good words (right order) March 2nd, 2010
GW(RO) March 2nd
Jun 19, 2015
The presentation that accompanied Patrick E. McLean's unique and entertaining professional writing class good words (right order) on March 2nd.
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good words (right order)March 2nd, 2010
THE PROBLEM
When workloads increase to a level requiring hours in excess of an employee's regular duty assignment, and when such work is estimated to require a full shift of eight (8) hours or more on two (2) or more consecutive days, even though unscheduled days intervene, an employee's tour of duty shall be altered so as to include the hours when such work must be done, unless an adverse impact would result from such employee's absence from his previously scheduled assignment.
THIS IS A REAL EMAILFROM A REAL HR DEPARTMENTTO REAL OFFICES, NATIONWIDE.
When workloads increase to a level requiring hours in excess of an employee's regular duty assignment, and when such work is estimated to require a full shift of eight (8) hours or more on two (2) or more consecutive days, even though unscheduled days intervene, an employee's tour of duty shall be altered so as to include the hours when such work must be done, unless an adverse impact would result from such employee's absence from his previously scheduled assignment.
When workloads increase to a level requiring hours in excess of an employee's regular duty assignment, and when such work is estimated to require a full shift of eight (8) hours or more on two (2) or more consecutive days, even though unscheduled days intervene, an employee's tour of duty shall be altered so as to include the hours when such work must be done, unless an adverse impact would result from such employee's absence from his previously scheduled assignment.
WHAT HAPPENS?
1 email to 10 offices8 people call (10m each)2 people misapply the policy (2h)
When workloads increase to a level requiring hours in excess of an employee's regular duty assignment, and when such work is estimated to require a full shift of eight (8) hours or more on two (2) or more consecutive days, even though unscheduled days intervene, an employee's tour of duty shall be altered so as to include the hours when such work must be done, unless an adverse impact would result from such employee's absence from his previously scheduled assignment.
TOTAL COST
80m (people who called)80m (HR person)4h (people who misapplied)4h (HR person)2h (HR person’s boss)
16h 40m
When workloads increase to a level requiring hours in excess of an employee's regular duty assignment, and when such work is estimated to require a full shift of eight (8) hours or more on two (2) or more consecutive days, even though unscheduled days intervene, an employee's tour of duty shall be altered so as to include the hours when such work must be done, unless an adverse impact would result from such employee's absence from his previously scheduled assignment.
TOTAL COST
80m (people who called)80m (HR person)4h (people who misapplied)4h (HR person)2h (HR person’s boss)
16h 40m x $35/h = $513.34 in labor
When workloads increase to a level requiring hours in excess of an employee's regular duty assignment, and when such work is estimated to require a full shift of eight (8) hours or more on two (2) or more consecutive days, even though unscheduled days intervene, an employee's tour of duty shall be altered so as to include the hours when such work must be done, unless an adverse impact would result from such employee's absence from his previously scheduled assignment.
TOTAL COST
80m (people who called)80m (HR person)4h (people who misapplied)4h (HR person)2h (HR person’s boss)
16h 40m x $35/h = $513.34 in labor
When workloads increase to a level requiring hours in excess of an employee's regular duty assignment, and when such work is estimated to require a full shift of eight (8) hours or more on two (2) or more consecutive days, even though unscheduled days intervene, an employee's tour of duty shall be altered so as to include the hours when such work must be done, unless an adverse impact would result from such employee's absence from his previously scheduled assignment.
TOTAL COST
80 minutes (people who called)80 minutes (HR person)4 hours (people who misapplied)4 hours (HR person)2 hours (HR person’s boss)
16h40m x $35/h = $513.34 in labor
The Opportunity
Writing has never been more powerful.
Or so easy to transmit.
Or so easy to transmit.
Want a blog?
Send an email.
All of this has happened since
2000.
Internet hosts by year.
danger
opportunity
“When a man's knowledge is not in order, the more of it he has the
greater will be his confusion.” -- Herbert Spencer
QUESTION 1:
How and why did writing develop?
There once was man from Nantucket,
Writing gives you the power to preserve words through time and transmit them across distance.
Tiger: Hey Sexy I can't come out this week. Something came up family wise (July 20, 3:04 p.m.)
Jaimee: That's okay I hope everything is fine ... would have liked to see you
Tiger: We will make it happen
Jaimee: I drove out for the night to surprise a friend with a present for there birthday (July 26, 11: 22 p.m.)
