Shakespeare’s Guide to Making Up Words
Adulting… Friending… Googling… What do these things have in common? They all started out as nouns but have become commonly used verbs. While this “fad” of verbing nouns may seem like a recent phenomenon, according to this great article from copyblogger, the art of turning verbs into nouns dates all the way back to Shakesperean times. And this article from S...
September 6, 2024 READ MORE
Could the Ballpark Organ Be the Secret Cure for Writer’s Block?
Ever wondered if the soothing strains of a baseball organ could cure writer's block? That's exactly the question that came to TWFH writer, Barbara Adams', mind when she was at a Houston Astros game in June. The whimsical and nostalgic music of the ballpark organ has been a beloved feature of America's pastime for over 80 years, and it turns out that its melodic charm h...
August 27, 2024 READ MORE
The Charm of Dad Jokes: Why We Love to Laugh and Groan at the Silly Jokes They Write
Dad jokes are infamous for their groan-inducing puns and predictable punchlines. These jokes are often seen as corny but endearing, embodying a type of humor that is both terrible and hilarious. But have you ever wondered where the term, “dad jokes” came from? And why these punny jokes make us laugh so much? According to this article from Seattle Times, the term ...
August 22, 2024 READ MORE
25 Unbelievable Roadside Attractions to See Before Summer Ends
As the summer comes to an end, some of you may be considering a last hurrah road trip before the hustle and bustle of fall begins. Well, lucky for you, we have found a great article from explore.com with 25 Weird Roadside Attractions You Need To See To Believe. As writers with a flair for creativity, we think Cano’s Castle — a castle-like tower art installation in A...
August 20, 2024 READ MORE
From Inbox Overload to Newsletter Podcast Perfection
Do you ever feel like you’re drowning in email newsletters? Well, fear no more! This great article from GeekWire explains how a former Alexa engineer has solved the newsletter problem by using AI to turn content into daily podcasts. Pierson Marks, who previously worked on Alexa voice services at Amazon, left his position to pursue his passion for voice technology and ...
August 8, 2024 READ MORE
The Strange Story of the CIA’s Acoustic Kitty: A Feline Spy That Never Was
If you’re a cat enthusiast, like many members of our TWFH family, thoughts of your cat’s possible future as a CIA spy may have crossed your mind at one time or another. Although the infamous white Persian cat from James Bond films is often the feline most associated with espionage, the real-life tale of a spy cat is even more intriguing. This great article from H...
August 6, 2024 READ MORE
Life on the Prairie: Stories from a One-Person Town
How would you like to live in a place so secluded that your only neighbors are the tumbleweeds? In this article from The Eater (shared by our fearless leader, Wintress Odom), the author, Kieran Dahl, tells the astonishing story of a woman who has a whole town to herself. Monowi, Nebraska, is a unique town with a population of just one. Situated in Boyd County, this t...
August 1, 2024 READ MORE
Balancing the Buzz: How Much Caffeine is Too Much?
We don't know about you, but as writers, coffee is a must-have part of our day! We can't help but wonder, though, if our morning caffeine ritual is doing more harm than good. In a recent blog post from The Takeout (shared by TWFH writer, Flori Meeks) the author, Lauren Harkawik, reflects on her long-standing caffeine consumption that routinely includes four cups of coff...
July 30, 2024 READ MORE
Four Ways to Recover an Unsaved Word File
One of the worst things that could ever happen to a writer is losing their work. The moments of sheer horror that follow the loss of an unsaved word file are unfathomable. Think about it. Imagine working hard on a nonfiction book project. Then, suddenly, the computer screen goes blank. All that hard work vaporized in a few seconds. Sadly, this situation is far mor...
May 7, 2024 READ MORE
Nine Delightful Gifts for Writers in Your Life
Would you like to see your favorite writer wordless, at least for a moment? This holiday season is your opportunity. Writers have their own special wishes. Make one or more of those come true this year, with gifts to equip and inspire them or enhance their workspaces. There’s something here for every budget, from the least to the most lavish. 1. “Caution” Door...
