writing tips and tricks
The HARDEST Creativity-Boosting Exercise EVER!
Looking for a creativity exercise that doesn’t involve sticky notes, group brainstorming, or yet another “innovation framework”? I’ve got one for you! It requires zero equipment, zero skill, and zero movement. But here’s the twist: it might be the most challenging ten minutes of your day. Ready? Here’s your creativity exercise: Why is This Simple…
Read MoreBoost Brand Authority: Strengthen Your Voice to Stand Out
Your professional brand voice goes beyond how you talk about your business; it’s how you showcase your authority and leave a lasting impression. But if your voice isn’t sending the right signals, you might be missing out on chances to build trust, stand out, and win people over. 💣Truth bomb: You can have impressive qualifications,…
Read More5 Fabulous Journals That Help Me Organize, Navigate, and Ponder Life
My first journal was a bright pink diary that had a tiny gold lock on one side. I stashed the key in my underwear drawer. FYI: To my 8-year-old self, that drawer was an impenetrable vault where I kept my most sacred items, including a very grownup lipgloss I was too self-conscious to wear, my…
Read More5 Things You Should Have In Your Writing Space (Because I Said So)
I’ve been writing for decades, in cubicles and offices, and in various parts of my home. For many years, I worked in a makeshift office in the unfinished side of my basement — just steps away from the oil tank and the kitty litter box. And my first real office doubled as a spare bedroom, so I had to…
Read More3 Breathing Exercises To Help You Focus, Think Creatively, And Enjoy Life
Being able to steady your thoughts is a hugely valuable life skill. Breathing exercises are an integral part of that skill. Professionally, I’m paid to think deep thoughts, strategize, organize, and write creatively. It’s how I pay my mortgage and put my kids through university. So I’m pretty disciplined when it comes to keeping my…
Read More7 Simple Habits That Will Help You Write Faster and Easier
“I hate writing, I love having written.” Dorothy Parker Writing is a funny process, when you stop to think about it. It’s an odd dance that requires various parts of your brain to fall into rhythm and work together. It’s a rub-your-head-while-you-pat-your-belly sort of situation but with a dozen hands on the go at one time. What…
Read MoreHow To Tighten A Sentence: 3 Easy Ways To Improve Readability
Rambling is a always a negative, whether you’re speaking or writing. That said, you have more leeway when speaking because there are many ways to hold attention. You can use tone, body language, facial expressions, etc. to keep listeners interested. But when you write, there are only words. So rambling isn’t just annoying – it’s…
Read MoreThis Simple Morning Habit Can Make Your Day Happier and More Creative
“How you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have.” — Lemony Snicket Morning habits are important because they set the tone for the rest of the day. That’s why I start every morning with the same activity: I write 5 positive moments from the day BEFORE. In…
Read More6 Punctuation Mistakes That Annoy Readers And How To Fix Them
“In writing, punctuation plays the role of body language. It helps readers hear the way you want to be heard.” ― Russell Baker GOOD punctuation is something most readers take for granted. In my 20+ years of writing, I’ve never had someone leave a comment raving about the perfection of my punctuation. If you’re doing it right,…
Read More7 Tips To Avoid Accidental Plagiarism When Writing Content
In school, we were taught to think of plagiarism as a type of cheating. It was something BAD students did. They stole information and text from various sources and deliberately tried to pass it off as their own work. As a professional writer (and a decent human being), I know how to avoid that kind…
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