Why Does Persistence Pay? The Mathematical Proof
We’ve all heard it a million times that “persistence pays.” We’ve seen countless examples of people succeeding in something just because they’ve kept trying at it until… SHAZAM! Something gives away, an invisible lever in the sky flips over, and the obstacles disappear like magic. We use the phrase “lucky break” to describe the mysterious…
Read MoreFacts about Abbreviations & Acronyms
I just came across a great article on how to abbreviate titles and other things and what NOT to abbreviate. I think we all need a refresher like this from time to time, especially if English is your second language. Here is an excerpt from this useful article by M. J. Mardan: Titles before names: Mrs.,…
Read MoreSecrets of Writing Great Catalog Copy
Words with double meaning, “double entendre,” is what lies at the core of great catalog copy. You should also pay attention to the words which can be used both as a NOUN and a VERB (e.g., “work) or as a NOUN and an ADJECTIVE (e.g., “clear) since they offer many opportunities for word-play and…
Read MoreThe Typical Day of a Successful Writer
Bob Bly is one of the most successful writers I’ve known. He has always been one of my role models as a professional writer. So here is a newsletter that I received from Bob this morning. I liked it so much that I asked his permission to reprint it here. He kindly agreed. Read the…
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