels a desire to create but can also be overwhelming and lead to unmet expectations.
Is Apple Intelligence the AI for the Rest of Us
This Just In: Apple’s forthcoming entry into AI promises a private, personalized AI, but will it increase AI slop?
Creation and Destruction Are Connected
This Just In: The act of creating something is more important than the act of publishing what is made.
Sending Emails Is Hard
This Just In: Google and Yahoo crack down on bad behavior; set your DKIM, DMARC, and SPF records now.
Why Make Anything if You Don’t Think It Will Be Great?
This Week In Writing, we discuss greatness and how chasing it is a possible and noble goal.
It’s Time for a Fresh Start
This Week In Writing, we talk about new Apple products, home renovations, and changes to the newsletter.
My Return to Journaling Failed Miserably
This Week In Writing, we talk about good intentions, rumored Apple products, and buying domain names
Why Haven’t You Enabled This Essential iOS Feature
I requested this feature a decade ago, it was added to iOS three years ago, and so many people haven’t turned it on.
How to Move Your Digital Brain From Notion to Reminders
I used Notion as a project management system but replaced it with Apple’s Reminders. Here’s how you can, too.
My Favorite Under-the-Radar iOS 16 Features
The new Lock Screen and battery indicator might get all the press, but there are better reasons to upgrade.
Spring Into the Best Twitter Client You’ve Never Heard Of
How does the Spring Twitter client by Junyu Kuang stack up to Tweetbot and Twitterrific?
Make Your Writing Space More Comfortable
This Month In Writing, we explore simple ways to improve your writing space and the best advice published in June.
The Curious Case of the 13” M2 MacBook Pro
Why does the 13” M2 MacBook Pro still exist, and what does it mean for the future of Apple’s laptop lineup?
Are You Organized?
This Week In Writing, we look at digital organization techniques to keep all of our drafts, research, and ideas safe.
Don’t Expect An Apple M2 Chip at WWDC
With the two-year transition to Apple Silicon complete, we know when to expect new products.
Apple Swung and Missed with the Studio Display
Want a bigger iMac? Too bad.
Got a Notion for freelancing?
Does the endlessly customizable Notion make freelancing easier, or is the tool’s neverending optimization a turn-off? Let’s find out!
Data Privacy and Mailing Hard Drives
Thanks to an affinity for films like Minority Report, Enemy of the State, and Anon, I take my data privacy seriously. Do you?
How Big Is Your Diction?
This Week In Writing, we break out the thesaurus to compare diction size and explore the power of unique words.
Are You Living Like The Jetsons?
We may not live like The Jetsons, but tools like Apple’s Shortcuts help us save time and make living in the real world more enjoyable.
You’re Drastically Underusing Shortcuts — Here’s Why
Now that Siri Shortcuts is available on macOS, the powerful app makes automating tasks in three common apps much easier.
One Easy Way To Eliminate Spam
Email sucks, but it doesn’t have to. Here’s how 33Mail, SimpleLogin, or Apple’s Hide My Email can eliminate spam and secure your privacy.
Do You Write For Accessibility?
This Week In Writing we want to ensure everyone has equal access to our writing. Here are ways to write for accessibility.
I Switched From 1Password to Keychain — Here's Why
Not only have I switched from 1Password to Keychain, but I’m not looking back
Free Tools For Accessible Writing
While I am not an expert, I learned a lot about accessible writing while redesigning my website. Here are the four free tools I used.
I’m Spying On You Right Now
You’re being watched. Can you feel it? As you read this post, little bots behind the scenes track you and your interactions. Creepy, right?
Even With Peacock, NBC Doesn’t Understand Streaming
I thought Peacock would be a hub of streaming Olympic content. Unfortunately, Peacock proved NBC doesn’t understand streaming.
How To Move Content From Medium to WordPress
Are you looking to move content from Medium to WordPress? You’ve come to the right place. Let me walk you through the process.
Black Widow Premier Access Proves Movie Theaters Are Obsolete
I paid $29.99 to not deal with other people. It was wonderful.
Write Every Day With Siri Shortcuts and Day One
Want to know how I developed a 3+ year daily writing habit? Follow this guide to build a Siri Shortcut, and you’ll write every day, too!
I Bought a Selfie Ring Light
One step in my journey to becoming an influencer/thought leader/whatever you want to call me
The Life-Changing Power of GTD For Freelance Writers
Evaluating Trello, ClickUp, and Notion to stay organized and productive
Level Up Your Productivity Through Budgeting
Do you know where your money goes? What about your time? Here are four rules for better writing.
Don’t Sleep on the New M1 Mac Mini
Apple’s latest base-model computer brings powerful performance at a bargain price.
Get In The Mood: Level Up Your Writing Soundtrack
Help your mind focus while having a little fun by setting up a custom writing playlist
This Just In: Bio Tracking
Do you know what your resting heart rate is?
This Just In: Apple Updates
Why I’m using Google Chrome again…
How I Write From Home
Invest in your comfort and your productivity will increase
What Happens When You Lose The Muse
Writing lessons from Jony Ive’s departure from Apple.
I Still Know All The Words to “The Sign”
What I learned fixing my iTunes Library.
Introducing SiriLibs: The First Mad Libs Style Game For Siri Shortcuts
Today, I’m releasing a new shortcut based on the class Mad Libs game for children: SiriLibs!
Siri Shortcuts: The Best Part of iOS 12
I’ve been playing with Shortcuts all week and the app is insanely powerful.
Tweetbot vs. Twitterriffic
The Battle of Twitter’s Third-Party Apps
I’m a Slave to My Wrist
Impulse Purchases Lead to Habit Changes