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Writing Blunders: What Have They Cost You?

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by Barbara McNichol

Writing Blunders

Writing Blunders

It only takes a moment to make a blunder in writing that sets in  motion near-disastrous results. Sure, writing “best retards” instead of “best regards” can be embarrassing but some writing blunders can truly hurt.

What catastrophic examples can you cite about communications gone awry? What consequences followed?

Please share your writing blunders here. The person who submits the Biggest Blunder example earns a printed copy of my Word Trippers book. See www.WordTrippers.com

 

 

What Pickleball and Business Writing Have in Common

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Playing pickleball

Playing pickleball

by Barbara McNichol

A group of over-50s in my neighborhood are learning to love playing pickleball on our brand new pickleball courts. Players with a mixed bag of talent show up—from non-athletic newbies to proven tournament champs.

One of those tourney players recently told me that, to comply with the rules, I needed to change my serve. Not only that, she shared strategy tips I’d not heard before. Playing with her as a partner gave me the chance to practice those tips—both when she reminded me and when she didn’t.

Feeling a little scrambled, I came away thinking, “How many new techniques can I apply at once?”

Back at my computer, I can better empathize with writers as they struggle to apply a number of new techniques that will improve their writing game. Practicing my pickleball serve again and again can be like rewriting paragraphs repeatedly until they work!

That’s Why We Attend Workshops

Applying writing tips in a WordShop session provides an optimal opportunity for new habits to “stick.” That’s why I invite you to participate in an upcoming Business Writing Skills WordShop in Tucson, Arizona, sponsored by Association of Talent Development (formerly ASTD).

It’s Tuesday morning April 21, 2015, at Viscount Suites in Tucson—breakfast included. Full details here.

Just as practicing my new serve is worth my while, I encourage you to invest time learning and applying new writing techniques. I guarantee you’ll gain a lot in this interactive session—and you’ll know what to practice going forward.

Did I say it will be fun? With breakfast, too! Sign up today!

How do you learn new techniques best, whether it’s on the pickleball court or at your writing desk?

What to Look for When Revising Your Own Writing: Part 3

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by Barbara McNichol

You’ve heard the expression “Author, edit thyself.” But exactly how does that apply in your everyday writing practice?

Revising Your Writing

Revising Your Writing

In this “Edit Thyself” series, you can take to heart practical tips that will help you clarify your writing immediately. Here are the tips in Part 3:

  • Rarely use “I think” and “I believe” in your writing. Every article or book has your name on it. People can assume what you write is what you think and believe. If you must include either phrase for emphasis, do so sparingly.
  • Find opportunities to use the verb form of a word rather the noun form. “Do you struggle?” is better than “Do you have struggles?” Especially look for “ion” and “ment” nouns. Transpose them into verbs and make your sentences more active. “The detective deals with the examination of the evidence.” Better: “The detective examines the evidence.”
  • Put your thoughts in present tense; it’s more powerful than future tense. “This book shows you how” is more direct and stronger than “This book will show you how.” When you have the choice within the context of your piece, pick present tense.

Review of Parts 1 and 2:

  • Don’t mix “we” and “you” in the same paragraph or you risk confusing readers.
  • Eliminate the words “you must” and “you should” as often as possible.
  • Get rid of wobbly (not meaningful) words: very, some, much, really.
  • In text, use “and so on” instead of “etc.” (It’s okay to use “etc.” in a list).
  • Consider using contractions such as “can’t” and “don’t” instead of “cannot” and “do not.” It speeds up the reading.
  • Write for the ear. Read what you’ve written out loud to make sure it sounds right and contains no unintentionally repeated words.
  • “Ask myself” and “think to myself” are redundant; consider using only the verb “ask” or “think.”
  • Vary your sentence length; use no more than 21 words in a sentence as a rule.
  • In text, spell out the name of a state or province; don’t use abbreviations. E.g., CO should be Colorado; SK should be Saskatchewan. (Exception: DC for District of Columbia)

Remember, no one’s wording is sacred—even yours! Self-edit with a sharp pencil (or blazing keyboard) to strengthen your message.

As you practice these points, please share your experiences here. Which ones work best for you? What tips would you like to add?

Revising Your Own Writing: Part 2

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by Barbara McNichol

This follows an earlier blog post, Revising Your Own Writing: Part 1, with hints for revising your own writing and strengthening it in the process.

Have you been practicing the tips from Part 1?

Let me know your experience as you apply these ideas to your own masterpieces.

revise your writing

Sharpen your pen

  • Write for the ear; always read what you’ve written out loud to make sure it sounds right. You’ll catch unintended repeated words more easily, too.
  • “Ask myself” and “think to myself” are redundant. Consider using only the verb “ask” or “think.” In many cases, the “myself” part is unnecessary.
  • Avoid long-winded sentences. I recommend no more than 21 words in a sentence; any longer and the meaning may be hard for readers to follow.
  • Vary the length of your sentences. Variation keeps readers alert and adds spice to your writing. There’s strength (and punch) in brevity.
  • In running text, spell out the name of a state or province. E.g., CO should be Colorado; SK should be Saskatchewan. For abbreviations of geographic places, periods are generally the accepted style. E.g., U.S. instead of US; D.C. for District of Columbia.

Revising Your Own Writing: Part 1

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Revising Your Writing

Revising Your Writing

by Barbara McNichol

“Author, edit thyself.” No, Socrates didn’t say this but if he lived today, he’d likely give you that advice.

Okay, that’s easy to say, but what exactly does “edit thyself” mean in practical terms?

To answer that question, I’m sharing a series of tips I urge nonfiction authors to adapt. Part 1 features five tips.

This requires changing a few embedded habits, I know. Now is the time to start. Then you’ll have the first five “aced” by the time you receive Part 2.

  • Don’t mix “we” and “you” in same paragraph. Unexpected changes in points of view can confuse readers. If you must make the switch, start a new paragraph.
  • Eliminate the words “you must” and “you should” as often as possible. They not only sound harsh, but they come across as bossy—not the tone you want.
  • Get rid of wobbly words such as very, some, much, really. Truly, they don’t add meaning and the clutter they contribute takes away from the clarity you desire.
  • In running copy, use “and so on” instead of “etc.” (It’s okay to use “etc.” in a list). This keeps the feeling of a continuing conversation instead of the abruptness of a list.
  • Use contractions such as “can’t” and “don’t” instead of “cannot” and “do not.” Certainly do so in dialogue; that’s how people speak. But in nonfiction copy, using contractions speeds up the reading and, in most contexts, is preferred over spelling out these words.
What tips do you find particularly helpful in your writing? Share them here.

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