Writing for who and how

There are as many reasons to write as there are ways to write. You might be writing a book — a memoir, a “do-it-yourself” guide, a work of fiction or history. You might be writing an assignment for school, an email to your team or an invitation to your next epic party. You might beContinue reading “Writing for who and how”

Narrow it down!

I’m often asked how I come up with a topic for my writing, followed by how I narrow down the possibilities. I have to admit, sometimes it’s just a random thought that pops into my head. Other times I draw on an experience. I’ve also learned a few techniques along the way to draw outContinue reading “Narrow it down!”

Where do you place your modifiers?

When you’re writing, it’s important to express your thoughts in a way that doesn’t create confusion. You want your messages to be understood and to inspire or influence. Like getting the comma in the right spot, where you place your modifiers is just as important. A modifier is a word or phrase that modifies —Continue reading “Where do you place your modifiers?”

See the goal. Achieve the goal.

The best way to reach a goal is to start with a clear picture of what you want to achieve. Is your goal to buy a house in the next five years, take a vacation or maybe chip away at a pile of debt you’ve accumulated? Whatever your goal, you’ll need a plan to getContinue reading “See the goal. Achieve the goal.”

Punctuation: Small but mighty!

Do you ever question when to use a comma? Is the right punctuation a colon or a semicolon? Different levels of writing may suggest different uses, but here are some common rules you might find handy. Periods. They go at the end of most sentences, unless you’re injecting excitement or asking a question. But, whereContinue reading “Punctuation: Small but mighty!”

Writing with purpose

I’m sometimes asked to write letters, ads, posts, etc. for my customers. And, of course, I’m always happy to help. Whether it’s a flyer to promote their services or a letter to explain a change, knowing the purpose and what the sender wants the reader to do is an important first step. I like toContinue reading “Writing with purpose”

Five reasons to write!

“I can shake off everything as I write. My sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” ~ Anne Frank There are many good reasons to write. Here are some to consider. 5. It’s a great way to record memories.You’ve had a great vacation. You visited little towns and shops and learned so much about the areaContinue reading “Five reasons to write!”

Right people, right way, right time

I’m a big believer in planning, at least when it comes to communications and business. However, I’m also notorious for jumping in and asking questions later. Go figure! When you’re creative or a dreamer, it’s more fun to jump right into writing than it is to spend time planning your communication. But planning is important!Continue reading “Right people, right way, right time”

Let’s talk jargon

Language is flooded with words that reflect lifestyles, cultural groups dialects, professional practices or occupations, and those that we just plain make up. Jargon is great, if you’re talking with individuals familiar with the business, topic or area. If you’re communicating to a broader diverse audience, using jargon can lead to confusion. Merriam-Webster defines jargonContinue reading “Let’s talk jargon”

Why blog?

I haven’t always been a blogger. In fact, I’ve only really been blogging for a couple years now. I started my blogging as a project for my Toastmasters Club. The project asked me to research blog sites, plan what I would blog about, how frequently and then write eight posts. Writing eight blogs may seemContinue reading “Why blog?”