You can now find the Writing With Rose blog and all the resources you've enjoyed here at GetGreatResults.com!
Look for great tips and techniques along with coaching and instruction programs to boost your writing goals.
I look forward to helping you Get Great Results!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Answers Revealed With Writing From Source
Enlightening! Life-changing! Revealing! Calming!
These are just some of the words participants are using to describe their Writing from Source experience.
Each session of the "Survive the Holidays" free teleseminar series stands alone. So jump right in, join one of the calls and experience the power of Writing from Source firsthand. (BTW, you don't have to be a "writer" to benefit from this process.)
It just takes a minute to register for Survive the Angst, Stress and Sadness of the Holiday Season With the Guidance and Solutions Revealed When Writing from Source. Come join us any of the remaining Tuesdays in December.
These are just some of the words participants are using to describe their Writing from Source experience.
Each session of the "Survive the Holidays" free teleseminar series stands alone. So jump right in, join one of the calls and experience the power of Writing from Source firsthand. (BTW, you don't have to be a "writer" to benefit from this process.)
It just takes a minute to register for Survive the Angst, Stress and Sadness of the Holiday Season With the Guidance and Solutions Revealed When Writing from Source. Come join us any of the remaining Tuesdays in December.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Add Clarity to Your Writing With Specific Nouns
Which word grabs your attention—car or Corvette? Each of these words is a noun. Each falls into the same category, in this case, vehicle. Yet you were drawn to one over the other.
Most likely, Corvette caught your attention. Unlike the word car, you could see an image of the Corvette in your mind’s eye. Possibly you ran your hands along its smooth finish, slid into the driver’s seat, turned the ignition key and heard the engine purr when you pressed the accelerator. You saw, felt and heard all of that just by reading one word—Corvette.
In comparison, the word car probably created a gray image with little definition. Emotional responses were few or none.
Why the difference? Car is a general noun. Corvette is a specific noun. While a general noun represents a broad category of persons, places or things, a specific noun represents one item within a category. The more details used to describe a noun, the easier it is to envision it—and to experience it.
Here are a few general nouns followed by specific nouns in the same category.
Nation: England, India, Namibia
Dog: poodle, Labrador, Chihuahua
Child: toddler, teenager, infant
Building: barn, skyscraper, chalet
Dinner: lasagna, ribs, trout
Each of these specific nouns creates a detailed image that the reader can see and possibly hear, smell, feel or taste. They also evoke memories, dreams and emotions. When you use them, you enrich your writing and the reader’s experience.
Here are some simple steps to help you improve your writing with specific nouns.
1. Scan through your draft and circle each noun (person, place or thing).
2. Read your draft out loud and when you come to a noun, envision the image you intended.
3. Ask yourself, does this noun show what I, the writer, see in my mind’s eye?
4. If it does, great. If not, ask yourself, what nouns could I use? Make a list.
5. Say each of the nouns in your list out loud. Which one best describes what you see in your mind’s eye?
6. When you have a selected a specific noun, read the sentence using it and ask yourself, is this the best noun I can choose?
7. Continue this process until you feel comfortable with your choice.
Remember, the goal is to both provide the reader a rewarding experience and get your writing out into the world. Do this exercise purposefully, but avoid falling into the perfection trap. When you sense you have chosen the best specific noun at this time, stop doing the exercise.
The act of doing this simple exercise helps you clarify what you want the reader to experience and which specific nouns describe it effectively. As your writing becomes more descriptive, it becomes more engaging and informative. Both you and the reader benefit!
Most likely, Corvette caught your attention. Unlike the word car, you could see an image of the Corvette in your mind’s eye. Possibly you ran your hands along its smooth finish, slid into the driver’s seat, turned the ignition key and heard the engine purr when you pressed the accelerator. You saw, felt and heard all of that just by reading one word—Corvette.
In comparison, the word car probably created a gray image with little definition. Emotional responses were few or none.
Why the difference? Car is a general noun. Corvette is a specific noun. While a general noun represents a broad category of persons, places or things, a specific noun represents one item within a category. The more details used to describe a noun, the easier it is to envision it—and to experience it.
Here are a few general nouns followed by specific nouns in the same category.
