Will readers know your shorthand?

The first line of a writer’s Facebook post gave me pause:

“I spoke to a class of nursing students via Zoom about our experiences with FTD.”

I could only guess the meaning of those initials. Decades ago, broadcaster Arthur Godfrey had often advertised Florists’ Telegraph Delivery: FTD. But I doubted this writer told nursing students how … Continue reading → ]]> Will readers know your shorthand? The first line of a writer’s Facebook post gave me pause: “I spoke to a class of nursing students via Zoom about our experiences with FTD.” I could only guess the meaning of those initials. Decades ago, broadcaster Arthur Godfrey had often advertised Florists’ Telegraph Delivery: FTD. But I doubted this writer told nursing students how to send flowers.

Source

Don’t divert readers from your message.

A month ago, the Pickles comic strip offered good wisdom for writers. “A big vocabulary,” one character said, “is like underwear. Everyone should have it. But they shouldn’t show it off.”

There’s good reason for this. Showing off — drawing attention to your writing — diverts readers’ attention from your content. That makes your writing less effective. If you’re writing … Continue reading → ]]> Don’t divert readers from your message. A month ago, the Pickles comic strip offered good wisdom for writers. “A big vocabulary,” one character said, “is like underwear. Everyone should have it. But they shouldn’t show it off.” There’s good reason for this. Showing off — drawing attention to your writing — diverts readers’ attention from your content. That makes your writing less effective.

Source

In their Facebook posts one week, several authors took issue with people they called grammar-shamers. They wanted to be judged by their online substance, not their delivery.

They missed the point.

If an error — of any kind — distracts a reader from your message, then you’ve failed to communicate clearly. Authors are judged by their written words. Once you put out your shingle as a … Continue reading → ]]> You’re judged by your spelling, punctuation, and grammar. In their Facebook posts one week, several authors took issue with people they called grammar-shamers. They wanted to be judged by their online substance, not their delivery. They missed the point. If an error — of any kind — distracts a reader from your message, then you’ve failed to communicate clearly. Authors are judged by their…

Source

Don’t tune out others’ critiques.

For decades, I attended writers conferences and reviewed people’s writing. Only once did I ever find a story without places I thought the writer could improve.

Fortunately, I offered these critiques in a teaching environment. In theory, people had come to learn how to make their writing better.

But human nature also played a part. What they hoped … Continue reading → ]]> Don’t tune out others’ critiques. For decades, I attended writers conferences and reviewed people’s writing. Only once did I ever find a story without places I thought the writer could improve. Fortunately, I offered these critiques in a teaching environment. In theory, people had come to learn how to make their writing better. But human nature also played a part. What they hoped to hear was…

Source

B

Some offers are too good to be true. But some only seem that way. Like this one I found Monday.

For novelists uncertain how to shape their story came free guidance from an author of nearly 200 books, 21 of them New York Times bestsellers, with sales of 71 million copies.

While Jerry B. Jenkins offers paid writing instruction, … Continue reading → ]]> Bestselling pros offer great advice. Some offers are too good to be true. But some only seem that way. Like this one I found Monday. For novelists uncertain how to shape their story came free guidance from an author of nearly 200 books, 21 of them New York Times bestsellers, with sales of 71 million copies. While Jerry B. Jenkins offers paid writing instruction, he also knows the value of…

Source

I needed to trim several inches from the end of an eight-foot board. My table saw was ready. But without a third hand, I couldn’t support the board to make the cut.

I could have tried to jury-rig some kind of … Continue reading → ]]> No one’s an expert at everything. This past Saturday, while working on a home improvement project, I faced a choice: I could risk injury—or I could ask my wife’s help. I needed to trim several inches from the end of an eight-foot board. My table saw was ready. But without a third hand, I couldn’t support the board to make the cut. I could have tried to jury-rig some kind of support.

Source

This past weekend, several unusual experiences came together for me. And that got me to thinking …

For someone who works with words, that can be a powerful combination.

A trustee of the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colorado, invited members of the local Model A Ford club to bring their cars for a weekend celebrating a steam locomotive’s return to service. In exchange, we’d be … Continue reading → ]]> Unleash the power of “What if …” This past weekend, several unusual experiences came together for me. And that got me to thinking … For someone who works with words, that can be a powerful combination. A trustee of the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colorado, invited members of the local Model A Ford club to bring their cars for a weekend celebrating a steam locomotive’s return to…

Source