Find Your Sweet Spot

Golfers desperately seek the "sweet spot" to hit the ball for maximum accuracy. Writer's also have a "sweet spot" that takes their work to a higher, more profitable level. Here's how to find it by giving the Write Twist to golf instructions.

Mr Checkers & Cielo

Golfers mark the "sweet spot" on their drivers as the best place to hit the ball. For writer's that means creating a thesis statement as the "sweet spot" that best describes the focus of the written project. When your words hit that mark and expand on that theme, then the entire work delivers what it is intended to deliver. Miss the "sweet spot" and the words wander like a poorly hit golf ball meandering down the fairway.

Your "sweet spot" may also be the place where you write. Where are you inspired? Library - bookstore cafe - beach - busy downtown park. Your inspirational place may change depending on the type of writing you are doing at the moment.  For Mr Checkers and Cielo, our rescued parakeets, their "sweet spot" is definitely playing in the window of my office as I write.

5 Rules for Writing the Right Way

As my Mother said, "if you bother to do anything, do it right."  For a writer, the right way is the only way. So what's not "right"  in writing, let me count the ways:

1.        Subject-Verb agreement: From student papers to newspapers, too many subjects and verbs have never been properly introduced much less agree. This language pollution is sadly becoming accepted.

2.     Allowing spell checker to run the show: Spell check is a technician, not a writer. It does not know the difference between "there" and "their". Enough words in English present confusion for the Write Mind, so imagine how poor Spell Check is spinning when faced with "pare", "pair" or "pear". A writer is heading for a dangerous misunderstanding by hitting "ok" at any Spell Check hint without considering how that spelling might change the meaning of the sentence.

3.       OUTLINE - OUTLINE- OUTLINE. An outline is to writing what location is to real estate. Free form is fine for starving poets but won't earn a paycheck for freelance commercial writers or university instructors. Banish memories of the 6th grade English teacher who made outlining seem like a punishment. She (or he) was right to insist on mastering this craft. Start with an outline and follow it.

4.       Essential Grammar rule: when in doubt, check it out.  Whether comma-impaired or semi-colon challenged, look in a basic grammar book. The grammar check function on some word processing programs is limited at best. If all else fails, re-write the troublesome sentence (or divide it) in a way that does an end- run around your grammar pitfall.

5.      Have a point and get there promptly.  If rule # 3 is followed, this becomes easier. However, stop at the end of any writing project (or at least each section of a longer work) and attempt to give a "news headline" report of what was written. When you can't summarize your own work (and you know what you are writing), do not expect a reader   to get it either.

These  5 beginning steps can lead any writer, even a novice, in the right way to write anything, in any genre, for any purpose.

Par's Not So Excellent Adventure

Special story from a guest blogger. A dozen years later this still tugs at our hearts.

December 15, Friday afternoon, I heard Dad’s car come into the garage. Robin and Kelly are home from school!  I was excited to see them, so excited that I slipped through an opening in Mom’s office door and flew toward them. At least that’s what I wanted to do. Then this gust of wind caught me and I was soaring over the neighbor’s house. 

Mom was running after me, calling my name.  I’m coming back, Mom.   I’m just checking out those birds I hear from the window. There they are, they want me to fly with them. They flew so high and so fast that I could barely keep up. Next thing I knew, I was up a big tree too tired to peep. I heard Mom crying loud. It’s ok, Mom, I’ll be back in a few minutes. But it didn’t work that way. Mom, Dad, Robin and Kelly looked up, but they didn’t see me way high in the oak tree two streets over. They all left crying then it got very dark.

            The birds I thought wanted to hang with me left me. The wind that felt fun to glide on started to slap me in the face. I held on tight to a branch. I got cold and hungry and scared. I’ve never been out at night before. This isn’t any fun.  I hope I can find my way home.

            The next morning I flew around. Other birds went to the ground and bathed in puddles of water. I hate having my feet dirty. When I shower, Mom sprays me with mist then puts me under the blow dryer so I stay warm. I’m hungry and thirsty. The wind is still blowing but maybe I can find home if I keep trying.

            About noon on Saturday, I landed in a 20 foot pine tree, two houses from home. I heard Mom and Kelly outside. I peeped as loud as I could. They heard me!  Mom and Kelly came over to talk me down. Finally I tried to fly to Mom. A wind gust pushed me into a glass window and I dropped to the ground. Mom was climbing behind the bush to get me but I heard other noises and I got scared. I flew up and caught another wind.  Mom, Kelly and Robin followed me across the street to the big tree. I was even higher, maybe 35 feet this time. Another wind got me and I couldn’t turn. I landed in a tree on the next street. Mom, Kelly and Robin called my name. I was so exhausted, I couldn’t answer. They left crying again.

