Q. My writing sounds stiff and stilted. Help!
A. Memories of high school and college papers are probably getting in the way. We're often brought up to believe writing is a Big Deal. We can't, of course, write the way we speak. That would be too easy!
Some corporate departments perpetuate this myth. Many years ago, one group that hired a couple of writing consultants -- over zealous English majors with little business experience who enjoyed showing off their expertise. Experienced managers were thoroughly intimidated. They had bought into the myth, "Writing is for experts."
To relax, try these tips:
(a) Read your work aloud, preferably into a tape recorder. Do you find yourself stumbling over certain phrases? Do you have one collection of words and phrases for speaking and another for writing? As you listen to yourself, you'll become sensitized to your own voice.
(b) Show what you've written to a thirteen-year-old. If they can't understand what you're saying, start over! I often use this exercise when people try to describe their jobs, especially in a resume, to people who don't know their industry.
(c) Get in shape. If you haven't played basketball for a few years -- or ever -- you won't expect to compete on the court. Write every day, even if you begin with your own private journal. Don't edit. Go back after a few weeks to review what you write.
(d) Practice writing fast. Slow writing isn't necessarily better -- and may actually be worse.
(e) Add metaphors and stories to every article you write for your ezine or website. Here's a fun exercise: What did you do yesterday? Did you have an interesting encounter or conversation? Find a way to bring one episode from yesterday into today's article.
Just one caution. I once encouraged a client to "loosen up." She added some words that would make Tony Soprano blush, let alone her corporate clients!
I recommend being conservative, in speech and well as words, during any business relationship. I enjoy the Sopranos but I must admit I grit my teeth when I hear even the most moderate cuss words during a teleclass, talk or meeting. I know I'm not alone.
About The Author
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.
"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com
Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294
If you're a writer, you're in business. It doesn't matter... Read More
A frequent conversation I have with my writing clients is... Read More
We all need a cheer squad.We all need people to... Read More
You can create a great headline, a dynamic first sentence,... Read More
I do on occasion run out of ideas for my... Read More
How many times have you checked out a job board... Read More
Since the headline is the first contact your readers have... Read More
One of the most common weaknesses I see in day-to-day... Read More
The greatest gift you have to give to yourself and... Read More
Remember the days when we wrote with pen and paper?... Read More
There are three ways to write a first draft. One... Read More
Calling all publishers, editors, journalists and freelance writers. It's time... Read More
Your computer is a writing machine, a word processor, a... Read More
Typically when falling asleep in bed at night great thoughts... Read More
When you run an online agency for freelance writers, editors... Read More
The big question. Do you submit directly to the publishers,... Read More
Griselda spent hours polishing up her resume. No detail was... Read More
Think of writing like karate...it's about DISCIPLINE.Writing, like other forms... Read More
BAITED, BATEDBaited usually refers to traps or snares. When the... Read More
It is satisfying to be a part of such a... Read More
Technology vendors often contribute bylined articles to trade journals. The... Read More
When you write for international audiences, mainly directly in English,... Read More
1. Before you write anything down define not what you... Read More
(Skip directly to ten for the fastest shortcut!)Like any field,... Read More
You send me an e-mail. You tell me you've written... Read More
It would be very selfless or noble of me to... Read More
Working on my first humorous novel, I started with a... Read More
Ever wonder why we refer to convincing an editor a... Read More
For many authors just starting out, it can be a... Read More
Screenwriting is a competitive trade. To distinguish yourself as a... Read More
User documentation is all too often written by programmers for... Read More
First drafts are for getting down the ideas. Anna Jacobs... Read More
I've just come back to work after nine glorious, sun-drenched... Read More
Have you heard the term 'ghostwriter' and wondered what they... Read More
The first five pages of a novel are critical.Editors make... Read More
Writers are often are greatly surprised or disappointed by how... Read More
To help build your profile and reputation within a large... Read More
So, you want to freelance as an editor, writer, copy... Read More
How many times have you checked out a job board... Read More
Often, time is an enemy of writers. Sales seem slow... Read More
Q and A.Best choice when subject is very verbal or... Read More
There is an image most people carry of the artist... Read More
As one of those fabulous Baby Boomers, you now own... Read More
Today I took the dog for a walk and realized... Read More
If you're targeting an educated, more affluent audience with your... Read More
So you want to be a successful author? You want... Read More
It is satisfying to be a part of such a... Read More
To write books for readers at an elementary reading level... Read More
You can turn your $200 fee to write a press... Read More
'Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented... Read More
As a student of Spanish, my goal was to think... Read More
Agents and publishing houses have their best interests at heart,... Read More
1. Use Logic: Check for External PressuresAre you under physical... Read More
It's important to have a space set aside in your... Read More
What a wonderful resource the Internet is!Students find information to... Read More
Once you've plotted out your book, developed the characters and... Read More
Writers are notorious collectors of slips of paper. They tear... Read More
There is no specific formula for children's fiction. There are,... Read More
How many of you take the time to really write... Read More
According to one of my previous articles, whenever a Southerner... Read More
The works you've written are numerous, ranging from short stories... Read More
Business etiquette is fundamentally concerned with building relationships founded upon... Read More
Every hero has a seminal insight - the apotheosis. Once... Read More
A certified proofreader is one that has taken a few... Read More
Hundreds of writing contests tempt screenwriters with the lure of... Read More
What's the best way to plot?Quick answer: the best way... Read More
Writing |