Posts Tagged ‘writing ideas’

A couple nights ago I was watching the new show “Trauma” with my hubby. In the episode, a building catches on fire and one of the EMT’s said something along the lines of ” at least we got here before the entire place burns down”. And being me (and a little strange), that triggered my memory and I asked my hubby, “Does a house burn up or burn down”? After looking at me like I was crazy (I’m not, I swear!), I explained that it was the title of an essay I remembered reading as a kid – about some of the weird parts of the English language – and that it was called “does a house burn up or burn down”. I didn’t remember who wrote it, but I decided I needed to find it. Unfortunately, I found nothing with that title. So, after spending some time thinking, I remembered a few other lines of it, and searched for those.  Luckily Google and I finally found it! And it wasn’t an essay at all. It is an entire book called Crazy English, by Richard Lederer! I was very excited to find it, and even more excited to find the excerpt from the book that I remembered reading in school. So, for a little mid-week break, enjoy some of the craziness of the English language, as written by Richard Lederer:

English is a crazy language—the most loopy and wiggy of all tongues.

In what other language do people drive in a parkway and park in a driveway?
In what other language do people play at a recital and recite at a play?
Why does night fall but never break and day break but never fall?
When a house burns up, it burns down. You fill in a form by filling it out and an alarm clock goes off by going on?

Why is it that when we transport something by car, it’s called a shipment, but when we transport something by ship, it’s called cargo?
Why do we pack suits in a garment bag and garments in a suitcase?
Why do privates eat in the general mess and generals eat in the private mess?
Why do we call it newsprint when it contains no printing but when we print on it, we call it a newspaper?

Why does a man get a hernia and a woman a hysterectomy?
Why—in our crazy language—can your nose run and your feet smell?

Language is like the air we breathe. It’s invisible, inescapable, indispensable, and we take it for granted. But, when we take the time to step back and listen to the sounds that escape from the holes in people’s faces and to explore the paradoxes and vagaries of English, we find that hot dogs can be cold, darkrooms can be lit, homework can be done in school, nightmares can take place in broad daylight while morning sickness and day-dreaming can take place at night, tomboys are girls and midwives can be men, hours—especially happy hours and rush hours—often last longer than sixty minutes, quicksand works very slowly, boxing rings are square, silverware and glasses can be made of plastic and tablecloths of paper, most telephones are dialed by being punched (or pushed?), and most bathrooms don’t have any baths in them. In fact, a dog can go to the bathroom under a tree—no bath, no room; it’s still going to the bathroom. And doesn’t it seem a little bizarre that we go to the bathroom in order to go to the bathroom?

Why is it that a woman can man a station but a man can’t woman one, that a father can father a movement but a woman can’t mother one, and that a king rules a kingdom but a queen doesn’t rule a queendom? How did all those Renaissance men reproduce when there don’t seem to have been any Renaissance women?

Sometimes you have to believe that all English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane:
In what other language do they call the third hand on the clock the second hand?
Why do they call them apartments when they’re all together?
Why do we call them buildings when they’re already built?
Why is it called a TV set when you get only one?
Why is phonetic not spelled phonetically? Why is it so hard to remember how to spell mnemonic? Why doesn’t onomatopoeia sound like what it is? Why is the word abbreviation so long? Why is diminutive so undiminutive? Why does the word monosyllabic consist of five syllables? Why is there no synonym for synonym or thesaurus? And why is there an s in lisp?

English is crazy.

If adults commit adultery, do infants commit infanticide? If olive oil is made from olives, what do they make baby oil from? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian consume? if pro and con are opposites, is congress the opposite of progress?

Why can you call a woman a mouse but not a rat—a kitten but not a cat? Why is it that a woman can be a vision, but not a sight—unless your eyes hurt? Then she can be “a sight for sore eyes.”

A writer is someone who writes, and a stinger is something that stings. But fingers don’t fing, grocers don’t groce, hammers don’t ham, humdingers don’t humding, ushers don’t ush, and haberdashers do not haberdash.

If the plural of tooth is teeth, shouldn’t the plural of booth be beeth? One goose, two geese—so one moose, two meese? One index, two indices—one Kleenex, two Kleenices?

If people ring a bell today and rang a bell yesterday, why don’t we say that they flang a ball? If they wrote a letter, perhaps they also bote their tongue. If the teacher taught, why isn’t it also true that the preacher praught? Why is it that the sun shone yesterday while I shined my shoes, that I treaded water and then trod on the beach, and that I flew out to see a World Series game in which my favorite player flied out?

If we conceive a conception and receive at a reception, why don’t we grieve a greption and believe a beleption? If a firefighter fights fire, what does a freedom fighter fight? If a horsehair mat is made from the hair of horses, from what is a mohair coat made?

