Why Powerful Writing Is Important
One of the ways I work with clients is to help them improve their writing. It might not be fair or accurate, but people judge our ability to reason by how we express ourselves in writing.
Thinking . . . writing . . . business . . . thinking . . . we can’t separate them.
Together they determine our place in society. Whether you blog, write for business, or only email, writing is critical to your future.
New Feature: An Editorial Makeover
I’m introducing a new feature — An Editorial Makeover. It’s a Content Edit — a Before and After — where you can look over my shoulder. Every editor edits differently. You won’t agree with all of my choices. That could make for great conversation.
I’m starting with a paragraph from my own work Bad Boys of Business: Thatââ¬â¢s Not ââ¬ÅRealââ¬Â Work.
Turn the page to see the first Editorial Makeover.
___________________________________
Before — What I Actually Wrote
Meet their
leader[see insert], Bad Boy 1: That’s Not Real Work. [see insert]
Stressed Out Before We Start
We’re about to sit down and get to work, and then we realize that our desk is still covered with remnants of our last task [see insert]. Time to clean up before we start a new one. Get [see insert] a fresh view in our head.[see insert]. That’s when this bad boy shows up. [see insert].
“That’s not real work. [see insert],” he says.
_____________________________________
After — How I Actually Revised It
Meet their point man, Bad Boy 1: That’s Not Real Work. You’re wasting time.
Stressed Before We Start
We’re about to work, and we realize that our desk is covered with stuff. Time to clean up, to get a fresh view before we start. That’s when this bad boy starts talking.
“That’s not real work. You’re wasting time,” he says.
__________________________________________
Want an Editorial Makeover?
Send 2-3 paragraphs of your writing. I’ll use your work for the next makeover. I’ll be gentle and I’ll keep it confidential. If you’re worried, you might have a friend send your submission for you. Email your work to Editorial Makeover at lizsun2@gmail.com.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
If you’d like Liz to coach you with your writing, visit the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.
Related articles
See the Power Writing for Everyone series on the SUCCESSFUL SERIES page
Dear Liz,
What a fantastic idea! In one of my grad school classes we spent more than 30 minutes editing just a couple paragraphs. Some students found the exercise defeating and excessive, but to me it was a valuable lesson about cutting through jargon and getting to the point. Needless to say, I’m still learning.
I’m sending you three paragraphs from a recent post on my website. I’m researching Muslim immigrants in Berlin, and my excerpt is from a recent post on language flubs. I’d be delighted if you gave my writing a makeover!
Thanks for your time and generosity!
All the best,
Jim
Hi Jim,
Welcome and thank you for your comment!
I’d be happy to make yours my next Editorial MakeOver. I’m thinking next Thursday might be the day for it. . . .
I’ll let you know what it’s up and send you a copy so that you can see it.
The idea of showing a makeover is great. Can I offer a suggestion? Spend a bit of time next time explaining the reasons behind the changes you make. In the example above, not everyone is going to immediately understand why you deleted so much of the text you had originally written. (Not everyone has internalized Strunk and White’s “Omit needless words.”)
I’m looking forward to looking over your shoulder as you do this. (Heck, I may steal the idea for my blog!)
Hi Roy,
Nice to meet you! I always invite suggestions. I started to write what I was doing, but then I realized that omit needless words and and find more vivid synonyms were going to be the same points on almost every makeover.
If you steal it, send me money. I have kid in college. 🙂
And you had doubts if it would go over…
😉
Yeah, I wasn’t sure, Joe.
Thanks for the smile. It’s always nice to get one from a friend. 🙂 back to you.
Liz,
Do you mind doing a review of a live post?
You can use anything you wish as an example for this series. Besides, I know it could have been better written, so any help is appreciated.
http://workingathomeinternet.com/WP/2006/07/14/what-prompted-the-move-to-my-own-domain/
Thanks… 🙂
Hi Joe,
That’s and interesting challenge. You’re the third to ask, but your request is a different kind. I don’t mind taking a look at it. It might take a few days to get there . . . Could be fun. 🙂
I’ll be gentle. 🙂
Please be gentle… I have a very sensitive ego.
🙂
Thought you might like the challenge.
Joe,
I’ve worked with authors with giant, sensitive egos . . . you’re not a worry. I can be nice to you. 🙂
Hey, I have a kid in college too. So what do you say to 50% of the ticket sales for any “makeover” post? 😉
Well, Roy,
I was thinking . . . Let’s subtract your son’s tuition from my son’s tuition and you give me the difference, How’s that?
No way. Because it’s not my son who’s in college. (And I’m not left-handed, either. OK, that was a really vague movie allusion.)
Interestingly enough, after mentioning that I might steal this idea, someone e-mailed me asking if I could help interpret an obtuse university regulation. You can see the resulting makeover here: http://rmjacobsen.squarespace.com/notebook/2006/7/14/extreme-makeover-sentence-edition.html
Sheesh. Should have used tinyurl. Sorry for cluttering things up.
Hi Roy,
Conversation is NEVER clutter. I’ve enjoyed talking to you. Do come back!