Tiger: what kind of present your naked body
Jaimee: haha no a watch I slept alone
Tiger: alone with him that is
Jaimee: haha I wish
Jaimee: miss u (Sept. 27, 6:38 p.m.)
Tiger: now that's hot so who is your new boy toy
Jaimee: no new boy toy ... still running dry... been on 2 real dates in the pat 2 months :(
Tiger: I need you
Jaimee: then get your tight ass over here and visit me! I need u
Tiger: I will wear you out soon
Jaimee: how soon? I got a new piercing
Tiger: really. Where
Jaimee: I just sent u a pic of it ... is on my cheek below my eye ... implanted a little diamond
Tiger: send it again. I didn't pick up on that
Tiger: you just need some attention from me
Tiger: do you have a boy friend (8:45 p.m.)
Jaimee: I don't even have someone I am dating ... no ... u can be my boyfriend ;)
Tiger: then I am
Jaimee: I wish
Tiger: quiet and secretively we will always be together
Tiger: when was the last time you got laid
Jaimee: if we hang out on a Sundway we can watch desperate houswives again haha (Sept. 30, 3:38 p.m.)
Tiger: oh god
Jaimee: take a break from watching boring old golf
Jaimee: I mean the amazing sport of golf ;)
Jaimee: [more than an hour later] babe I was kidding
Tiger: I know sexy
Jaimee: is it orange county time yet? (Oct. 1, 6:06 p.m.)
Tiger: oh stop :)
Jaimee: hahaha I know ... but you canceled on me last time so the anticipation is killing me ... im finding myself watching sports center ... haha j/k it isn't that bad
Tiger: its never been that bad
Jaimee: very true ... I only watch football
Tiger: Figured you would say that. Big black guys.
Jaimee: u are my first, last and only black guy! U should feel special
Tiger: why do I not believe that?
Tiger: [later, in response to Jaimee's mention of a date who was "full of himself"] you kinda like that for some reason which is weird why you decided on me.
Tiger: having an asian mother and a military father you cannot and will not ever be full of yourself
Jaimee: I have fun with u, you always make me smile and I am not afraid to be myself or say anything to u ... the day I met u I thought u were going to kick me out a few times but for someone reason you didn't and u have told me numerous times I talk to much but slowly as I get to know u iI think your absolutely amazing
Tiger: you are wrong I'm bone thugs in harmon
Jaimee: Something wrong babe?I was excited to sepnd time with u this week (Oct. 15, 6:40 p.m.)
Tiger: I will you Sunda night. Its the only night in which I am totally free but I have to leave at 530 Monday morning to drive up to the valley for an outing for one of my sponsors. See you at 8 pm on Sunday in newport
Tiger: don't text me back till tomorrow morning. I have to many people around me right now
Tiger: send me something very naughty (Oct. 18, 3:40 p.m.)
Jaimee: some things are worth waiting for lol ... besides im at work
Tiger: go to the bathroom and take it
Jaimee: haha ur too much
Jaimee: are u leaving me cause your wife is still in newport :( I am lonely now ... i like falling asleep in your arms (Oct. 18, 11:38 p.m.)
Tiger: sorry baby I just can't sleep. Its just a problem I have.
Tiger: she is not here. They left this morning
Jaimee: well I appreciate you not wanting to wake me up but if y couldn't sleep I would have rather sat up and talked to u more ... find out why I keep falling more and more for u ;)
Tiger: Because I'm blasian :)
Tiger: I'm sorry babe. Im already home.
Jaimee: I'm putting my underwear back on ... thats a no no ... come take them off
Tiger: :) you are too funny
Tiger: Hey Sexy I can't come out this week. Something came up family wise (July 20, 3:04 p.m.)
Jaimee: That's okay I hope everything is fine ... would have liked to see you
Tiger: We will make it happen
Jaimee: I drove out for the night to surprise a friend with a present for there birthday (July 26, 11: 22 p.m.)
Tiger: what kind of present your naked body
Jaimee: haha no a watch I slept alone
Tiger: alone with him that is
Jaimee: haha I wish
Jaimee: miss u (Sept. 27, 6:38 p.m.)
Tiger: now that's hot so who is your new boy toy
Jaimee: no new boy toy ... still running dry... been on 2 real dates in the pat 2 months :(
Tiger: I need you
Jaimee: then get your tight ass over here and visit me! I need u
Tiger: I will wear you out soon
Jaimee: how soon? I got a new piercing
Tiger: really. Where
Jaimee: I just sent u a pic of it ... is on my cheek below my eye ... implanted a little diamond
Tiger: send it again. I didn't pick up on that
Tiger: you just need some attention from me
Tiger: do you have a boy friend (8:45 p.m.)
