The Writing Edge for Business Writers: 8/18/17

Aug 18, 2017 | Reading Lists

You’re a businessperson. You may not think of yourself as a writer, but you know that writing well can boost your results and your career. Naturally, you want to do better. Every week I point you to articles and blog posts that I think will teach you something or spark an idea or two. The posts are about the intertwined tasks of reading and writing. Some weeks there are more pointers than others.

This week I’m pointing you to pieces on writing a business book and why that’s like getting a master’s degree. There’s also a post on humor in business.

From Victor Prince: Write a Business Book in 8 Steps

“I am writing this blog to help other aspiring authors get past the hump between ‘life happens’ and a life goal. Here are the eight lessons that got me over the hump to put my first book out at age 40-something.”

Wally’s Comment: Victor wrote that post after writing his first book. His latest book is The Camino Way: Lessons in Leadership from a Walk Across Spain.

From Brian Rashid: 5 Reasons Why Writing A Book Is The New Masters Degree

“Many professionals are now writing a book, or several books in lieu of completing a secondary degree, and here are five reasons why it’s becoming a valid replacement:”

Wally’s Comment: The late Jeff Senne and I wrote two books together. He liked to say that writing a book was like getting a PhD. I disagreed with Jeff and I disagree with Brian Rashid. Writing a book should be an intense learning experience, but it’s different than getting any kind of formal degree program. You may learn as much either way, but the processes are totally different.

From Joel Stein: Humor Is Serious Business

“You are not as funny as you should be, and your company is suffering because of it.”

Sources I Check Regularly

I find the posts and articles that I share with you on The Writing Edge in many places. But there are a few that provide insightful pieces again and again. Here they are.

Alliance of Independent Authors

Frances Caballo

Jane Friedman

jeffbullas.com

Jerry Jenkins

Joel Friedlander

Joanna Penn

Melissa G. Wilson

Men with Pens

Merce Cardus

Problogger

Daphne Gray-Grant

Becky Robinson’s Weaving Influence