Editor and Ghostwriter
By Linda Dessau
This week, in the fifth and final class of our From Ideas to Income series, Sandra De Freitas and I will be addressing this common concern, "I don't want bad writing to ruin my reputation. "
If you're worried that your writing may not be up to par, call in for a refreshing reality check about mistakes. I'll also share a readability checklist and the 5 most common writing errors to avoid.
Join us this Friday, October 26 from 10-11 am Eastern, Toronto/NY time (what time is that where you live?).
By Linda Dessau
As I get ready to teach this week’s From Ideas to Income tele-class, “I don’t know how to start,” I’m now considering the question – are writing structures our friend or our foe?
The answer? Quite simply, both!
On a call with a client this week, we came up with a simple test for when to use or stay away from a writing structure (such as a Top 10 list), and here it is:
If you’re bubbling over with ideas, then step away from the structure. Get your ideas out of your head and down on paper – with a pen or a keyboard, in words or pictures, into a voice recorder or to a “scribe” or ghostwriter – however feels best for you in that moment.
In this phase of the creative flow, structure is not your friend. It can stunt your creativity and force you into a box before you’ve gotten all of your ideas out.
However, when you’re facing those piles of ideas and it’s time to shape them, OR if you’re facing a blank page, writers block, procrastination, or a deadline, embrace the structure.
At this point you can rely on structure to call ideas out of you, to fill in any holes, to keep you motivated and to give you a template to work with, so that you can get it done!
By Linda Dessau
In the recent You Talk, I'll Write survey, 53.3% of respondants cited, "I'm too busy to write" as their biggest writing challenge. And at a close second, at 42.2%, was the response, "I don't have the discipline to write."
That's why Sandra De Freitas and I have included today's important topic, #4 in the From Ideas to Income series, "I don't know how to start."
But we're not stopping with how to start, we'll also get into systems, tips and tools for keeping up a writing schedule on an ongoing basis. Sandra already gave me a preview of some of her favourite techniques on call #1, and I can't wait to hear what else she has up her sleeve.
Join us for class #4 this Friday, October 19 from 10-11 am Eastern, Toronto/NY time (what time is that where you live?).
By Linda Dessau
Well, if the Idea Generator blog isn't giving you enough ideas about what to write about, call in to class #3 of the From Ideas to Income series, this Friday, October 12 from 10-11 am Eastern, Toronto/NY time (what time is that where you live?).
Sandra De Freitas and I will be discussing how to overcome your writer's block, generate ideas, and write what your niche wants to read! This one's going to be jam-packed and full of content. How will we fit it all in?? Well, that's my challenge to worry about – you just show up!
By Linda Dessau
I shared in an earlier post about some research that Jerry Stevenson cited in a presentation about business blogging. A global study found that "a person like me" has become the most credible source of information.
That reminded me of some other research I'd come across recently about credibility.
Stanford University's Persuasive Technology Lab came up with these guidelines for web credibility, essentially a Top 10 list (I LOVE IT!) of ways to improve your credibility via your website.
Quick Writing Prompt: Measure your own web site against Stanford's Top 10 list. How did you do? What change will you start working on first?