Published inThe Writing Cooperative·PinnedMember-onlyThe Magic Art of Saying More with LessMetonymy and Synecdoche — A linguistic close-up — The unforgettable opening sequence of Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West spans ten minutes and captivates viewers with barely a word spoken. We are taken to a remote train station where three leather faces wait. Every detail is meticulously portrayed, from cracked knuckles to an irritating fly…Writing With Eloquence5 min readWriting With Eloquence5 min read
Published inBouncin’ and Behavin’ Blogs·1 day agoMember-onlyIt’s the People Who Don’t Talk You Should Listen toThe ones like Keanu who say more by saying less — Quiet thinkers intrigue me. Those who pay attention. The people who speak only to clarify and understand. The ones who hold on to their wisdom because they question their own thinking. We don’t need know-it-alls. The arrogant, overbearing ones with an answer to everything. So undoubting of their self-important and…Introvert5 min readIntrovert5 min read
Published inChange Your Mind Change Your Life·3 days agoMember-only100 Years Before Jordan Petersen, the Author of Treasure Island Gave Us His 12 Rules to Live ByRead these and weep Jordan — there isn’t a bed to be made in this selection — My friends and I use WhatsApp. We share funny stuff and make arrangements to meet up to do stupid things. “Can you pick me up en route?” Ryan messaged. “No problem,” I replied. “If you don’t mind putting up with my rubbishy patter.” John was quick to text. “I can…Life Advice5 min readLife Advice5 min read
Published inBouncin’ and Behavin’ Blogs·Sep 14Member-onlyF**k Boring WritingNobody has to die — but it helps — Mine. My boring writing. My waffling turgid drivel. I read the stuff I wrote yesterday, and it’s mortally mind-numbing. It literally sent me into a self-induced coma. And tomorrow, I’m going to remonstrate with yours truly for using ‘literally’ — and ‘yours truly.’ I’m questioning my ability to write anything…Writing Advice5 min readWriting Advice5 min read
Published inThe Writing Cooperative·Sep 12Member-only3 More Reasons Why I’m Not Buying Your Self-Published BookSort these mistakes and you might find people start buying it — It’s easier to get someone to buy you beer than to get them to part with 99p for a copy of your book. Andy Weir originally published his first novel, The Martian, as a free serial on his website. Some readers requested he make it available on Amazon Kindle. He…Self Publishing6 min readSelf Publishing6 min read
Sep 8Member-onlyWhat is the Most Common Subject Studied by American Billionaires?Hint: It isn’t business, maths or physics — My guess would have been computing, as studied by Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, but it isn’t. Both these bright sparks dropped out to launch their startups. It’s not physics, accounting, or engineering either. The answer is economics. Elon Musk graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, but he…Money6 min readMoney6 min read
Published inBouncin’ and Behavin’ Blogs·Sep 6Member-onlyAn Angry Mother Delivers a Scathing Response to School OfficialsAfter her daughter was punished for punching a classmate — We love to root for the underdog. David and Goliath. Oliver Twist. The Karate Kid. Here is another story that got me where it matters. (I’m an A&E nurse. We’re not allowed our phones on us; they’re to be kept in our lockers. …Stories5 min readStories5 min read
Published inThe Writing Cooperative·Sep 2Member-onlyThis Artful Writing Device Makes Me SmileSticking to this sticky formula can make your audience stick around — The Job Interview (Scene opens in a small, sparsely furnished office. Elizabeth sits behind a tidy desk, and Malky nervously sits across from her.) Elizabeth: (leaning back) So, Malky, tell me about yourself. What skills do you bring to the table? Malky: (nervously) Well, Elizabeth, I’m a quick thinker and I can think…Polyptoton5 min readPolyptoton5 min read
Aug 31Member-onlyThis Article Is For the People Who Followed me in the last MonthIt’s the final one in my follower experiment — I’m Interested — What attracted you to Medium? What you are here to achieve? Why did you follow me? You can comment on this story, send a private note, or email me at mmcewan@madasafish.com Medium is a social site. It’s also a two-way street. It operates a relational model. Which…Followers4 min readFollowers4 min read
Published inSpread the Ripple·Aug 29Member-onlyReading People Is Not as Easy as on TVCan you even trust your best friend? — Dr Cal Lightman is the world’s leading deception expert. He studies facial expressions and involuntary body language to expose the truth behind our lies. He finds the truth where the police have failed, and he makes an honest fortune exploiting his skills. Dr Lightman teaches a course in body language…Friends6 min readFriends6 min read