December 5, 2023 READ MORE
9 Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About Thanksgiving
It’s that time of year again! Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. While you’re getting ready to gather with your loved ones, we thought it would be fun to share some interesting Thanksgiving trivia with you and give you some fun facts to share around the dinner table. So, read on—and be sure to take notes, so you can impress your family with your amazing Thank...
November 17, 2023 READ MORE
Nine Delightful Gifts for Writers in Your Life
Would you like to see your favorite writer wordless, at least for a moment? This holiday season is your opportunity. Writers have their own special wishes. Make one or more of those come true this year, with gifts to equip and inspire them or enhance their workspaces. There’s something here for every budget, from the least to the most lavish. 1. “Caution” door...
November 11, 2022 READ MORE
Celebrating 10 Years With TWFH’s Erin Larson
10 years ago, an online “want ad" grabbed the attention of Wisconsin-based writer and editor, Erin Larson. Little did she know, her decision to respond to the ad would eventually propel her into a fascinating new career with an up-and-coming writing agency. In celebration of her decade anniversary with The Writers For Hire, we sat down with Erin reflect on the past 10...
November 4, 2022 READ MORE
Of all the world’s most dangerous professions, writer is probably not anywhere close to the top of the list. That being said, there are some pretty hazardous things that we writers do that can be harmful to our wellbeing. Our eyesight is a prime example of something that is greatly affected by our profession. According to this article from Craft Your Content, ...
September 16, 2022 READ MORE
A Peek Inside the Incredible Minds of Multilinguals
Having the ability to fluently speak more than one language comes with a lot of advantages. But how, exactly, do multilinguals manage to flip from one language to another without getting thoroughly confused? According to a fantastic article shared by TWFH writer, Barbara Adams, research has shown that when a person who is multilingual speaks, all of the languages they k...
August 12, 2022 READ MORE
The Great English Plurals Debate
The other day, I overheard my kids having a passionate debate about the plural of “octopus.” My son insisted that the correct word was “octopi,” while my daughter argued that it was actually “octopuses.” This debate brought to mind an article that TWFH’s Office Manager, Kathy Rinchuiso, recently shared with us about the general rules of pluralization in th...
August 1, 2022 READ MORE
The Writers For Hire’s Top Microsoft Word Tips
We at The Writers For Hire have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Microsoft Word. On one hand, it really is the best word processing software around. On the other hand, the formatting issues we sometimes run into are enough to drive even the most even-tempered of us mad. Luckily, though, we have each learned some great tricks to make Word much easier to work wit...
July 25, 2022 READ MORE
Fantastic Words That Are Their Own Autonyms
[block_imgwrap_per conper="70" content="It’s a well-known fact that English is a complicated language. To begin with, we have a bunch of words that have different meanings and spellings, but are pronounced the same, such as there, their, and they’re. We also have a ton of words with silent letters, like neighbor, sign, thought, and gnome. In addition, there ar...
July 20, 2022 READ MORE
How To Become a Great Self-Editor: 7 Questions To Improve Your Writing
We’ve said it before, and we’ll probably say it again: Editing is an essential part of the writing process. Every writer -- from the bestselling novelist to the complete novice -- can benefit from a thorough review by a critical, impartial eye. Of course, it’s hard to be critical and impartial about your own work. This is also true for every writer, which is why ...
July 15, 2022 READ MORE
Can You Really Master a Language in Just One Week?
If you could have any super power in the world, what would it be? For me, it would be the ability to converse in any language. Can you imagine how amazing that would be?!? Of course, in reality, learning a new language is no easy feat. According to the Foreign Service Institute, it takes the average person 24-30 weeks of full-time study to reach a basic level of prof...
