Do you want to be a better writer in the eyes of your readers? Consider investing ten minutes in a simple exercise. Although it may work for fiction, this one is designed for nonfiction writing. Try this for your next work-related or nonfiction writing project. Begin with a clear idea of a specific reader you […]
Writing
What Alan Alda Understands about Science Writing
A Book Review Short Version If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? by Alan Alda is a terrific addition to your writer’s bookshelf. Although the book focuses on scientific communication, it holds valuable lessons for all nonfiction writers about effective communication. Oh, and it’s fun to read as well. Long Version […]
How to Write Stuff People Want to Read
Finding the Sweet Spot for your Next Nonfiction Writing Project As a thought exercise, take a current writing project you have in front of you – whether that’s a blog post, an article, a book, a memo. It could be nearly anything. Make a list of all the things you want to get across in […]
Better than the Last One
When is something truly finished? You’ve written a blog post, or an article. How good does it have to be before you hit the publish or send button? Do you get stuck in revision, polishing the words or rethinking your approach? Doubting yourself? Putting your words out into the world can be frightening. Perfectionism makes […]
The (Not Really) Shrinking Reader Attention Span
“We are moving from a world where computer power was scarce to a place where it now is almost limitless and where the true scarce commodity is increasingly human attention.” Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft It’s almost a truism that our attention spans are dwindling. What does that mean for writers? First, let’s get our […]
Catching a Flood of Writing Ideas
How do you cope when writing ideas rain down faster than you can catch them? How do handle a creative Muse that delivers batches of writing ideas at inopportune times, like packages that pile up on your doorstep while you’re on vacation? Like summer fruit, inspiration can spoil if left unattended too long. The Creative […]