Author Archive
Any technical writers out there? Tell us about your career, what you do, what you don’t do
I’ve been intrigued lately with some things I’ve been reading about technical writing and technical writers. As far as I understand the job, you could almost think of it as a writing equivalent of “magician.”
A good technical writer has the ability to organize, categorize, and simplify jobs and equipment so those of us who barely [...]
Do online collection agencies need copywriters? I wonder
I will confess that my wife and I have received those no-fun letters/warnings from commercial collection agencies. You may know what I mean. The letter sequence starts with something polite and gracious, but if you can’t pay up and they need to send you additional letters, or even make phone calls, the content and tone [...]
Useful tips for using AdSense on your website
One of the ways you can make at least a bit of money through your Internet writing and blogging work is to use Google AdSense on your site.
If you haven’t yet heard of AdSense or signed up for an account, you need to go here to the AdSense site and find out all about the [...]
ChaCha — another online income possibility for ambitious writers
I’ve written here from time to time about how difficult it can be to really make any money writing for the Internet. I’ve touched on the outrageously poor pay many people offer those they hire to write articles for website content. I’ve also told you of my experiences writing blog posts for money.
My daughter has [...]
Features of newest WordPress 2.6
Here’s a short video from the WordPress people about the newly released version 2.6. I’m always personally a little hesitant to upgrade too quickly to any version of any software I own. I’d rather let other folks try it out for awhile to help get any major bugs out of it.
But this newest WP version, [...]
The difficulty of living in the ‘in-between’ world of freelance writers
When I was in high school, I read a journalism textbook specifically about those who wanted to become “freelance writers,” and decided that was what I wanted to be when I grew up.
Many, MANY years later, I’m still a practicing freelance writer. With a few more years of such practice, maybe I’ll get it right. [...]
Tip for online writing — write reviews of products, websites
I’ve had a modest amount of success online lately doing reviews of various products and websites on one of my marketing ventures. People love to read reviews of products and services, mostly because they want to get others’ opinions before making a purchase or using a service.
Whether we’re talking about a diet pill review, a [...]
For those times when writing is a hassle, take Thoreau’s advice and simplify
“Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity!” The quote website I found told me those words of Henry David Thoreau are from the chapter “Where I Lived and What I Lived For” in his delightful philosophical essay/book, “Walden.”
I don’t have my “Walden” handy to check the quote, but I do recall reading it years ago and remembering the quote [...]
How’s your summer? I’m working on some old book manuscripts myself
Let me be very honest about this: I am not a published novelist. I read a lot of novels. I have some friends and personal acquaintances who are published novelists.
I, however, have never exercised the self-discipline in “practice” which I “preach” about regarding steady, daily work on a novel until it gets done. I have [...]
Just between you and me: multi-tasking gets harder with age
There was a time when I could work out on one of those fancy NordicTrack ellipticals or other exercise equipment, listen to a CD on my walkman (sure, I’m old; never owned an iPod), interview a fellow exerciser, and take notes for the interview profile practically all at the same time.
These days, if the cat’s [...]
Never underestimate the power of well-written ad copy
In the “real” world, there would be absolutely no market for diet pills. In the “real” world, losing weight simply means eating less food and getting more exercise. Of course, in the world we live in, diet pills, diet plans, special foods, and various weight-loss groups still can’t accomplish lasting weight loss for most people.
In [...]
Good research, careful observation may uncover surprising story ideas
Here’s an important lesson for beginning writers: Keep your eyes open, do your research, and you never know when something useful will pop up for your writing.
A few months ago I worked for awhile with a guy who used to do telemarketing for an online hotel reservation chain. You know the sort of business I [...]
Not hanging out here as much anymore — such is my new ‘day job’
I am sorry to say that, after doing this for several years, I’m sort of putting the blog into a state of “semi-retirement.”
Due to the 1) increased hours I must spend at my “day job,” 2) the lack of comments and/or participation by most of the people who visit here and read my ramblings, and, [...]
A pearl is a pearl is a pearl — do your research carefully
I really know very little about jewelry in general, and even less about pearls in particular. Doing some research for a writing project, I discovered my understanding of saltwater pearls and freshwater pearls was seriously lacking.
I always thought freshwater pearls were, well, sort of “fake” or less desirable than “real” or saltwater pearls. I never [...]
Which expression do you prefer — ‘adult diaper’ or ‘adult incontinence product’?
I’m not asking which you prefer to USE, of course, but which you prefer to read or see in print — adult diaper or adult incontinence product.
What we’re talking about here, in writing terms, is the use of a euphemism — which one online source defines as: “Substitution of a delicate or inoffensive term or [...]
