We used to have a red upholstered chair and ottoman in our office. It was incredibly ugly. However, it moved with us wherever we went and had multiple homes around the office. It was the JuJu chair, and it had indescribable creative power…at least for me.  Read more...

Good communication skills have a broad application.

Oh so many years ago, when I declared my collegiate major in English, my academic advisor assumed I would bolster that particular field of study with a minor in education. “Oh nay, nay,” was my response—well, maybe not those exact words. But while my refusal may have been a bit more timid, it was firm. I had no interest in teaching and I could not be dissuaded from my course. I could read the obvious consternation and concern on the face of Beulah Baker, my advisor, but my course and my course work were set in my mind. I was going to be a writer and nothing else. I’m certain Beulah thought I would starve.  Read more...

Ultimately, the job of a copywriter is to put words in other people’s mouths. I am a ghost writer, really. I listen to the client’s story, then compose it for them; because there’s a difference between having something to say and actually being able to articulate it effectively. That’s why there are copywriters.

That being said, despite my arguments against it, I recognize in some instances marcomm folks are going to produce copy in-house. Thus, in order to be of some service to these brave auto-biographers, I have compiled a short list of guidelines to help you make the most of your pen.  Read more...

In the early ‘90s I was hired by a multi-national securities brokerage to write a short booklet on how independent brokers could use the internet to generate new business. Sitting across the desk from the firm’s marketing manager, with whom I had worked closely for quite some time, I smiled warmly and assured her it was no problem. This was a lie.  Read more...

I have an embarrassing confession to make that involves a bit of painful reminiscence. When I was in high school I was invited into the National Honor Society. While my inclusion in this organization resulted in nothing more than an unremarkable note on my first resume, the memory of the actual induction ceremony is something that still causes my chin to fall and my shoulders to slump.  Read more...