The Writing Edge for Business Writers: 9/29/17

Sep 29, 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 like you talk and storytelling.

From Nathan Kontny: Write like you talk

“And if I asked most people to write an essay about their day. It’s likely going to come out a lot like my mentee’s. Stiff, formulaic, unoriginal. But if we had an intimate conversation over coffee, the story about your day would be remarkably different.”

From John Baldoni: John Le Carre: Storytelling Lessons For Managers

“‘It’s a principle of mine to come to a story as late as possible, and to tell it as fast as you can.’ That’s the advice that David Cornwell aka John Le Carre gives writers who want to give their stories impetus and hook readers from the get-go”

From Joseph Grenny: Great Storytelling Connects Employees to Their Work

“Fortunately, there is a lot a leader can do to help employees feel a deeper sense of motivation (and resultant satisfaction) in their work. And the first place to begin is with connection.”

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