A slim chance and a fat chance are the same, as are a caregiver and a caretaker, a bad licking and a good licking, and “What’s going on?” and “What’s coming off?” But a wise man and a wise guy are opposites. How can sharp speech and blunt speech be the same and quite a lot and quite a few the same, while overlook and oversee are opposites? How can the weather be hot as hell one day and cold as hell the next?

If button and unbutton and tie and untie are opposites, why are loosen and unloosen and ravel and unravel the same? If bad is the opposite of good, hard the opposite of soft, and up the opposite of down, why are badly and goodly, hardly and softly, and upright and downright not opposing pairs? If harmless actions are the opposite of harmful actions, why are shameful and shameless behavior the same and pricey objects less expensive than priceless ones? If appropriate and inappropriate remarks and passable and impassable mountain trails are opposites, why are flammable and inflammable materials, heritable and inheritable property, and passive and impassive people the same?

How can valuable objects be less valuable than invaluable ones? If uplift is the same as lift up, why are upset and set up opposite in meaning? Why are pertinent and impertinent, canny and uncanny, and famous and infamous neither opposites nor the same? How can raise and raze and reckless and wreckless be opposites when each pair contains the same sound?

Why is it that when the sun or the moon or the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible; that when I clip a coupon from a newspaper I separate it, but when I clip a coupon to a newspaper, I fasten it; and that when I wind up my watch, I start it, but when I wind up this essay, I shall end it?

Most bloggers have 3-5 topics that they write about (their niche). For me, I write about blog management tools (calendars, content, writing tips, etc), social media (experiences, how to use it more efficiently, fun stories), creativity (in business ideas, marketing, advertising) and some web design (ideas, rules, advice). While I chose these topics because they are what I love and am passionate about, sometimes, I get bored with them.

Writing  blog posts is not always fun (and anyone who says they always love writing their blog posts is lying). Sometimes you are going to struggle with your content, and may not be excited to write about anything in your niche.

Here are the 7 things I do to keep myself excited about my topics:

1. Write about something you don’t normally write about. It is okay to stray from your main content areas every once in a while. Surprising your readers with a unique story or topic can help refresh them as well. And, when you come back to your own topics, they feel new again!
2. Take a day off from blogging. You don’t have to blog every day, and if you have too much going on, can’t think of something to write about, or don’t feel like writing, it’s okay to give yourself the day off. Unless of course you’re Chris Brogan.
3. Read through past comments. Sometimes the topics that I like to write about the most are not the ones that my readers like. Reading through past comments helps me to focus on the topics that got my readers attention. Plus, it is a bit of a ego boost to see the number of people that enjoy your work!
4. Re-write or build on an old post. There are quite a few of my older posts that I re-read and realize that I could have expanded on or improved. Re-writing them or adding more to the thoughts will help both you and your readers. For you, it forces you to think deeper about a certain topic, and will allow you somewhere to start. For your new readers, it gives them a chance to read an old post they may have missed.
5. Put together a brainstorming page on each of your topics. At the top of a page, write the name of the parent topic, then quickly write the first 5 post ideas that come to mind. Repeat for all your parent topics. While a lot of the post ideas you come up with may not be great, hopefully you’ll get a couple from each category that jump start your creativity.
6. Change up your style for a post. I normally write a lot in my posts (don’t use a lot of images). So if I am struggling with a topic, I will try reversing it: create an entire post with images and very minimal text. It is still on topic, it is just a different layout, which makes it more fun.
7. Ask questions about my topics. Many times the reason we lack excitement on a topic is because we are not sure if anyone else cares about it (or which areas people care about in a topic). Asking questions of your readers in a post will not only gather comments, but help you to see what people want to know.

What suggestions do you have to get excited about your content?

Hi, my name is Kirsten and I am addicted to Photoshop. Yesterday, my addiction took over. And today, I let it get to me again. It is powerful when it has me in it’s grasp, even trying to sneak a tweet is almost impossible. Yesterday it was so strong that I didn’t even get a blog post written (it’s only the second post I’ve missed in 13 weeks!). Today, I finally pulled myself out of the blue box and into my blog, but only after 6 hours of design.

Unfortunately, as I talked about early this year, design ruins my writing. So, even though I am on here, trying to get a blog post written, there isn’t much for me to talk about. I couldn’t even come up with a topic!

Of course, my addiction isn’t really a bad thing since I love to design, and my clients love it too! It is part of my business, and absolutely something that I need to be doing. I have no problem designing after writing. But, it is difficult to concentrate on words when all I have focused on is images. On top of that, it is really difficult to pull myself away from Photoshop once I have gotten started (which is why I call it an addiction).