            I waited for more wind and got closer. Night was coming again. Oh, I hate night out in a tree. Then I heard Mom call my name. Yes! She hears me.  She and Kelly ran into the yard and then I heard our next door neighbors come out. I must be close to home. I hear their birds inside their Florida room. This time Mom says I’m not as high, but it’s high to me. The wind is getting stronger and I’m so tired.  Dad brought a ladder and Robin brought my food. Mom climbed up, but she couldn’t reach me. I’m hanging on a tiny branch so hard that my feet ache. Leaves are blowing in my face. Then Jim got his 20-foot ladder. I heard Dad say that this was the last chance to get me before nightfall and a cold front was approaching. They leaned the ladder against the tree and Kelly climbed up. I was so happy to see a familiar face. Kelly talked to me and held out the food. Every time I tried to climb over toward her, the bad wind howled and I was afraid to let go. Dad held the ladder tight. Mom and Robin prayed hard. Finally Kelly reached out and grabbed me tight. She held me to her chest and climbed down the ladder with one hand.  We all ran into the house to safety.        

            When Kelly opened her hands, I saw my Mom. She took me in her warm hands and kissed me and held me until my heart stopped crashing in my chest. Suddenly it was warm inside. I drank water and ate and ate. Star, our parrot, shouted happily when she saw me.  Mostly, I held onto Mom. Before I went to bed in my house, my family prayed to thank God for the miracle of bringing me home. I heard my family talk about God, and now I know Him too. I don’t even know what a sparrow looks like, but I know He watched me.  My Mom’s friend, Phyllis, heard my story and said it was already recorded in the Bible, Deuteronomy 7:19 “You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the Lord your God brought you out.”

            I’m so happy to be home with Mom, Dad, Kelly and Robin. They are right. I’m not in touch with my inner-birdness and I do much better inside as a princess than outside lost, cold and hungry.  Thank you, God, for watching over me.              Love, Par Erwin

Use of Color for Writer's Site - Purple

Purple heralds "royal", the color of kings and a symbol of authority. Today deep purple is strongly linked with luxury, so use it selectively to attract a discriminating viewer. Purple also has a spiritual, ethereal side. Life coaches, image builders and wealth-generation projects can use purple with silver or blue accents to create a "sky is the limit" impression.

  Lighter shades of purple are more attractive to women, particularly adolescent girls (think Hannah Montana crowd in purple and pink).  Males respond more to the deeper, royal shades of purple.

  In nature, purple is not a dominant color. It's usually associated with violets or eggplant. Take a cue from violets and paid purple with medium green for a eco-friendly image.

Be careful with the tone quality of purple. Darker tones can appear blue or black on web sites. Test your colors as they will appear to viewers of your site.

Use of Color for Writer's Site - Blue

From true blue to singing the blues, blue hits a variety of emotional notes with readers. Career coaches affirm to value of wearing blue to communicate "trustworthy" and "confident".  Aqua blue calls to mind tropical ocean scene or clear summer sky. Royal blue is, well, royal and commanding. Notice that future princess Kate Middleton wore a royal blue dress for media interviews of the engagement. That was no accident.

Blue is well received by men and women as a calming color.  In using blue for your writer's site, be careful about the color saturation. Pale blue is hard to read against a light background and looks faded against a dark background. Rich or saturated blue is good for headlines or feature items, but too much for large block of copy. Blue-green tones are best as a feature color. If you want to pair green and blue, make certain that the blues are “true blue” without green undertones for adequate color separation.

Use of Color for Writer's Site - Green

Green has a new image as organic, natural and eco-friendly. Renewed interest in the environment gives green a fresh appeal. Green is synonymous with nature and harmony in apple or spring green shades. Go darker shade of green to represent money and greed. Evergreen or darker holiday wreath green shows stamina. Which shade of green reflects your writing projects?

If you write on finance, business, venture capital, investments or small business development, draw in your viewer with rich (no pun intended) green. Rather than the stock drawing of dollar bills, use green bold highlighted words in the call to action or "contact me" button to get more information.

For unisex appeal, green is the easiest color to perceive by male and female viewers.  Green has a long association with fertility, freshness and vitality  - - a his and hers color choice.

Use of Color for Writer's Site - Red

Every color in the rainbow holds a general and a personal meaning. Vivid color descriptions evoke a reader's emotions so consider the overall impressions that color brings to your writer's web site. Red makes you look in a brash, don't mess with me, way.  Too much red and your eye wanders searching for the most important words.  When you use red print as a call to action on your site, make it the headline, not the full paragraph. If you overuse red, the effect goes from excitement and passion to irritation and frustration. It's too much like mark-ups on a failing history paper.

