One benefit of working as a ghostwriter and author coach is that I get to spend time with intelligent people who have deep knowledge of their...
Better Writing
Better Writing: Get Your Writing Rhythm
“It don’t mean a thing (if it ain’t got that swing).” That’s a saying of trumpeter Bubber Miley. Duke Ellington wrote a jazz standard based on it....
Taking Stock
The New Year is a great time to take stock of your life and your writing. Here’s how Dan Pink describes this period in his excellent book, When: The...
5 Ways to Do It Wrong
I tell my clients there’s almost always an array of good solutions to any writing problem. There’s usually many more than one right answer. But...
The Writer as Action Hero
My friend Jim wanted to be a writer. He took writing courses. He bought books about writing. He planned several projects. The problem was, he never...
Business Authors: Don’t Write Like a Writer
“If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.” Elmore Leonard said that in his Ten Rules of Writing. It was so important that Leonard didn’t give it a...
Read a Lot to Learn to Write Well
It’s obvious that you should write a lot if you want to become a good writer. What’s not so obvious is that you should also read a lot. Reading is...
Should you buy that nifty writing software?
My clients are mid-career professionals who want to write a book to improve their reputation. They are often tempted to buy a piece of sophisticated...
There is No Magic to Learning to Write Well
We went on a trip with some friends this weekend. While my friend was checking us in at our hotel, I got to talking with the young man who had...
5 Keys to Creating a Great Piece of Writing
I love bourbon. But I can't imagine myself spending over $1000 for a bottle of it. That’s what a bottle of legendary Pappy Van Winkle 23 costs....