Jaimee: I don't even have someone I am dating ... no ... u can be my boyfriend ;)
Tiger: then I am
Jaimee: I wish
Tiger: quiet and secretively we will always be together
Tiger: when was the last time you got laid
Jaimee: if we hang out on a Sundway we can watch desperate houswives again haha (Sept. 30, 3:38 p.m.)
Tiger: oh god
Jaimee: take a break from watching boring old golf
Jaimee: I mean the amazing sport of golf ;)
Jaimee: [more than an hour later] babe I was kidding
Tiger: I know sexy
Jaimee: is it orange county time yet? (Oct. 1, 6:06 p.m.)
Tiger: oh stop :)
Jaimee: hahaha I know ... but you canceled on me last time so the anticipation is killing me ... im finding myself watching sports center ... haha j/k it isn't that bad
Tiger: its never been that bad
Jaimee: very true ... I only watch football
Tiger: Figured you would say that. Big black guys.
Jaimee: u are my first, last and only black guy! U should feel special
Tiger: why do I not believe that?
Tiger: [later, in response to Jaimee's mention of a date who was "full of himself"] you kinda like that for some reason which is weird why you decided on me.
Tiger: having an asian mother and a military father you cannot and will not ever be full of yourself
Jaimee: I have fun with u, you always make me smile and I am not afraid to be myself or say anything to u ... the day I met u I thought u were going to kick me out a few times but for someone reason you didn't and u have told me numerous times I talk to much but slowly as I get to know u iI think your absolutely amazing
Tiger: you are wrong I'm bone thugs in harmon
Jaimee: Something wrong babe?I was excited to sepnd time with u this week (Oct. 15, 6:40 p.m.)
Tiger: I will you Sunda night. Its the only night in which I am totally free but I have to leave at 530 Monday morning to drive up to the valley for an outing for one of my sponsors. See you at 8 pm on Sunday in newport
Tiger: don't text me back till tomorrow morning. I have to many people around me right now
Tiger: send me something very naughty (Oct. 18, 3:40 p.m.)
Jaimee: some things are worth waiting for lol ... besides im at work
Tiger: go to the bathroom and take it
Jaimee: haha ur too much
Jaimee: are u leaving me cause your wife is still in newport :( I am lonely now ... i like falling asleep in your arms (Oct. 18, 11:38 p.m.)
Tiger: sorry baby I just can't sleep. Its just a problem I have.
Tiger: she is not here. They left this morning
Jaimee: well I appreciate you not wanting to wake me up but if y couldn't sleep I would have rather sat up and talked to u more ... find out why I keep falling more and more for u ;)
Tiger: Because I'm blasian :)
Tiger: I'm sorry babe. Im already home.
Jaimee: I'm putting my underwear back on ... thats a no no ... come take them off
Tiger: :) you are too funny
YOUR MONEY’S WORTH
If you’re not sure about it,don’t WRITE IT, TYPE IT, BLOG it,
IM it, TWITTER it or SMS it.
“Keep a diary, andit will keep you.”
QUESTION 2:
Where do words come from?
(Okay Smartass, where does the dictionary get them?)
Nounsaccusedaddictionalligatoramazementanchoviesassassinationbackingbanditbedroombumpbuzzerscourtshipcriticdauntlessdawndesigndickensdiscontentembraceemployerengagementsexcitementsexposureeyeballfixturefuturityglowgusthintimmediacyinvestmentskickshawsleapfrogluggage
managermimicmisgivingmountaineerodeoutbreakpageantrypedantperusalquestioningreinforcementretirementroadwayruminationsavageryscufflesshuddersswitchtardinesstranscendenceurgingwatchdogwormholezanyVerbsbesmirchbetblanketcakecaterchampioncompromisecowdenotederacinate
dialoguedislocatedivestdrugdwindleelbowenmeshfilmforwardgossipgrovelhobnobhumourhurryimpedesjetjiglabellapselowermisquotenegotiatenumbpanderpartnerpetitionpukerantrewordsecuresubmergeswaggertortureunclog
Adjectivesaerialauspiciousbaselessbeachedbloodstainedblushingcircumstantialconsanguineousdeafeningdisgracefuldomineeringenrapt
epilepticequivocaleventfulfashionableforegonefrugalgenerousgloomygnarledhushinaudibleinvulnerablejadedjuicedlacklusterlaughablelonelylustrousmadcapmajesticmarketablemonumental
nervynoiselessobsceneolympianpremeditatedprometheanquarrelsomeradiancerancorousreclusiveremorselessrivalsacrificialsanctimonioussoftheartedsplittingstealthytraditionaltranquilunmitigatedunrealvariedvaultingviewlesswidowedworthlessyelpingAdverbsimportantlyinstinctively obsequiously threateningly tightly trippingly unaware
“our language be considered the words and phrases used in the general intercourse of life”
Samuel Johnson from ‘The Plan of an English Dictionary”
You are the source of your own authentic language.
