Writing Tips
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 [...]
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 [...]
Any travel writers out there? Anyone who writes travel guides? Care to share?
I’ve always thought being a freelance travel writer would be a wonderful gig. How could you not like going to interesting places, meeting interesting people — then getting paid to write about it?
Since I’ve never been a travel writer, and never written any travel guides, I’m sure that’s an incredibly naive view of the business.
So [...]
How do you recognize when your writing simply isn’t working? How do you start over?
If you’ve written much, you know what I mean when I say there comes a time when the writing just isn’t working. No matter what type of writing you do, I’ll bet you’ve been there once or twice — that point when you realize the plot just won’t move, the characters are unreal, the dialog [...]
Key to successful online ad copy: Write something that draws targeted traffic
Let’s suppose you’ve invented something that you’re sure will change the world, and now you want to put your miracle product/service online and watch the world change — and your fortune grow. Perhaps it’s a marvelous electronic gizmo or gadget you know every household needs at a price you know they can afford. Perhaps it’s [...]
One of the joys of writing these days: Your office can be almost anywhere
I’m writing this sitting in a recliner in my 102-year-old home in Springfield, Missouri. Where are you reading it?
The beauty of being a writer in our age is that “office” can mean anywhere you like — and your readers can be worldwide. If you blog, you can publish your writing and get it to your [...]
More about deadlines: Don’t panic, just get to work one task at a time
A deadline is only daunting if you 1) ignore it hoping it’ll somehow go away, or, 2) procrastinate. Well, sure, some deadlines are harder than others, because they may seem impossibly near, even if you’ve made a conscientious effort to work promptly and hard on them.
I have found that the best way to deal with [...]
How much research is enough research before you start writing?
How do you decide when you’ve done enough research on a project and you’ve reached the point when you’re ready to write? Or is there a distinct threshold or starting point when you research a writing project?
I think, personally, there is no fixed or set guideline for when, what, or how much to research before [...]
McClellan’s ‘tell all’: Was his use of research materials somehow wrong?
I just read a somewhat bizarre article in The Washington Times regarding former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan’s “tell all” book about his years in the White House. I’m sure you’ve read about the book, perhaps read excerpts, and probably have seen McClellan being interviewed about it.
The chief criticism in that WT article could [...]
All writers need deadlines to give focus to their work
Some years ago I worked at a job that required meeting two daily deadlines. It was a newspaper. Between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. I had to meet a first-edition deadline and a second-edition deadline. The pace was fun and exciting — for the first couple of years.
After a year or two, [...]
Writing seasonal stories? Deadlines make this whatever season you need it to be
When I look out the windows on a snowy street scene in mid- to late-December, I find it easy to think and write about Christmas. I’m sure you do, too.
But what about trying to come up with copy for Halloween invitations or New Year’s Eve stories in mid-July? Does that pose more of a challenge [...]
My Western blog project has been reborn — have a look, but be gentle
I posted here a couple of days ago regarding a writing project I felt compelled to abandon because of possible copyright problems. I “killed” the “Tales of the Old West” site which I’d never done much with.
But out of that death came rebirth (does the term “Phoenix” sound familiar?), and this new project is more [...]
