Accepting edits, feedback, and constructive criticism of our writing can be uncomfortable – but to grow as writers, we need to be open to changes that improve the writing. That’s how we work on our craft. Sometimes, however, feedback doesn’t serve the reader or make the work better. Instead, it targets the writer, shaking their confidence […]
Writing
The Curse of Purpose: Writing with Too Much Passion
A local news broadcast the other night showed a clip of a woman being dragged away from the audience at an event discussing immigration. It looked like she was given the floor to pose a question, and then launched into a diatribe that led to her removal. The debate over immigration is heated, and the […]
Finding Purpose Through Writing
Follow your passion. That advice is thrown around like beads at Mardi Gras. But catching the passion – well, that can be much trickier. The advice is not terribly helpful. Worse, it makes people feel like they are somehow empty, meaningless beings if they don’t know what their passion is. If the lack of ‘passion’ […]
Books for Writers: When by Daniel Pink
The Short Version Daniel Pink’s latest book, When: The Scientific Secrets to Perfect Timing, may help you be more productive as a writer. This is yet another in a series of reviews of Books for Writers – books that are not, ostensibly, about writing, yet offer important insights into the practice or craft. The […]
Revision and the Art of Letting Go
The other day I was working with a writer who was struggling to revise a short, online marketing post with a strong call to action. The draft started with a catchy opening line – one that had worked well in another campaign. This specific post needed to communicate several ideas to set up its call […]
Perennial Seller (A Book Review)
The Short Version: A Welcome Focus on the Long Haul In an age of short attention spans, failing fast, and unicorns, Ryan Holiday has written a refreshing book about creating work that lasts. The advice in Perennial Seller applies to all creative endeavors, from building companies to writing books. It’s both realistic and inspiring. The […]