QUESTION 3:
Why aren’t words spelled like they sound?
pepullepepillepepilpepyllepepyllpeeplepoepull
pupillpupyllpupulpeuplepoplepoepulpuple
people
But the pronunciation kept evolving.
food used to pronounced as fode
life used to be pronounced as lyf
QUESTION 4:
Why does English have so many synonyms?
Liberty or Freedom?
Angry or Wrathful?
Help or Assist?
Famine or Hunger?
Hungor
Famine
J’ai faim.
Pre 1066 – William the Bastard
Post 1066 – William the Conqueror
Pork or Swine?
PorkHerd or SwineHerd?
“Show me the invading word!”
Liberty or Freedom?
Anger or Rage?
Assist or Help?
Fatherly or Paternal?
Amicable or Friendly?
Poultry or Hen?
Soil or Earth?
Infant or Child?
Abdomen or Belly?
god or diety
suppose or guess
begin or commence
QUESTION 5:
With all these words, which ones do you use?
YOUR MONEY’S WORTH:
USE THE GOOD ONES.
Good words are words of clear, unambigous meaning.
Never use a fancy word when a simple
word will do.
Fancy words add an adverse and
detrimental quality to all kinds of
lexographical activity.
Fancy words suck.
Niggardly
David Howard is not a smart man.
Niggardly = Miserly
"You hate to think you have to censor your language to meet other people's lack of understanding."
Julian Bond, then Chairman of the NAACP
When faced with a choice between niggardly and
miserly...
Use the word
CHEAPevery single time.
So why did David Howard use the
word, “niggardly?”
YOUR MONEY’S WORTH:
ALWAYS USE THE SIMPLEST WORD YOU CAN.
“First, learn to hammer in the nails, and if what you build is sturdy and serviceable, take satisfaction in its plain strength.”
William Zinnser, from “On Writing Well.”
Good wordsare specific
“The perpetrator performed an aggravated assault on the victim which resulted in substantial injuries and the subsequent...”
“Bill hit Steve in the head with a hammer.”
“Bill (perpetrator) hit Steve (victim) in the head with a hammer. (assault)”
“We are a global, diverse family with a proud heritage, passionately committed to providing outstanding products and services.”
“Imagine that the CEO just gave you the edict to ‘find internal sources of value that can translate into bottom line benefits over the next five years.’”
From a UPS White Paper about Supply Chain Solutions.
“Imagine that the CEO told you to cut costs.”
Use as few wordsas possible.
Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.
OMIT NEEDLESS WORDS
From the “Elements of Style,” by Strunk and White
Use words like you had to pay for each of them.
“A very common misstep in organizing a strategic sourcing program often relates to the supporting infrastructure – the strategy, process, organization and technology.”
From a UPS White Paper about Supply Chain Solutions.
“A very common misstep in organizing a strategic sourcing program often relates to the supporting infrastructure – the strategy, process, organization and technology.”
From a UPS White Paper about Supply Chain Solutions.
Words to be immediately suspicious of:
Words to be immediately suspicious of:
1. Adverbs ending in -ly
Words to be immediately suspicious of:
1. Adverbs ending in -ly
Words to be suspicious of:
1. Adverbs ending in -ly
Words to be suspicious of:
1. Adverbs ending in -ly2. Adjectives
The camel died quite suddenly on the second day, and Selena fretted sulkily and, buffing her already impeccable nails--not for the first time since the journey began--pondered snidely if this would dissolve into a vignette of minor inconveniences like all the other holidays spent with Basil.
