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I write about communication, leadership and change, drawing on a 30-year career in journalism, public relations and management.
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Tag Archives: Writing
Can’t think of a good lead? Try writing a story
Remember those boring expository writing assignments in high school? Everything had to fit neatly into a three-step formula: 1) an introductory paragraph with a thesis, 2) supporting paragraphs and 3) a conclusion that summarized your ideas. Those kinds of essays are … Continue reading
Posted in Communications
Tagged expository writing, feature, inverted pyramid, news, storytelling, Writing
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Is fear holding you back? Consider these three lessons
Napoleon Hill once said that fear is the single greatest obstacle to success. Yet, even with success, fear does not go away. Instead, it burrows into your subconscious in more subtle and insidious ways. You get comfortable, and you hardly notice … Continue reading
Posted in Careers, Leadership
Tagged fear, journalism, Max Lucado, mission trip, Napoleon Hill, perfection, Robert Frost, Writing
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Tips for making your writing plain, clear and scrupulous
The same year Congress passed Obamacare, another monumental piece of legislation made its way to the president’s desk: The Plain Writing Act of 2010. Okay, Okay, there were no floor fights over The Plain Writing Act, no demagoguing or name-calling, no … Continue reading
Posted in Communications
Tagged E.B. White, George Orwell, Paul Diederich, Plain Writing Act of 2010, style, Writing
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Strunk & White’s little book on style still packs a punch
It’s been 95 years since William Strunk Jr.’s guide to style was first published by Harcourt. In the years prior to its publication, Professor Strunk circulated his “little book” to English students at Cornell University, one of whom was a budding … Continue reading
Posted in Communications
Tagged E.B. White, grammar, style, The Elements of Style, usage, William Strunk Jr., Writing
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Old dogs and new tricks: One generation sharpens another
Last week, Shira Harrington of Purposeful Hire spoke about generational differences at an IPRA luncheon. Listening to her talk, I was transported back to the early days in my career when beat-up old reporters ran PR shops and the typewriter was the … Continue reading
Posted in Careers, Marketing, Technology
Tagged Generation Z, Generations, IPRA, Millennials, selfie, Shira Harrington, Social media, typewriters, Writing
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The blogs that got away…
This month marks the third anniversary of The Wayward Journey. It seems like a good time to take stock of how far I’ve come on the Journey, but I think I’ll leave some of that reminiscing for another day. Instead, … Continue reading
Green socks, Hess trucks and the cocoon room
Over the past week I’ve been collecting nuggets of wisdom to impart to you, dear reader—veritable gems, I tell you. Actually, I’ve discovered that it’s far easier to string together three little stories than to write a regular blog post. … Continue reading
A blogger’s lament: ‘You were always on my mind’
I’m not a huge fan of country music, but I do like Willie Nelson. Maybe it’s because Willie has recorded so many great songs in a style that doesn’t strike me as excessively country. In particular, I like his version … Continue reading
Posted in Communications
Tagged Always on My Mind, Blogging, country music, customer service, Pocket, readers, Willie Nelson, Writing
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The Wayward Journey 