This fabulous tool will analyze your message to reveal strengths and weaknesses. Load one of the demos or paste in your own text and click “Analyze” to reveal style issues. The “Rewrite” button will appear. Click and the AI will … More ā
This fabulous tool will analyze your message to reveal strengths and weaknesses. Load one of the demos or paste in your own text and click “Analyze” to reveal style issues. Then the “Rewrite” button will appear. Click and the AI … More ā
Since time immemorial, clichĆ©s have sneaked in the door when we least expect them to. They’re low-hanging fruit for writers who abscond with them quickly instead of striving for excellence. But to the trained eye, writing clichĆ©s stick out like … More ā
Verbs are the engines that move your writing and your readers, but many authors don’t spend enough time choosing the right ones. If your writing was an electric guitar, your verbs would be the volume, tone, and distortion controls that … More ā
Two-word clichĆ©s are perhaps the least obvious kind. Unless we’re vigilant, they sneak into our prose, steal color, mask our individual writer’s voice, and make us sound like millions of other writers who mindlessly employ the same worn out word … More ā
Are images analogous to words? Is what makes a sentence sound “right” the same thing that makes an image “pop” or a jazz solo “burn?” The similarities are noteworthy but the differences are important. Just as the best of writers … More ā
“Passive writing” refers to a specific set of grammatical circumstances where emphasis switches from subject to object. The money was stolen by Jill. instead of Jill stole the money. This is confusing if you’re writing about Jill but perfectly acceptable … More ā
Generic descriptions are telltale signs of lazy writing. Add color to your writing by replacing overused and boring words. It’s such a nice day today. He’s very bright. My dog is really funny. Bill is a good soccer player. Shari … More ā
Dialogue presents challenges for writers. Some prefer to simply declare what was āsaid.ā Many authors feel that āsaidā is both traditional and invisible: āI’m going to write some dialogue,ā said Bill. āI look forward to reading it, āsaid Helene. But … More ā
As a graphic designer, I see numerous parallels between the values that create engaging imagery and the values that create engaging prose. So many designs fail because the designer arranged elements on a page without questioning their purpose, hierarchy, or … More ā
The word “that” is often abused. “That” is a perfectly useful pronoun but it’s often the useless fat that slows down an otherwise good sentence. I think that you and I need to talk. I told my readers that I … More ā
Nothing screams āamateurā like a poorly crafted book cover. The standards for book design aspired to by trade publishers are not all that high, but self-publishers routinely fall short of them. If you want your book to be taken seriously, … More ā
Writing teachers encourage us to engage the mind and senses. Describe sights, smells, tastes, sounds, feelings, thoughts, and tactile experiences to appeal to the reader’s imagination on every possible level. In concept, this is excellent advice. In practice, the advice … More ā
Heart words are verbs that offer emotional impact. Words like “put” and “use” and “develop” are functional but bland. Words like “create” and “inspire” and “discover” are motivating and empowering. Use this collection of heart words in calls to action, … More ā
Is AI-Generated Marketing Copy the powerful shortcut we’ve been told it is? The explosive growth of online content has done little for the evolution of graphic design or copywriting. Publishing has never been so easy, and the demands of producing … More ā
Perhaps you’ve experienced flow writing. You sit down, watch your fingers tap away at the keyboard, and wonder, Where did that come from? Did I write that? That’s really good!Ā Sometimes the experience of flow can be as simple and … More ā
AI Storytelling – Is it any good? I entered a simple prompt into ChatGPT. Yes, I could have been more specific about what I wantedābetter prompts make for better output from the AIābut my intention was to analyze the … More ā
Verbs are the engines that move your writing, your speaking,Ā your readers, and your audiences but many authors ands presenters don’t spend enough time choosing the right ones. If your writing was an electric guitar, your verbs would be the volume, … More ā
