A “learning curve” is a visual device used to illustrate the average rate of learning for a skill or tool. Essentially, it is a line chart that shows the learner’s level of proficiency and how it changes over time.

Take a look at the two following charts. The first one illustrates a steep learning curve, while the second shows a more gradual slope. If you take a look at the labels on the axes, you’ll note that the steep curve shows the “knowledge” unit is increasing at a faster rate. That means something with a steep learning curve is easier than something with a gradual slope. Make sense?

I know I’ve been guilty of misusing this term in the past, but have been making an effort to avoid it more recently. It’s a good thing to word around when you’re writing, as using it in the correct context is likely to do nothing but cause confusion at this point. (At least, for general audiences. Depending on your niche, your readers might understand.)

I have asked myself that question countless times. You too have probably spent hours trying to think up a concept for a post on your blog. Inspiration comes and goes. It’s the curse of the writer.

Even worse: you think of a great idea while you’re raking leaves or waiting in line somewhere, only to forget it by the time you are able to sit down in front of a computer.

I have a solution for both problems, and it’s incredibly simple. Keep a file of post ideas. It could be one of those nifty Moleskine notebooks, a text file on your desktop, a shoebox full of scrap paper you scribbled notes on or—my personal favorite—the wonderful cross-platform Evernote software.

Whenever you have an idea, make a note of it. When you need an idea, withdraw one from your stash.

Easy, right? As I said before, I like Evernote. I have a notebook for post ideas on each of my blogs. If I find a web page worth writing about, I can clip it into Evernote using the “Site Memory” bookmarklet. If I think of something interesting while I’m away from a computer, I can punch it into the iPhone app. I can even take photos and save them into the notebook.

The developer of Scrivener has a great deal for NaNoWriMo participants. You can download a fully-functioning trial of Scrivener 2.0 for Mac or a beta of the Windows version, and use it throughout NaNoWriMo. If you complete the full 50,000 word quota, you get a coupon for 50% off a Scrivener license. If you don’t manage to meet the goal, you can still get a 20% discount if you use a coupon code. It even comes preloaded with a NaNoWriMo novel template with the word count goal set to 50,000 words (and a tool to export a scrambled version of your novel for NaNoWriMo’s word count tool).

Scrivener NaNoWriMo 2010 Offer [Literature and Latte]

Seeing as many of you are bloggers, it’s not too great a leap to assume that some of you might be interested in trying your hand at fiction. What better motivation than a deadline and Internet Fame and Glory™?

Have an idea for a novel? Register at NaNoWriMo.org and try to clear your November calendar of time-consuming distractions. If you set aside some time each day to write at least 1666 words, and don’t slack off during your writing time, the project shouldn’t keep you from doing other things.

I’m probably going to give NaNoWriMo a try this year, finally. What about you?