Gail Cain 1983 Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest Winner
The camel died quite suddenly on the second day, and Selena fretted sulkily and, buffing her already impeccable nails--not for the first time since the journey began--pondered snidely if this would dissolve into a vignette of minor inconveniences like all the other holidays spent with Basil.
Gail Cain 1983 Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest Winner
The camel died on the second day.
Gail Cain 1983 Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest Winner
Selena fretted sulkily and, buffing her already impeccable nails--not for the first time since the journey began--pondered snidely if this would dissolve into a vignette of minor inconveniences like all the other holidays spent with Basil.
Words to be suspicious of:
1. Adverbs ending in -ly2. Adjectives3. Jargon
Why do peopleuse jargon?
Why would someone say:
Are you experiencing any pain?
When they could ask:
Does it hurt?
Goodwill Industries International enhances the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work.
Goodwill Mission Statement
We help people who are looking for work or better jobs so they can better provide for their families.
What directs you to the Mission Statement on Goodwill.com
We help people who are looking for work or better jobs so they can better provide for their families.
We help people who are looking for work or better jobs so they can provide for their families.
We help people provide for their families.
Goodwill Industries International enhances the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work.
Goodwill Mission Statement
We help people provide for their families through the transformative power of work.
“I gained an immense advantage over the cleverer boys... I got into my bones the essential structure of the ordinary sentence – which is a noble thing.”
Sir Winston Churchill
good words (right order)
right order =
subject verb (object)
Jesus wept.
subject object verb
Bob the ball throws
3, 4 , x = 12
Bob throws the ball.
3 x 4 = 12
“Use the analytic tool of complete sentences. Including subjects and predicates.”
Lou Gerstner, IBM
A sentence is any combination of words that expresses a complete thought.
No.
Jesus wept.
“It’s form was an exact quadrangle; and we may calculate that a square of about seven hundred yards was sufficient for the encampment of twenty thousand; though a similar number of our own troops would expose to the enemy a front of more than treble of that extent.”
Edward Gibbon from “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
A sentence is linguistic device designed to hold one (and only one) idea.
“Did you know that Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address while traveling from Washington to Gettysburg on the back of an envelope?”
Idon’tknowamus.
“Did you know that Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address while traveling from Washington to Gettysburg on the back of an envelope?”
Idon’tknowamus.
Idea #1
“Did you know that Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address while {traveling from Washington to Gettysburg} on the back of an envelope?”
Idon’tknowamus.
Idea #1
Idea #2
“Did you know that Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address while {traveling from Washington to Gettysburg} on the back of an envelope?”
Idon’tknowamus.
Idea #1
Idea #2
Idea #3
“Did you know that Abraham Lincoln, while traveling from Washington to Gettysburg, wrote the Gettysburg Address on the back of an envelope?
Idon’tknowamus.
SubjectVerb
Object
Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address.
Every sentence, no matter how complicated, confused or unclear can be broken down into Subject Verb (Object)
“Robinson, who coaches the Oregon State Beavers, was cheered on by the President, who snacked on popcorn, the First Lady, Sasha, Malia and the girls’ grandmother Marian Robinson.”
cnn.com
“A very common misstep in organizing a strategic sourcing program often relates to the supporting infrastructure – the strategy, process, organization and technology.”
From a UPS White Paper about Supply Chain Solutions.
“Avoid the passive voice”
“An error has been found in your account.”
“We made a mistake.”
The problem with the passive voice is that it violates subject verb (object)
“Honey, an affair was had.”
“I slept with my tennis coach.”
The passive voice is the voice of all those who seek to dissemble, obsfucate or otherwise cover their ass.
The passive voice also violates the principle of omitting needless words.
“Many famous quotations from Churchill, Roosevelt and Kennedy were used by the speaker in his talk on “Famous Political Orators.”
“Many famous quotations from Churchill, Roosevelt and Kennedy were used by the speaker in his talk on “Famous Political Orators.”
The speaker quoted Churchill, Roosevelt and Kennedy during his discussion of “Famous Presidential Orators.”
20
14
“Many famous quotations from Churchill, Roosevelt and Kennedy were used by the speaker in his talk on “Famous Political Orators.”
Bill Cunningham gave a talk about famous political orators. He quoted Churchill, Roosevelt and Kennedy.
20
15
How do you say something that’s never been said before?
How do you saythat for which their are no words?
When you put two words next to each other, a third meaning, is created that cannot be contained within definitions of either word.
ham
ball
funnel
funnel ball
ball funnel
ham funnel
“Ma’am, could you please ask your husband to stop cramming sandwiches down his ham funnel?”