Nation: England, India, Namibia
Dog: poodle, Labrador, Chihuahua
Child: toddler, teenager, infant
Building: barn, skyscraper, chalet
Dinner: lasagna, ribs, trout
Each of these specific nouns creates a detailed image that the reader can see and possibly hear, smell, feel or taste. They also evoke memories, dreams and emotions. When you use them, you enrich your writing and the reader’s experience.
Here are some simple steps to help you improve your writing with specific nouns.
1. Scan through your draft and circle each noun (person, place or thing).
2. Read your draft out loud and when you come to a noun, envision the image you intended.
3. Ask yourself, does this noun show what I, the writer, see in my mind’s eye?
4. If it does, great. If not, ask yourself, what nouns could I use? Make a list.
5. Say each of the nouns in your list out loud. Which one best describes what you see in your mind’s eye?
6. When you have a selected a specific noun, read the sentence using it and ask yourself, is this the best noun I can choose?
7. Continue this process until you feel comfortable with your choice.
Remember, the goal is to both provide the reader a rewarding experience and get your writing out into the world. Do this exercise purposefully, but avoid falling into the perfection trap. When you sense you have chosen the best specific noun at this time, stop doing the exercise.
The act of doing this simple exercise helps you clarify what you want the reader to experience and which specific nouns describe it effectively. As your writing becomes more descriptive, it becomes more engaging and informative. Both you and the reader benefit!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Improve Your Writing With Specific Action Verbs
General verbs like see, walk and run have their place in preschool books. But after that, they lose their effectiveness.
When you write, use verbs that describe the specific action that is happening. General verbs like walk require each reader to interpret what the action looks like. In contrast, specific action verbs help your readers envision the action that you—the writer—want them to see. You create and control the mood, tone, pulse and rhythm of your writing simply with the verbs you choose.
For example, read through the following sentences:
Mary skipped into the store.
Mary shuffled into the store.
Mary strutted into the store.
Each sentence evokes a different image. By changing only one word—the verb—the action dramatically changes. Your prose comes alive! When Mary skips, your readers see her skipping. As a result, you exert more control over your reader’s experience. And your reader finds the writing more engaging.
Here are some simple steps to help you ensure you use specific action verbs.
1. As you read through your draft, circle each verb.
2. Read your draft out loud and when you come to a verb, envision the action you intended.
3. Ask yourself, does this verb show what I, the writer, see in my mind’s eye?
4. If it does, great. If not, ask yourself, what verbs could I use? Then make a list of the best ones.
5. Read the sentence using each of the verbs. Which verb most closely portrays what you see in your mind’s eye?
6. When you have selected a verb, read the sentence using this verb and ask yourself, is this the best verb I can choose?
7. Continue this process until you feel you've made a great choice.
Remember, this is not about perfection. If you search for the "perfect" verb, your writing will never make it into the world. However, when you go through this simple exercise, you will spice up your writing and increase your reader’s appreciation of what you have written.
When you write, use verbs that describe the specific action that is happening. General verbs like walk require each reader to interpret what the action looks like. In contrast, specific action verbs help your readers envision the action that you—the writer—want them to see. You create and control the mood, tone, pulse and rhythm of your writing simply with the verbs you choose.
For example, read through the following sentences:
Mary skipped into the store.
Mary shuffled into the store.
Mary strutted into the store.
Each sentence evokes a different image. By changing only one word—the verb—the action dramatically changes. Your prose comes alive! When Mary skips, your readers see her skipping. As a result, you exert more control over your reader’s experience. And your reader finds the writing more engaging.
Here are some simple steps to help you ensure you use specific action verbs.
1. As you read through your draft, circle each verb.
2. Read your draft out loud and when you come to a verb, envision the action you intended.
3. Ask yourself, does this verb show what I, the writer, see in my mind’s eye?
4. If it does, great. If not, ask yourself, what verbs could I use? Then make a list of the best ones.
5. Read the sentence using each of the verbs. Which verb most closely portrays what you see in your mind’s eye?
6. When you have selected a verb, read the sentence using this verb and ask yourself, is this the best verb I can choose?
