My holiday card ritual
It’s that time of year. We’re all getting ready to wave goodbye to the old year and high-five the new one, hoping it brings all the good stuff. And me? I’m still the person clinging to the old ways: I send actual, physical holiday cards. Yup, I buy the paper ones with the fancy foil…
What the heck are KPIs
You hear it all the time in the business world: “We need to focus on our KPIs!” But what exactly are these three little letters, why do they matter, and when do they become essential for your business plan? What exactly is a KPI? Think of it like the dashboard in your car. When you’re…
The joy of a hug
Do people seem more huggy at this time of the year, or is it just me? Personally, I’m not a “hugger.” It’s something I’m working on though. As the holiday season approaches, hugs become more than just a gesture — they’re part of the magic that makes this time of year so special. Whether it’s…
Going it solo
So you ditched the corporate grind to start your own thing? That’s awesome! But let’s be real, going solo in the small business world, is a wild ride with some unexpected bumps. Remember how you always knew what was going on? The latest Google update, the newest marketing strategies, the industry gossip? Now that’s on…
Finding your voice: Lessons from a Humorous Speech Contest
I recently had the pleasure of attending a humorous speech contest, and what an experience it was! Eight different speakers took the stage, each delivering a carefully crafted speech designed to make the audience laugh. The topics were as varied as the personalities: from time travel and family stories to running experiences, life lessons, planning…
Can introverts win in business?
If you value quiet time alone to recharge, reflect and relax over the noise and chaos of a busy world, you just might be an introvert—like me. I have a few close friends, I prefer to write over speaking and I’m easily drained in large social gatherings. So, how does that translate into business success?…
Do homophones trip you up?
Ever typed “their” when you meant “there”? Or maybe “to” instead of “too”? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. These little mix-ups are all thanks to homophones, and they’re one of the sneakiest challenges in the English language. So, what exactly are homophones? They’re words that sound the same but have different meanings—and often different spellings. Think…
Conjunctions: Keeping it all together
Conjunctions are the glue that hold our thoughts together. These small but mighty words—like and, but, or, because and although—help us link ideas, contrast opinions and explain reasons. Without them, our sentences would be short, choppy and disconnected. Imagine trying to write a story or make a persuasive argument without ever connecting your thoughts. Chaos! There are three main…
The recipe rumble
One of the things I’m doing more often now that I’m older is baking. Sometimes it’s easy. Sometimes it’s a little more challenging. I recently tried to follow a recipe I found online for gourmet cookies. It looked easy enough—just a few steps, a nice photo, and a promise of “foolproof results.” I pulled it…
Crafting clear communications
Last week, I stepped outside my comfort zone to create ads and launch online campaigns for a local business. As a writer with limited experience in digital publishing tools, it was a steep learning curve—but I pulled it off. (At least I think I did!) The process reminded me how crucial it is to understand…
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Thank you for following Pen and Patience. I appreciate the support. I like your Blog Site and wish you much success with your endeavors. If you haven’t already, I invite you to stop by http://www.writeradvice.com and read my writing journey under the heading, “You can’t make this stuff up.” It’s titled, “Late Bloomin’ Writer.” It’s never too late to begin writing.
Frances
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Thank you. I will will check it out!
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