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3 Things Brussels Sprouts Taught Me About Writing

10/1/2019

Photo of Brussels Sprouts with Blog Title

It was the third round of editing on a piece I was writing about the autumn harvest. It was all about the kale, collards, squash, and Brussels sprouts. The problem was, I had it all wrong.

Instead of Brussels sprouts, I was writing brussel sprouts. No capital B at the beginning, no s on the end of Brussels.

I'd cooked and eaten lots of Brussels sprouts, but clearly I'd never written about them.

Lesson #1: Proper names have proper spellings.
When a red line appeared below the misspelled "brussel," I was surprised. So I checked the dictionary.

I found the correct spelling: capital B and an s at the end. A capital B? A bit more digging revealed the name comes from the city of Brussels, in Belgium.

Wholly cabbage.

Unless you're certain about the correct spelling of a product, a city, a town, someone's name, title, or product, look it up.

That was last year. This year, I have another editing tip courtesy of the Brussels sprout.

Last week I was watching a cooking show when the chef introduced a new segment by saying, "Today we're making Brussels sprouts."

Lesson #2: Ask yourself, "Is that what's really going on?"
Of course the chef wouldn't be "making" Brussels sprouts, as in constructing or creating them. He would be cooking them. Or, maybe he'd be roasting them.

In the context of the show, it didn't matter much. It was a live taping and viewers could watch and listen.

But his word choice caught my ear. I've been writing a lot and that means I'm rewriting and editing a lot.

I wanted to edit the script, to rewind the tape and have the chef say, "Today we're roasting Brussels sprouts."

Roasting is a more descriptive word. Making is vague and in this example, inaccurate.

Every word has a purpose.

Lesson #3: Just because you're familiar with something doesn't mean you know all you need to know.

It turns out eating Brussels sprouts didn't make me an expert. From misspellings to context and relevance, it's important to know what you're writing about. Do some research. Dig around. What you find may surprise you.

Get Your Cabbage On
Are you a fan? Brussels sprouts with a capital B offer a boost of vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K. And they're good for gut health, too.

The only question is, how will you cook them?

Feeling the heat?
If you don't like to write, are feeling overwhelmed, or just need a fresh set of eyes to read through what you written, let me know. I can help with:

editing
writing
content development
project management
websites
legacy books
magazines

Call 207-252-9757 or write today for a free consultation.

A Fowl Approach to Writing Well When Words Fail You

9/5/2019

Love It or Hate It
Whether or not you like to write, it seems most of us have to do some sort of writing at some point.

Email is ever-present, websites are all about content, content, content, and blogs can challenge the best of us.

Getting Started
When I'm struggling to begin a new writing project, big or small, I remind myself that getting something down on paper is a good first step. It can be an outline, a summary, or a list. Something, anything to get me started.

When Things Get Fuzzy
After two, three, or four rounds of writing, editing, and rewriting, things can get fuzzy. Overwhelm sets in and I'm burdened by the order of things. I worry about what it is I'm trying say, how much to say, and how to say it.

That's when I revisit one of these books:

• Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott
• Writing Well, William Zinsser
• Words Fail Me, Patricia T. O'Conner

Revisiting them reminds me what it takes to write well.

• In Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott, reminds me that I just need to start. Forget about word choice and form. Just write.

• On Writing Well by William Zinsser reminds me that good writing is all about rewriting and clearing the clutter.

• Words Fail Me is funny. Patricia T. O'Conner reminds me that each sentence has a job to do, that clarity is paramount, and it's OK to lighten up a bit.

I've read each one of these books cover to cover, many times. But it's hard to remember it all. When my writing gets the best of me, I grab one, read a chapter or two, take a deep breath, and get back to writing.

Writing Is Hard
If you don't like to write, are feeling overwhelmed, or just need a fresh set of eyes to read through what you've written, I can help:

• writing
• editing
• content development

If I can help, call 207-252-9757 or write today for a free consultation.

And stay tuned. I've got a new book in the works. Here's a hint:

Panting Dogs and Misconceptions

8/7/2019

I don't know about you, but I always thought The Dog Days of Summer were those days when it's so hot, all the dogs are panting.

Well, the heat does make them, and most of us, pant. But that's not where the name comes from.

Unexpected Insights
No, the term comes from ancient forecasters and astrologers who noticed the seasonal alignment of the Sun and Sirius (the Dog Star constellation). They believed the combination generated more heat and called the stretch between July 3 and August 11, The Dog Days of Summer.

My curiosity about The Dog Days of Summer started with the August edition of my Riddle Me Mail project. I was searching for a theme and decided to go with what I thought I knew about The Dog Days of Summer.