7. Continue this process until you feel you've made a great choice.
Remember, this is not about perfection. If you search for the "perfect" verb, your writing will never make it into the world. However, when you go through this simple exercise, you will spice up your writing and increase your reader’s appreciation of what you have written.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Writing from Source - Review of Inaugual Day Sessions
What do you call the power within you? I use the all-encompassing word "Source" -- hence the name for the writing process I use to tap into it, Writing from Source.
During the inaugural day of the Writing from Source free teleseminar series (November 16), participants shared what they call their power and where they "feel" that power in their bodies.
Some of those names were Instinct, Inner Guide and Strength. Not everyone had a clear sense of where their power resides in their body. But several people felt their power in their heart area. Where is your power located in your body?
Would you like to tap into your power for guidance and solutions? Come join the Survive the Holidays free Writing from Source teleseminar series every Tuesday. The sessions are complimentary. All you need to do is REGISTER.
During the inaugural day of the Writing from Source free teleseminar series (November 16), participants shared what they call their power and where they "feel" that power in their bodies.
Some of those names were Instinct, Inner Guide and Strength. Not everyone had a clear sense of where their power resides in their body. But several people felt their power in their heart area. Where is your power located in your body?
Would you like to tap into your power for guidance and solutions? Come join the Survive the Holidays free Writing from Source teleseminar series every Tuesday. The sessions are complimentary. All you need to do is REGISTER.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Get Guidance and Reveal Solutions By Writing from Source
A power rests within each of us. When we tap into this power, answers to our questions and solutions to our problems become revealed. I use writing to tap into this power.
Through my years of journaling, I have called this power by different names. Intuition. Muse. Inner Voice. Inner Guide The Universe. Spirit. God. Creative Genius. You may call your power by yet another name.
The word that I find all-encompassing is Source. When I am tapping into the power within me through writing, I call that process Writing from Source. And it’s amazing!
While writing from source, I use a variety of approaches. Sometimes I converse with Source. Other times I follow prescribed exercises to reveal insights that lead to guidance, understanding and solutions. Whatever the approach, Writing from Source always brings me peace of mind.
During this holiday season, I am sharing Writing from Source with all who care to discover its benefits through a free teleseminar series. This is a time of year when so many of us face challenging situations around money, loss, melancholy, relationships and obligations. You can get guidance on how to move through these issues through Writing from Source.
Come join me on Tuesdays November 16 through December 28 and Survive the Angst, Stress and Sadness of the Holiday Season with the Guidance and Solutions Revealed When Writing from Source. Attend all the Tuesdays you can.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Writer's Block Is A Cop-out!
Writers have bemoaned writer's block for decades. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines writer's block as "a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece."
I say writer's block is cop-out. It is simply an excuse for resisting the creative process at hand. Yes, we can stall out. Yes, our creative juices can run dry. Yes, fears and thoughts of "not being good enough" can stop us dead in our tracks. But we can choose whether we give into these obstacles or take action to move beyond them.
The key is to move! Go for a walk. Do a puzzle. Play some music. Dance. Motion shakes things up, stirs new thoughts, taps into other perspectives. It gives your creativity a chance to play.
Then sit back down and write! Write everything and anything that pops into your head. Eventually the words will lead back to the writing you were engaged in. And your creativity will flow once again.
You can wallow in the victim's role of writer's block. Or you can embrace writing fears and obstacles as messages to take a break, let your creativity play and then get back into writing.
I say writer's block is cop-out. It is simply an excuse for resisting the creative process at hand. Yes, we can stall out. Yes, our creative juices can run dry. Yes, fears and thoughts of "not being good enough" can stop us dead in our tracks. But we can choose whether we give into these obstacles or take action to move beyond them.
The key is to move! Go for a walk. Do a puzzle. Play some music. Dance. Motion shakes things up, stirs new thoughts, taps into other perspectives. It gives your creativity a chance to play.
Then sit back down and write! Write everything and anything that pops into your head. Eventually the words will lead back to the writing you were engaged in. And your creativity will flow once again.
You can wallow in the victim's role of writer's block. Or you can embrace writing fears and obstacles as messages to take a break, let your creativity play and then get back into writing.
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