“...a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming it’s blood funnel into anything that smells like money.”
Matt Tabbibi describing Goldman Sachs
He’s obviously upset.
He’s eloquently upset.
“What does it say that Iranians can march by the millions, put life and limb on the line, while Americans sit meekly by as a financial colossus with tentacles deep into the federal government enriches itself beyond our imagination on the backs of the poor and the struggling?”
Peter Daou on Goldman Sachs
“The first draft of everything is shit.”
Ernest Hemingway
“Clutter is the disease of American writing.”
William Zinnser, ‘On Writing Well’
“There is no great writing, only great rewriting.”
Justice Louis Brandeis
1. read it out loud2. figure out what it is trying to say3. check for bad words4. check for wrong order5. rewrite it6. read it out loud
Rewriting Procedure
YOUR MONEY’S WORTH
READ IT OUT LOUD
NO, REALLY.
Purpose: To release you into your authenticity to become a catalyst for success in your life and work.
Mission and Vision Statement For Interact V1
“Purpose: To teach businesspeople to communicate with power, ease and grace.”
Method: We release you into your authenticity, giving you both the permission and the ability to speak from who you really are – right from the soles of your shoes.
I utilized a multi-tined tool to process a starch resource.
All patient meals will be rethermalized by use of a microwave oven before delivery to patients.
With the gold and silver out of reach, Ohno scooted furiously past brothers Charles and Francois Hamelin to earn a bronze in the short-track 1,000-meter final Saturday night, making him the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian.
The Associated Press
Much too frequently, the criminal manages to escape the scene of a crime because he manages to escape the visual capability of the responding officers.
We are continuing to broaden our understanding and knowledge pertaining to print production and graphic design.
On Monday, the digital content organization plans to announce several moves that signal it is ready for companies to start building devices and services with the technology this year.
Celebrations moved like a wave from east to west as midnight joyously struck across the globe and the world welcomed 2010. In New York, at least 1 million people watched the iconic ball drop in Times Square.
cnn.com
Valais is the first water bottled in the Swiss Alps to be sold in the United States. The final design for the bottle label reflects the Swiss heritage by featuring a mountain images, as well as a Swiss flag icon. It informs consumers visually that this is a refreshing, natural beverage.
Businesses planning sales strategy perceive buying power as a gauge of the general ability of potential customers to buy their products.
Reality show stars Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian can now sell the clothes right off their backs to their fans.
The Associated Press
“It is one thing to study war and another to live the warrior's life.”
Telemon of Arcadia
How towritelike a professional
Writing is
The entire process by which we discover what we are trying to say.
YOUR MONEY’S WORTH
It’s okay to be lost.
In fact, you can’t do creative work without getting lost. It’s a
part of the process.
1. There is a problem. 2. You gather information.3. You develop solutions/options. 4. Some of them seem okay. Not great.5. You run out of ideas.6. You put it out of your mind completely.7. The Eureka moment.
The Creative Process
I believe that we get, at most,
SIX periods of concentration a day.
“A writer only gets
2 to 3 hoursof productivity a day.”
“The writing part isn’t hard, it’s sitting downto write.”
Steven Pressfield
CELLPHONE
CELLPHONE
CELLPHONESMS
CELLPHONESMS
CO-WORKERS
IM
CELLPHONESMS
CO-WORKERS
IM
CELLPHONESMS
E-MAIL LANDLINE
CO-WORKERS
TWITTER IM
CELLPHONESMS
E-MAIL LANDLINE
CO-WORKERS
Plus whatever else is going on in your head.
THE TOMATO CAN SAVE US.
25 focused minutes=
The Pomodoro Technique1. Choose a task2. Set timer to 25 minutes3. Work on the task until the timer rings.*4. Take a short break. 5. Every four Pomodoros, a longer break.
The Pomodoro is not about time.
It is about your awareness of time.
YOUR MONEY’S WORTH
WRITING IS SPIRITUALLY DIFFICULT
BECAUSE OF THE ANXIETY OF BECOMING.
What we do is a consequence of where we place our attention.
Pick a topic
“He writes the worst English that I have ever encountered. It reminds me of a string of wet sponges; it reminds me of tattered washing on the line; it reminds me of stale bean soup, of college yells, of dogs barking idiotically through endless nights. It is so bad that a sort of grandeur creeps into it.”
H.L. Mencken on Warren G. Harding
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