Connecting the Dots
So why do The Dog Days of Summer matter? They're a good example of how often we think we know something, but don't know the whole story.

How one thought leads to another, and how unexpected connections can generate new interest in a familiar topic.

Share What You Know
When it came time to design the stationery for Riddle Me Mail, I settled on postcards and decided to share what I'd learned, adding information about Canis Major, the constellation that features the Dog Star, Sirius.

I also learned that Sirius is the brightest star in the sky, not the North Star. Did you know that?

What About Your Business?
What information could you share or clarify? Is there a backstory about your business or products people would find interesting?

Are there ways you might simplify your message?

Could you present it in a new format or context that would generate new interest?

If I can help, let me know.

We design and edit websites, books, and presentations.

A 3-Course Cook-Off and Why Lists Make Good Content

7/24/2019

There’s a reason you see so many lists online.

They’re easy to share and easy to skim, and that makes great content for your website or blog.

The KEY to a good list though, is making it interesting and helpful. It doesn’t do any good if your list repeats common knowledge, or leaves people wondering how to do what you suggest.

With our 3-Course Cook-Off And Other Things to Do On A Rainy Day, we illustrate just how you can build an interesting and helpful list. Click here or on the image above read the three things to do on a rainy day.

At Composition 1206, we are information architects. If you have information to share and want to be sure it reads well and makes you proud we can help. Let’s talk!

We design and edit:
websites • books • presentations

Build A Better Website - Time for A Once-Over?

6/6/2019

5 Ways to Build a Better Website
You've got a website and it's been up for a while, but is it as good as it could be?

1. Take Another Look
If your website is more than a couple of years old, it may be time to consider how well it’s working for you.

Design
There are lots of templates, designers, and web developers out there, some better than others. Take a critical look at your site. Does it inspire confidence? Is your information up to date?

Do you have large blocks of text that read more like a novel than a website?
Writing for the web is different than other forms of writing. Short paragraphs, headlines, bullets, numbered lists, and highlighted text are effective tools for keeping your audience engaged. (This article is a good example.) People like to skim and then go deeper. Make it easy for them.

Does your site feature a dark background? Though it can be striking to have a dark background, it makes reading difficult. And that means people will stop reading before they finish learning more about how you can help them.

2. Is It All About You? It Shouldn't Be.
Do you welcome visitors with a line that's all about them ... or is it all about you?

Sure, your website is about you, but when people visit they're thinking about themselves and how you can help them. Your landing page should start with sentences like, "We help YOU...," sentences that make people feel welcome and let them know right away what you can do for them.

Sentences like, "WE have 25 years of experience ...," or "WE'RE the best ..." belong on your about page.

Who you are, your background, your years of service, it's all important information. But it's information people want only after they know how you can help them.

3. Use Your Expertise
When someone comes to your site they’re looking for information, hoping to be inspired. Make it interesting. Aside from the usual menu items (home/about/contact), what else can you offer? Maybe you could consider a blog or special features:

Blogs
Blogs are great if you commit to posting regularly, but clearly not for everyone or every business. If you have a blog and the last post is from over a year ago (or, gasp, three or four years ago), you might consider taking it down. Or, breathing new life into it.

Special Features. Consider features like how-to articles, a behind-the-scenes segment, staff profiles, infographics, and updated photographs.

Regular updates can also help with search engine results. Turns out a stale website is, well, stale. New information garners attention and boosts your ranking.

4. Share What You Know
If you have how-to information, a special edition poster, infographic, a report, an ebook or print edition, promote it on other social media platforms as well.

You can also consider sharing what you know for a fee or by subscription. You have information people want and need. Position yourself as an expert and distribute and sell what you know.

5. Stay In Touch
Email remains one of the best ways to connect with customers and associates. Consider a monthly newsletter delivered by email.

You can build your email list by offering something in exchange for contact information. Something like an ebook, a top five list of something relevant, or a discount for services or products.

Use the content you develop on your blog or with specials features for your newsletter. As you build your email list, you'll be helping others by sharing what you know and building your reputation as an expert in your field.

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Is it time to refresh your website?
Call or write today to learn more about making your website the best it can be.

Stand Out ... for the Right Reasons

5/6/2019

Online, on paper, and behind the podium.

Good Design Matters
The demand for online content and presentation graphics continues to grow. Done right, it can elevate a business and bolster credibility.

Done poorly, it does the opposite.

Bad design is not only distracting and often confusing, it can sometimes hurt your business. You need to stand out ... for the right reasons.

We make you look good. From figuring out just what it is you need to say to finding the right words and images to make it interesting, we've got the ideas and experience to make it happen.

