What Do Writers Do?

(A longer version of this article originally appeared in Active Voice, the monthly newsletter of the San Francisco Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication.) What do you do when you “write”? This conundrum first came to me while editing a first draft manuscript on how to break through writing blocks. When stuck, so that you can’t write, I wondered, what are you not doing? Maybe analogies help. Does a writer perform, as in a school play? Do you learn your lines? Say your little bit on cue? Hope the audience likes you? And take a bow? Does the writer tailor a suit designed by someone else? Do you lay a pattern over the raw material? Cut along the lines? Sew the pieces together? Make a few minor alterations to fit? Tell the customer in the three-way mirror...

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Posted by on Jan 13, 2014 in All, Book Publishing, Writing | 0 comments

Almost All You Will Ever Need to Know About Writing

Use the word CABLE, and a vivid picture of it, to remember the keys to reaching your audience. C  CLEAR Say it so the reader gets it the first time. Be direct and specific. Use active verbs and familiar nouns. If you must use a technical or unfamiliar word, translate it into words your reader understands. While learning the craft, stick with words and grammatical forms you can handle confidently. A  ACCURATE Check facts and figures constantly. Pay attention to names. Identify your sources. The reader wants to know how you know what you think you know. Separate fact from opinion. Know what you are talking about, since usually someone somewhere knows more about it than you do. B BRIEF Say it until you have said it, then stop. Make every word tell. Keep asking...

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Posted by on May 2, 2012 in All | 0 comments

Thank You for Visiting!

Welcome to CatalystCreative.us. We hope to provide you with expanded information about writing, about publication, and about how we can help you advance your dreams. Please contact us! Thank you!

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Posted by on Apr 20, 2011 in All | 1 comment