Raise your hand if you’ve ever worried about someone “stealing your idea” – and let that worry stop you from doing something. We’ve all done it at one point or another. But except in patent situations and other unusual cases, those worries are usually unfounded. Worse, they can hurt us as writers. Be careful not […]
Writing in the Zone: Say Hello to Flow
You know when it happens – but only after the fact. You’re absorbed in the writing, the words are pouring out, and suddenly you realize that an hour or two has passed. It’s as if you wake up from the work. Instead of feeling drained, you are energized. Performers and athletes talk about being “in […]
A New Book on Writing in the Workplace
Want to know the strategies I used to fuel a successful consulting and writing practice? My secret practices for writing content that clients value or getting information from reluctant subject matter experts? They’re all yours. Do you set yourself up for success every time you write something? The Workplace Writer’s Process: A Guide to Getting the Job […]
Anyone Can Write, But …
“If you can write, you can write a book! Anyone can write a book!” The world of self-publishing has unleashed a torrent of advice like this, which has in turn spawned a flood of frustrated writers and unsold books. This sales pitch is the perfect expression of the Universal Writer Myth. It’s particularly dangerous and compelling because at […]
Writing Is Effort, Not Destiny
“I’m not a writer writer,” said my friend. I was puzzled. She has extensive experience as a technical writer and is paid to write for a living. People value her output. But her training and background is in engineering, so she doesn’t feel like she’s really a writer. Here’s a clue: if someone is paying you to […]
When Fear Interferes With Writing
One morning last week, I woke up with a crushing sense of doubt about the book I’m about to publish. The manuscript was with the editor, and I was starting the book launch phase. The first step is sending the book to people I know and trust for their feedback. This is when fear pushed into […]