Do you have an addiction to one area of your work?

Be quiet

I absolutely love blogs, the way that it is so simple to subscribe and get it in whichever rss feed you choose (or by email!), the customization, the fact that they always have new information, and the multitude of topics.

What I don’t like is old but great articles are not always easy to find. First, even with a ‘most popular post’ widget on the sidebar, it doesn’t always show the ones you would want. And second, many people forget to even look for that on the sidebar.

So, I figured I would share 1 of my favorites from each month of 2009 (and why I like them)! I hope you enjoy them as much as I liked writing them

1. Defining a social media system. I loved this one because it made me really think about what I was doing and hold myself accountable.
2. 5 design rules everyone should know. A lot of times even I forget the rules, and it was a good refresher on what to do and what not to do.
3. What to do when things fail. Unfortunately, we all will at some point. Writing this post helped me to realize that it was okay.
4. Can I solve your problem today? This was my favorite one from the problogger challenge, and definitely the one that took the most time and effort. But it was worth it.
5. 5 hysterical social media videos. Okay, not brilliant writing on my part, but c’mon…they are just so darn funny!
6. What has twitter taught you? While I don’t believe that twitter is the be all end all of social networks, I do love it. And, I have learned a great deal about myself and my business through using it.
7. How do I manage my writing. The title says it all.
8. Nothing like watching your work grow. Sometimes business ideas don’t come from anything related to business at all.

Make sure to leave a comment on the posts letting me know your thoughts on the ones you may have missed…

Yesterday, I started my 7 sins of creativity and writing with lust. Today, we are on to sin #2, Gluttony.

Gluttony is traditionally defined as over-eating (either in amount of food or amount spent on food). In modern times, it has become more vague, and can be used to define anything done to an extreme. For example, a writer who writes too often and never gives the floor to someone else would be considered a gluttonous writer. Or one who writes about themselves all the time, and never shares the stories of other amazing individuals. So that I don’t fall into this category , I would like to share an incredible view on creativity from Brad Marley, a PR professional who shares his thoughts on his work, his life and anything else that pops into his brain on his blog at BradMarley.com. He has become a virtual friend via twitter and our blogs, and hopefully I will get a chance to meet him soon. So thanks Brad, for saving me from being a glutton, and for sharing your thoughts with my readers!

Creativity is Terrifying

Some of us are born with the ability to create things that others are willing to pay to experience.

Most of us are not.

If you’re one of the few that emerged from the womb a creativity prodigy, you can stop reading this blog post right now. Go ruin an iconic image with technology, or something.

Oh, good – everyone is still here. Let’s continue.

In public relations – where every company with a job opening is looking for creative individuals – it’s no different.

Rare is the opportunity when we actually put our creative chops to use.

We like to gather in conference rooms and brainstorm the craziest, most outlandish ideas for our client’s product roll-out…then bury them in a PowerPoint deck that the client never sees.

Why?

Because these creative ideas truly terrify us.

If they don’t stick, we look and aloof and careless; that little exposed part of our soul shrivels up and dies. Creating the ‘World’s Largest Rolodex’ seemed cutting edge among our peers, but put it in front of the CEO of a company?

No way.

And it’s like that in all walks of creativity.

The greatest idea you have ever compiled carries no resemblance to the end product. What seemed so clear and concise in your brain comes out looking like a Rorschach symbol. Your audience shares looks of confusion. Their casual indifference might as well be punches to the face. At least then the physical bruises would distract everyone from the mental anguish.

From there, creativity is off-limits. Everything you produce – from your best friend’s wedding speech to the eulogy at your grandfather’s funeral – is straight vanilla. Your wardrobe consists entirely of muted tones.

The world is a drab place. The sun never shines.

You eat nothing but Oreo cookies.

But then, one morning, you wake up to birds chirping and a shining sun.

It – this world where people make up stories and draw characters in costumes for a living – suddenly becomes so clear and obvious.

Creative people are crazy.

And you long to associate yourself with them.

Over the next 7 days, I will be covering the 7 sins of creativity, the things that you just can’t do if you want your writing powerful and your creative juices to stay strong. The idea was given to me by Andi, your online go to gal, one my blog readers. She created a fabulous series of the 7 sins of social media…and I loved the idea so much that I had to take it and run with it…changing it to the 7 sins of creativity and writing.