June 29, 2022 READ MORE
The Manuscript Writing Cafe: Headquarters For Writers on a Deadline
Have you ever had a strict writing deadline for a project, but found it difficult to just sit down and get it done? With so many constant distractions, finding the focus needed to meet deadlines can feel like a never-ending struggle. However, in Tokyo, Japan, they have found the perfect solution! Located in the Bohemian Koenji district, the Manuscript Writing Café serv...
June 6, 2022 READ MORE
5 Ways Using Active Voice Will Improve Your Writing
The English language has two “voices” used in speaking and writing. It is quite common to hear references to these voices, but what do they truly mean? And when should each voice be used? What is voice? English uses the term “voice” to refer to the connection between the subject and the object of a sentence. This connection is possible through the use of ...
May 30, 2022 READ MORE
3 Great Online Dictionaries for Writers
It’s no secret that we writers love good words. After all, putting words together in an elegant fashion is what we do. Given our affinity for the written language, it should come as no surprise that we frequently geek out over fun new dictionaries, thesauruses, and encyclopedias. Recently, a few of our writers shared some awesome online dictionaries that they stumbled...
May 27, 2022 READ MORE
The Power of Positivity in Our Writing
We’ve all likely heard the saying, “positivity breeds positivity.” And many of us have probably witnessed evidence of its truth in our own lives. But positivity does much more than just spreading positive thoughts. In fact, a study done by Harvard Business Review found that people with positive outlooks are overall more successful (and happy) than their pes...
May 18, 2022 READ MORE
What Makes a Book Cover Iconic?
The saying goes “don’t judge a book by its cover.” But let’s be honest… we’ve all done it. If you’re browsing the shelves of the local bookstore, there are certain book covers that simply jump out and grab your attention more than others. There are also book covers that can easily be recognized by almost anyone, regardless of whether or not they have read ...
May 9, 2022 READ MORE
Overcoming Writer’s Block: 7 Great Tips for Getting Over the Hill
“It’s not the fear of writing that blocks people. It’s fear of not writing well; something quite different.” — Scott Berkun All writers inevitably face the dreaded writer’s block phenomenon. Whether they like it or not, writers must deal with tough periods in which nothing seems to flow. There are times when staring at a computer screen or a blank sheet o...
April 1, 2022 READ MORE
The simple quotation mark has a surprisingly long and rich history. Its origin dates back a lot further than one might think. While the practice of using a written symbol to indicate an excerpt from another written work dates all the way back to Ancient Greece, documented history informs us that the ancestors of the double quotation mark that we use today first appea...
February 17, 2022 READ MORE
11 Great Organization Tools for Writers
Being a writer requires a combination of talent and discipline. Successful writers must develop routines and habits that allow them to harness their creative powers. In addition, writers must make time to conduct research, take notes, edit, and proofread their work. Indeed, the entire writing process demands a great deal of organization and careful attention to detail. ...
January 21, 2022 READ MORE
Five Great Holiday Gifts for Writers
If you know any writers, then you know they can be picky (some might even say pretentious). But it’s really not that hard buying gifts for the writers in your life – especially not with TWFH on your side. Here we’ve put together a list of five of our favorite gifts and gadgets for writers. #1: Moleskine Notebooks Moleskine notebooks will forever be the signature...
December 24, 2021 READ MORE
Fantastic Words to Describe Obscure Emotions
Have you ever found yourself searching for a word to describe certain emotions or feelings, but just can’t put your finger on the right one? Well, believe it or not, there is actually a word for that. It’s called “lethologica.” But lethologica does not have to get you down. It turns out there is a whole collection of words to describe obscure emotions or feeling...
February 12, 2021 READ MORE
10+ (More) Great Books Every Aspiring Writer Should Read
Writers love to read about writing. From advice on mastering their craft, to memoirs of writers, and even straight-up grammar tips, books about writing are a major part of every aspiring writer’s library. The Writers For Hire writer, Jennifer Rizzo, told us about “5 Great Books Every Aspiring Writer Should Read,” and they were great suggestions, but there are a lo...