Call or write today and we'll help you look good in print ... online and on paper.

A Bloomin' Case for Good Design

4/4/2019

Stiff Competition
When you post or distribute new information, you're competing with a slew others doing the same.

How can you stand out?
With good writing and well-designed materials that demand attention.

Below is a side by side case study using information about the crocus. There are, of course, lots of ways it could be done. This is one way.

People Need More Than Just the Facts
Good design, like a road map, helps your audience navigate the information you present, drawing their attention to what you want them to see, read, and understand about you, your business, and your product.

My job is help you look good in print ... online and on paper.

Call today: 207-252-9757 or write today to talk about your latest project.

Websites • Books • Reports • Catalogs • and More!

Publishing Your Own Content? 3 Reasons Font Choice Matters

3/21/2019

I'm the first to admit to a little DIY plumbing. I've changed a washer on the bathroom faucet and replaced the hoses on the washing machine. But, when it comes to replacing the seal on the toilet or installing a new garbage disposal, I call the professionals.

DIY publishing and graphic design is easier than ever, and chances are, you publish a lot of your own content.

A critical element in content design, and one that's often misunderstood, is font choice. There are so many to choose from and it's tempting to use too many, or the wrong ones.

Here are some tips to choosing the right fonts that will help you attract and keep your reader's attention:

Display fonts are the fancy, decorative styles, and they should be used sparingly. Just a few words. Really. Maybe a headline. Well, maybe not. Definitely not for sentences or paragraphs. They are just too hard to read. Go easy on these. Too much of a good thing is, well, too much. I used a display font above ... for one number and two words. Just two. And it works. Any more than that and it becomes difficult to read.

These are the fonts that have little bits at the ends and tips of the letters; fonts like Times, Goudy, and Garamond. These are great for long passages of text, for books, and reports. They also add a warmer feel to your text. If you're writing a book, be sure to set the text in a serif font. It's easier to read and will look more professional. Not sure about that? Grab a few books from the bookshelf and see what style fonts are used.

These are straight-up fonts, no embellishment, no little bits at the ends or tips of the letters. Helvetica and Arial are common san serif fonts. You’ll see a lot of san serif fonts on the web. They can be easier to read online for blog posts and on your about page, but again, if you have a lot of text or long passages, consider a serif font. Something like Georgia is great for online reading.

Two things to remember.
1) Make it Easy to Read
Your text needs to be easy to read. If it’s not, people will abandon what you've written and your message will be lost.

- Use display fonts sparingly.

- Choose serif fonts for longer passages and a softer, more welcoming feel.

- Use sans serif fonts for shorter entries, technical writing, instructions, and headlines.

2) Use The Two Font Rule
What is the two font rule? Use only one or two fonts on any document, report, or page. Sure, you can use the italic and bold features within the same font and you can combine it with a display font, but that’s it. Any more than that and you risk losing your reader. Too many fonts distract the eye and make it difficult to follow.

I'm here to help. If you're too busy to worry about font choice, content design and editing, send an email, or give me a call. I'd love to help out.

Making you look good in print, online and on paper.

Legacy Books • Presentations
Infographics • Magazines
Annual Reports • Invitations

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How's That Book Coming?

2/19/2019

Writing a book is no easy feat. It's an ambitious task and it takes time, a lot of time. There's the writing, rewriting, editing, and proofing. And when the writing is done, there's the design and layout. What do you want your book to look like?

The design and layout of your book can be as important as what you've written.

Why's that? If it's hard to read or lacks a professional look and feel, you'll lose your readers before they get to the first chapter.

Let me help.

Get the 5 Reasons

Together, we'll make your book read well and look good. From creative page designs to illustrations, photos, pullouts, and sidebars, we'll make your book a real page turner.

• illustrated biographies
• reference books
• manuals
• corporate histories

Get the 5 Compelling Reasons to Write That Book

Call, text (207.252.9757), or write today, for a free consultation to see how I can help make you look good in print.

It's Your Legacy, Put It to Work

1/7/2019

People love stories and you've got a good one.
Put it into words and make it last.

5 Ways to Tell Your Story:
1. Infographics
2. How-to Materials
3. Conference and Event Programs
4. Yearbooks and Corporate History Books
5. Illustrated Timelines

Download the 5 Ways

Posting you story on your website is a great start, but it's not a permanent record. Websites are fluid. Create a lasting record of your achievements online and on paper.

We’ll help! Because while putting your legacy into words sounds like a good idea,
it also sounds like a lot of work.

That’s where we come in.

From generating ideas to combing through archives, our experience with project management, writing, editing, and graphic design will streamline the process for you.

Call or write today. It’s your legacy, let's put it into words.

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