Hannah Aster

SEO Team Lead

Hannah is a seasoned writer and editor who started her journey with Shortform nearly five years ago. She grew up reading mostly fiction books but transitioned to non-fiction writing when she started her travel website in 2018. When she's not writing or traveling, you can find Hannah working on home reno projects, crafting, or taking care of plants.

Expertise

Graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English and minors in professional and creative writing

How to End a Story: Tips for Nonfiction Writers

What makes a good story ending? What are some things you should consider when writing the ending for a nonfiction piece? Beginning and ending stories are some of the hardest things to do for a writer. A good ending should leave the reader feeling satisfied and give them something to think about. An ending shouldn’t simply summarize what a reader has already read. Here’s how to end a story right, according to writer and literary critic William Zinsser.

How to Write About Science and Technology

Do you write about science and technology? How can you make your writing sound less robotic? When people write about science and technology, they tend to lack humanity, making the piece too boring and matter-of-fact. To make your technical writing more interesting, focus on humanity first and incorporate facts and statistics only if they add to the story. Here’s how to make your technical writing more interesting.

Netflix Expands Mobile Gaming With Next Games

Have you heard about Netflix mobile games? Neither have a lot of people, but it’s already available for mobile users worldwide. Find out more about this move and what’s next for Netflix. What Is Netflix Gaming? On November 9th, 2021, Netflix announced that their games were available globally on Android and iOS devices. Want to see for yourself? Open up the Netflix app on your phone and check out the tabs at the bottom. There’s no additional cost to access these games, all you need is a Netflix subscription. Some of their most popular games at the moment are Asphalt Xtreme,

10 Can’t Hurt Me Challenges From David Goggins

What Can’t Hurt Me challenges does David Goggins propose to his readers? Could completing these challenges help you reach your own goals? In his book Can’t Hurt Me, former Navy SEAL and ultra-racer David Goggins presents ten challenges to his readers. The goal of these challenges is to help you work efficiently towards your goals and overcome obstacles in your life. Here are David Goggins’s ten challenges.

How to Begin a Story Without Being Cliché

Do you want to know how to begin a story? What kinds of story leads should you avoid? Opening a story can be the most intimidating part. The first line of a story is what sets the scene in the readers’ minds, so it should be compelling. However, many writers fall into the same traps. Here’s how to begin a story without being cliché.

The Way of the Samurai: Principles for Success

Who were the Samurai and what was their job? Do the Japanese Samurai still exist? The Samurai were the warriors of premodern Japan whose role was to defend territories and fight enemies of the authorities. While the Samurai have ceased to exist as an active force, samurai principles still apply to some modern martial arts contexts. In his book The Book of Five Rings (The Wind Book), Miyamoto Musashi highlights two such principles: know your competitor and use skill over strength. Here’s how the samurai principles apply to the modern-day.

How to Use Rapid Logging in a Bullet Journal

What is rapid logging? What are the benefits of rapid logging your journal entries? Rapid logging is a method used to take quick, shorthand notes. This method is often used while daily logging in your bullet journal because you can take quick notes on daily events without getting bogged down. Here’s how to use rapid logging in a bullet journal.

Miyamoto Musashi’s Philosophy in The Ground Book

What does legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi write in The Ground Book in The Book of Five Rings? Why does Musashi put so much emphasis on the fundamentals? In The Book of Five Rings, Miyamoto Musashi’s philosophy is that in order to become a great samurai, one must first master the fundamentals. He believed in a student-centric approach to teaching, where the master is simply there to help guide the student on their own journey. Here are Musashi’s lessons from the Ground Book.

Can’t Hurt Me: Book Overview (David Goggins)

Looking for a Can’t Hurt Me book overview? How can David Goggins inspire you to overcome any challenge? David Goggins is a former Navy SEAL and ultra-runner. In his book Can’t Hurt Me, he details his life from an overweight, pest control worker to one of America’s most highly-trained warriors. His goal is to show readers that, if you push yourself, you can overcome any obstacle that comes your way. Here’s an overview of Goggins’s book.

How to Write the Beginning, Middle, and End of a Story

What makes a good story? What are the key elements of a story that’s enticing and compelling to read? It’s one thing to be a good writer, but it’s another thing to know how to write a good story. To keep your readers’ attention throughout the piece, the beginning, middle, and end of a story should flow together logically and coherently. Here are some tips from writer and journalist William Zinsser.