Blog

In a way, we’re all bad writers.

Even Nobel-prize winning authors write crappy first drafts.

So, the route to better writing is to become a better editor—to learn how to turn a rough draft into shiny content. Read more »

I’m not who you think I am. When you look at my blog, it’s easy to think that writing comes easily to me, that I’ve always been a writer.

But that’s not true. I’ve never thought of myself as a writer. At school, I wasn’t good at writing essays.

So, how did I become a writer? Read more »

Do you ever come across a text and think … Wow!

And then, do you wonder … Why is this writing so good?

It happened to me recently. Read more »

A strong voice helps us stand out in a sea of same-same writing, and it helps us bond with our readers, enticing them to come back to “hear” our voice again.

But how do you find your voice?​ Read more »

Henry sighs.

He’s reading back a draft blog post. And he’s finding it hard to understand what’s wrong. Why does his writing seem to drag on? Why does it feel so impersonal?

Polishing your writing style can feel tricky. Here’s how to start …
Read more »

“I love, love, LOVE David Ogilvy,” D. said to me. “You know that Rolls-Royce ad?”

“Yeah,” I mumbled.

“An analysis by you would be soooo good,” said D. “I’d love to understand what makes his writing so persuasive.” Pretty, please? Read more »

Do you ever find yourself struggling to understand a text?

After reading a text a few times, you may find yourself scratching your head. Your brain is hurting. What is the author trying to communicate??!!??Read more »

What are the hallmarks of a good sentence?

When I come across a good sentence, I highlight it. I’ve done this for years but I don’t always look back at what I’ve highlighted.

So, I wondered … What would I discover if I traveled through my highlighted sentences? Read more »

Let me ask you a question …

Which of your school teachers do you remember?

I imagine your favorite teachers were full of passion for their field. Their enthusiasm made their teaching sparkle, and it made you curious to learn more.

As bloggers, we’re teachers, too, and our enthusiasm breathes life into our writing, making our readers come back for more.
Read more »

What makes you a better writer?

You may have heard the advice to read more and to write more. And that’s, of course, good advice. But there’s more …

To be a good writer, you also have to practice the art of noticing. Here’s how …Read more »