For those who need a refresher course, the 7 sins are:

1. Lust
2. Gluttony
3. Greed
4. Sloth
5. Wrath
6. Envy
7. Pride

Today is all about lust. Lust is traditionally tied to an overwhelming sexual desire, but over time, the word has been attributed to an overwhelming desire for almost anything. With creativity and writing, lust can be one of the most dangerous sins.Very similar to envy, lust is about the desire to have something someone else has. Unlike envy though, lust is more about your own personal gain, rather than anger towards someone for being successful

Many writers see someones success and have an overwhelming desire to have that same success. What they often forget to think about is the time and the energy that person put in to get where they are. Writers are not born overnight, they are trained, practiced and studied in their craft and spend every working moment improving what they do. Those new to creativity lust after the spotlight that great writing might bring them. They day dream about the money and fame they could acquire from a best selling novel. What that lust does is blind the writer to their own errors and leaves their writing on the back-burner. To overcome lust, one must take a step back and analyze what it is they are really lusting after. Once you have discovered the root of your lust, you can find a way to remove it.

Seeing that today is the 10th two-word Tuesday (wow, time flies) I have decided to take a step back and re-evaluate. Sometimes you create something that you think is going to be incredible, and not everyone gets it, or you create something you think will be just okay, and it turns out phenomenal. In this case, I am not sure whether to continue two-word Tuesday as it is, or maybe change it up a bit. I like the idea of having a once a week thing, since the rest of the time I am pretty random. It gives me something to plan for each week, and stability for my readers. I contemplated adding more words, changing it to be something like “Tuesday Tips” that are short, interesting tips on writing/social media/blogging. Or maybe Tuesday Tutorials. Find fun/unique/creative tutorials on different tools or programs. I’m just not sure yet, and I don’t know what you would want to see!

So, your two words for today (and what I am hoping to get from you) is…
Your Opinion

Over the last few months, I have received some great comments and questions on my collection of writing tips blog posts. One of the reoccurring question is how I manage to keep my blog, organized and filled with enough material. Well, it isn’t easy, but I will let you in on a few of my secrets:

1. I write a lot of really crappy stuff. If you read some of the posts that I created as drafts that never saw the light, you’d be flabbergasted. I certainly am when I look back at it… but some of my best posts (ABC’s of creativity and 4 people in your life that can make you more creative) came from really awful first, second and third drafts. I think I worked on both of those articles for over 2 weeks before they were actually posted.

2. I keep a notepad, pen or my Blackberry (which has a note feature) on hand at all times. I’m hoping to add a tool like this voice to text recorder to my arsenal as well… I can not even try to count the times we have been at dinner, or I have been falling asleep, and thought of a great idea. They all go into my BB or into my notepad. Half of them never see the light of day again, but a few have become really killer posts.

3. I don’t believe in mistakes. I don’t believe in ‘bad topics’. I don’t believe in ‘too out there’. At least not on the first draft of anything. Many people have read the first draft of something I write and have commented on spelling errors, grammar mistakes, etc. Damn right there are! Because I use my creativity and my freedom to just start writing…I clean it up later.

4.  I use (and passionately love) Outlook. It’s where I read my rss feeds, and where I manage my calendar, my email and my clients calendars. There are so many things that I can do in Outlook that help me to manage blogs…honestly, “it slices, it dices, it julianes…”. There is nothing I need that Outlook can’t handle. It has taken me almost a year to get it exactly how I want and working like clockwork, but now, I couldn’t live without it.

5. I forget business. Many writers and bloggers I know talk about all the great business blogs and books they read. They rave about how they changed their lives and that those were what made them better writers. While I don’t disagree with reading business blogs and books (I read quite a few), I also put a lot of stock in reading blogs and books purely for fun. Different writing styles are what make you improve! If all you ever read what marketing/sales/business writing styles, that would be all you ever knew. Reading short, snappy comedic writing and passionate romance writing is what gives my writing more spice. It’s what lets me start a sentence with And, and end it with a preposition.

I also use these same techniques as a blog manager for my clients. It is time consuming, and a lot of work, but it is what makes the difference between words on a page and content people will read. It is what makes your blog worth reading.

How do you manage your writing? What works for you?

There are hundred’s of rules in writing.

1. Don’t start a sentence with ‘and’.
2. Write in complete sentences.
3. Stories must have a beginning, middle and an end.
4. Use the active voice unless you absolutely need to use the passive.
5. Omit unnecessary words.
6. Don’t end a sentence In a proposition.

But what happened to “be creative”? Shouldn’t that be the #1 writing rule?

I know what you’re thinking: “Not everything can be creative, Kirsten. There are some topics that are just too droll to be creative.”

Bulls*it. If it’s not creative, it’s not worth writing.

EVERYTHING can be creative, we just often forget what that means.

By definition:
Creative –adjective
1. having the quality or power of creating.
2. resulting from originality of thought, expression, etc.; imaginative: creative writing.
3. originative; productive (usually fol. by of).

Now tell me something that can’t be creative. I’m waiting…

Exactly.

Regardless of the topic, everything you write can be (and should be!) creative.
Thoughts?