Author Archives: jamesbhouston
About jamesbhouston
I am a freelance writer and editor. My blog is a record of my efforts to learn and understand more about writing, language, and how great things find their way from the brain to the page.Photo Friday
I’d rather have gold in my eyes than in my hands. Right Froggy?
5 Bad Things I Do, 10 Ways I’m Getting Better
Self-diagnosis of problems has always been one of my core competencies. But finding problems is only worthwhile as a means of finding solutions. Today I’m going to try with five of the worst. Running from stuckness - Is there any more familiar… continue reading »
Be Careful What You Write In The Morning
Try something. As long as you have healthy arms and shoulders I promise it’s not dangerous: Stand dead-center in the nearest single doorway with your arms at your sides, and then press them out against the sides of the… continue reading »
Photo Friday
If you like wine, check out some reviews of east coast tasting rooms I wrote for the great just-launched site American Winery Guide. Have a major weekend.
The Substance of a Blog Post
I’ve been reading Copyblogger a lot lately–it’s a great blog–and this post got me thinking hard about what I’m doing on blog.jamesbhouston.com Conclusion: I am going to reduce posting frequency here to 2x/week, and am going to increase brain cell… continue reading »
The Value of a Word
“I am seeking a writer to create a 30 page report on green smoothie recipes for weight loss. This will be a VERY FAST/EASY project for the right skilled writer. . . By applying for/accepting this job, you agree this is… continue reading »
Seven-Month Review, Part I
It’s been seven months since I decided to leave my previous vocation and build a writing and editing business. I’m happy with how things have gone so far, while also acutely aware of how much more there is to… continue reading »
Almost there!
“But “almost” is also a stringer, a filler. Two extra syllables, like blush after makeup, just that requisite fuzziness, like ambiguity in an instance of total candor.” -André Aciman, writing in The New York Times, 9/15/12 Even though he… continue reading »
Photo Friday
Carry that weight.
The Aristocrats!
Looking over my early attempts at writing, I notice an over-reliance on punchlines. In fiction, lots of Sixth Sense/Usual Suspects plot twists or answer keys to convoluted puzzles. In essays, a too-well-explained acknowledgement at the end that an opposing viewpoint… continue reading »