January 12, 2021 READ MORE
Writers’ Tips for Working from Home
Ever since COVID-19 lockdowns started in March of 2020 and forced many people to work from home, the internet has been full of hilarious memes. From jokes about doing Zoom calls in your pajamas, to cartoons depicting parents trying to work with kids in the house, it’s clear that the switch from the office to working remotely has been a challenge for many. There is on...
January 5, 2021 READ MORE
Understanding Active and Passive Voice in Writing
"TIME's spell-check always admonishes me whenever I compose a sentence in the passive voice, a warning that is often ignored by me." — Richard Corliss, film critic for TIME magazine There are certain writing tips or admonishments that writers hear so often that they’ve become almost cliché: “Show don’t tell.” “Write every day.” “Use the active, no...
December 1, 2020 READ MORE
Avoiding the Copyright Police: Ways to Find Free Images for Your Blog
Remember story time as a kid? While the story was great, you have to confess it was the pictures that drew you in, right? Looking at the pictures was the best part of the entire experience. The same applies to digital and printed communications. Visuals, including photography and infographics, play a significant role in helping people take action, become inspired, o...
October 30, 2020 READ MORE
20 Great Podcasts to Inspire and Improve Your Writing
As professional writers, we at The Writers For Hire (TWFH) are constantly looking to hone up on our skills while staying attuned to current trends and developments in the writing world. And we have found that listening to podcasts is a fantastic way to do just that! Whether you are tuning in while working out at the gym, or listening during your commute to work, pod...
October 23, 2020 READ MORE
The Writers Behind Your Fortune Cookie Aphorism
It may come as a surprise to you that fortune cookies are not actually a Chinese invention. While their true origins are widely debated, it is a common belief that the first fortune cookies appeared in California sometime in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The real question is, though, who is behind the messages on those tiny pieces of paper hidden inside of the cook...
October 9, 2020 READ MORE
25 Beautiful and Inspiring Words to Expand Your Vocabulary
As human beings, we use language every day to convey thoughts and ideas, describe our feelings and emotions, to argue our points, and to convey directions. And, as writers, we at TWFH use language even more than the average person. Very rarely, though, do we actually sit and think about just how beautiful language can be. Take meliorism, for example, which ...
August 28, 2020 READ MORE
The Numbers Behind the Words: Can You Make Money Writing Non-Fiction Books?
We all know an awful lot about something. It’s just the way people are. Your area of expertise might be something useful, like knowing how to fix cars, or it might be something less tangible, say, an obscene amount of knowledge about cartoons from the late 1970s to the early 1980s (ruh roh, Raggy!). Whatever the case may be, chances are that people come to you from...
August 21, 2020 READ MORE
How To Write a Family History Book—7 Steps Plus A Pro Tip
With the rise in popularity of media programming such as PBS’s Finding Your Roots, and the ease and accessibility of home ancestry and DNA test kits, more and more people are choosing to research their family history. The internet has made this research easier than ever before. For those who decide to go even further—to compile and record the facts and stories th...
August 4, 2020 READ MORE
Diving Headfirst Into Your Family Tree
Do you ever wonder about where your ancestors came from, and what struggles they had to endure in their life’s voyage? The journey of discovering your roots and your family history can be quite fascinating and exciting. It can also be a daunting and time-consuming task. A simple Google search will lead you to a vast array of websites, promising to give you the answers...
July 28, 2020 READ MORE
Emojis Delayed by the Coronavirus
The 2019 novel coronavirus has changed our lives a lot in the past couple of months. From transitioning to remote learning and remote working, to wearing a mask in public, it’s amazing how different our lives are now from just three months ago. And it’s crazy to think of the multitude of things that the virus has affected. In fact, believe it or not, even emojis hav...
May 7, 2020 READ MORE
Good News to Brighten Up Your Day
It’s no secret that people are feeling a bit down these days. With shelter-in-place orders, businesses closing, and news stories that sound like some kind of post-apocalyptic novel, it’s no wonder people are struggling to stay positive. It is during times like these, though, that it is increasingly important to look for the beauty and good in the world. Thanks to th...
