Said and Read
Words fascinate me. Their origins, their meanings, their evolution — all of that interests me, and has for as long as I can remember. Words are the building blocks of thought, and the pathway to other minds. They give us a way to externalize the complex and ephemeral thoughts and feelings that make each of us unique in the history and future of the world. In this blog, I’ll share my exploration of (and enthusiasm for) words, language, and communication. I’ll try for a good mix in trivia, tips, and observations.
The Style Edit (continued): Word Search
Part 4 of the self-editing for authors mini-series continues with some ways writers can use the search function to improve style.
The Style Edit: The Sound of Style
Part 4 of self-editing for authors touches on how listening to your work can help you refine your writing style.
The Structural Edit: Following the Thread
Part 3 in the series on how to self-edit is about refining a work’s structure to make sure the story holds together.
The Content Edit | Editing for Coherence
Part 2 of the self-editing mini-series is all about why a reader’s questions are the most valuable tool for content editing.
The most important step in editing your own writing
Effective self-editing is a superpower for any writer, and it starts with one very important step.
Top 3 Communication Tips from a Sheepdog
If a sheepdog can get a flock moving in the same direction, you know he knows a few things about communicating effectively.
If Shakespeare Worked in Corporate Communications
A fun part of ghostwriting or drafting speeches is trying to capture the distinct style and "voice" of someone else's language. Over the past few weeks I’ve been playing around with the idea of how certain famous writers would have fared in the corporate setting....
Rethinking Brevity
The most-repeated advice to communications professionals in the digital era is "shorter is better." I preached it, too, especially when I was doing a lot of web work. It is often great advice, but I've come to think we've been emphasizing the wrong thing. I suspect...
We’ve Heard It All Before
Here’s a simple way to check for cliches in your writing.
Junk English
Junk English comes in many flavors, some of which are very addictive. Overused phrases. Buzz words. Hyperbole. Euphemisms. Filler words. We usually don't notice or mind when someone uses these devices in speech – and most of us do. Sometimes they have redeeming...
