Going from the known to the unknown is frightening. It’s to walk to the very edge of the cliff face and peer over the edge. You can feel the ground beneath your feet, and it rises toward you, sure and strong. You also can feel the wind currents swirling in front of you and know you’re supposed to step into them. You’re supposed to set yourself free.
Archives for January 2014
Honor amongst Thieves
Thieves and pirates often live by some sort of code. Robin Hood, whose identity as a thief is somewhat questionable, had a code: steal from the rich and give to the poor. Pirates also had a sort of code; at least, the pirates in Pirates of the Caribbean had a code even if nobody followed it precisely (I know that puts the code itself in question. Let’s not get into the details of said pirates being fictitious characters.).
How to Make a Thing Easier to Do
If you don’t know it’s impossible, it’s easier to do. Neil Gaiman, “Make Good Art”
If you intend to write and publish a book, you have given yourself an immense challenge. You might think it’s impossible to do. You must not think that. If you hope to make your intention a reality, you must view it as something that is possible.
A New Adventure Begins: Tenacity5 Media
On February 10, 2014, I start a new adventure: I’ll be the director of editorial services at Tenacity5 Media. I can’t wait! I’ve already worked with my future boss on some freelance projects, and I wholeheartedly support Tenacity5’s five maxims.
Write Right: Its and It’s
It’s no wonder that “its” and “it’s” are mistaken for one another. Both are spelled with the same letters and look similar in appearance except for the all-important apostrophe. The misuse usually is due to hasty proofreading; spellcheck and grammar check often are of no avail when trying to find the mistaken “its” or “it’s.”
Write First. Edit Later.
Numerous years of writing academic papers, essays, poems, blog posts, white papers, et cetera, have taught an important lesson: write first and edit later. The initial words must flow. They cannot and should be stopped. They should not be weeded or burned before they come to fruition. They and their weedy counterparts have to go a little wild at first so that the right and good words can be discerned and put to use.