            Red has an edgy side. Graphics with red can be imposing or demanding. Red can also be perceived as confident, not a color for the timid. You can draw in the eye with gradients of red, ending in an almost pink-red if you want to lead the viewer to a youthful impression. Beware of too much emphasis. A little red goes far in making an impact, so use it discretely. For action, passion, impulsiveness or tenderness, go Red.  

Writing Advice from the Trenches Part 3

            “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” Thomas Jefferson   There’s a guy who practiced what he preached. Think about the Declaration of Independence.  Jefferson, the principal author, succinctly summarized our unalienable rights as “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” then went on to paint word pictures of King George’s disreputable actions in such concise sentences as, “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns and destroyed the lives of our people.” Attention new writers: find an encyclopedia and read the entire Declaration of Independence. Look closely at Jefferson’s precision, eloquence and passion. Just as young musicians play louder rather than better, inexperienced writers write more words with less purpose.  Words are powerful. Use their power like laser beams instead of shot gun blasts.       

            And finally, from Richard Bach. . . “a professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”   Enough said, write on!

Writing Advice from the Trenches Part 2

“I write to teach myself what I already know”. Duane Alan Hahn  Faster than a speeding search engine, more powerful than a Ph.D. . . .look up on the screen, it’s an idea, it’s a feeling, it’s real life.” That’s right. When it comes to digging deep into the wellspring of life experiences from which good writing emerges, it is all about you. The things you hear, see, feel, touch, smell and taste offer magnificent material for writing anything from personal essays to poetry and short stories to novels. Research yourself. For a month, make a list of memories that come to mind or stories that you enjoy telling family and friends. Choose two or three that are particularly vivid. What is in those memories that represents “teachable moments” for you and a potential reader?  Draw the reader into your world, demonstrate the lesson, then gently return the reader to the present.

            “I love being a writer. What I can’t stand is the paperwork”. Peter De Vries

Successful writers are also good business managers. They learn early about the importance of researching markets, acquiring guidelines, checking for comparable works, keeping interview notes, organizing queries, tracking submissions and recording payments. This is the “paperwork” of the writing business. Writers who master these tasks with simple, orderly systems maximize their income. An expensive software program is not necessary. All that’s needed is a ledger page or tabbed index cards. Set aside one day a week to update the organizational paperwork that sustains a productive writer.

Writing Advice from the Trenches Part 1

John Steinbeck was feeling the wrath when he lamented, “No one wants advice, only corroboration.” As every writer knows, all we really need is a great idea, an uninterrupted week, a flawless grammar checker, a monster contract with a huge advance and plenty of  media interviews after the book is published. In the meantime, would you settle for a little good advice from others who have “made it”.

                        “I think I did pretty well, considering I started out with nothing but a bunch of blank paper.”  Steve Martin.   That’s funny, Steve, because it’s universal.       All writers start with a blank paper on which to pour out words. Even those computer programs promising pre-fab plot pointers are useless if the idea never gels in the writer’s brain and bursts from a heart full of excitement.

            “Writing is a combination of ditch-digging, mountain-climbing, treadmill running and childbirth. Writing may be absorbing, exhilarating, racking and relieving. But amusing? Never.”  Edna Ferber    Writing is the most exasperating job you’ll ever love. Yes, Edna, it’s plot labor. Once the work is published and the check arrives, writers easily diminish the time spent conceiving the idea, carrying the concept to delivery and surviving those cruel cuts (edits) to bring forth the finished product. Working writers work at their craft daily. Some days are a drudge. Some days are a delight. A combination of those days is how writing is refined into some thing worth reading.

          

        

Know your audience

One-size-fits-all rarely works with socks so why do you think it works for writing? Prehaps your headlines grab the wrong audience. As Tyra Banks says; "pose one way for men's magazines and another way for women's magazines." Psychotactics gives this the "write twist".

Sean's articles are among my favorites because he gives practical examples to illustrate his points. Even if you are not writing web site or marketing content, these ideas about targeting your audience are useful for many types of writing. He shows that if you want attraction, write for then Cosmo reader. If you want conversion, write for New Yorker's reader. Apply this to a novel or short story by considering whether you are writing to capture attention, shock value or excitement (Cosmo) v. writing to inform, persuade or rally (New Yorker).

Here's a simple exercise: take one idea and write a headline with first paragraph for the Cosmo reader than give it the write twist for the New Yorker reader. Notice the differences. Which approach best serves your theme? Consider taking the unexpected approach to liven up your story and keep your reader curiously turning pages.