April 2, 2020 READ MORE
Going Behind the Curtain: FAQ on Publishing and the Legal Issues of Hiring a Ghostwriter
Every year, dozens of civil lawsuits are filed that included allegations of libel or defamation. Most of the time, these things are obscure cases that never reach the headlines, but nevertheless cost both plaintiffs and defendants sizable sums for legal fees and court costs. Some cases, though, such as Jesse Ventura’s case against Chris Kyle’s widow or the suit f...
February 27, 2020 READ MORE
One of my biggest pet peeves is prepositional phrases that don't logically link to the rest of the sentence. I see this writing practice all the time, and it usually happens because: a) the writer is trying to improve sentence flow, or b) the writer is trying to cram extra information into a paragraph and can't figure out where to put it. Here's an example: "With more ...
December 23, 2019 READ MORE
Words that Contradict Themselves
If you have read our blogs Why the English Language is a Writer’s Nightmare and Are There Any Synonyms for Synonym?, you are well aware that we think the English language is crazy and confusing. But, have you ever taken the time to actually stop and think about just how crazy it is? We have way too many words that are either spelled the same way, but pronounced di...
December 5, 2019 READ MORE
Fun Thanksgiving Facts From The Writers For Hire
Did you know that the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for plumbers? Or how about the fact that the woman famous for writing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” was also known as the “Mother of Thanksgiving,” after her four-decade campaign to get the holiday re-instated nationwide? With the first Thanksgiving dating all the way back to 1621, it’s...
November 26, 2019 READ MORE
HOW TO KICK-OFF A WRITING PROJECT: PART THREE – GATHERING INFORMATION
The team is in place, and the kick-off meeting ( or kick-off call) is over. Now comes the content. You probably have a good idea of what you need from everyone. You’ll find, however, that different colleagues require different levels of engagement. Your main challenge may well be dealing with various comfort levels when it comes to writing or, as the old saying goes, ...
November 14, 2019 READ MORE
The 108 Most Persuasive Words In The English Language
It's a long known fact that the secret to persuasive writing isn't in the adjectives, it's in the verbs. Copywriters know power verbs sell and convince. Internally, we have a list of 108 verbs that we've been using for a good decade, and we recently thought we should share it with proper credit to the original author. We found that although the list is being recirculated (...
November 12, 2019 READ MORE
How the Phrase “You Guys” Came to Be
As a writer, I have always struggled with second-person pronouns. Having spent the last few years working with a Houston-based writing team, I have taken to occasionally using “y'all” in my everyday speech. However, writing “y'all” seems to be too much of a commitment for me. As a non-Southerner, it somehow feels like I am being an imposter. But, what other opt...
November 5, 2019 READ MORE
The Bizarre Writing Habits of Famous Authors
For even the most skilled writers, it takes a special kind of motivation to turn out literary hits. While some writers may rely on a good cup of coffee, and perhaps some inspirational music, there are others who take a less conventional approach to finding motivation. Take Benjamin Franklin, for example. He felt that his best work was done if he wrote while he was nude....
October 22, 2019 READ MORE
Why the English Language is a Writer’s Nightmare
I have always felt sorry for people who have to learn the English language. For writers in particular, English can be a complete nightmare. Some may say that it can be understood “through tough thorough thought, though,” but let’s face it — English has some really crazy aspects that simply do not make any sense. Take the word queue, for example. Why do we n...
October 15, 2019 READ MORE
A Writer’s Guide to the Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue
Have you ever heard a writer referred to as a “brother of the quill?” Do you ever wonder where the term “kick the bucket” came from? Or how about the origin of words like punk or fly? It may surprise you to find out that these terms, along with many other commonly (and not so commonly) used slang actually originated back in the 1700s. According to this fas...
September 25, 2019 READ MORE
Amazing Foods That Help You Write Well
As writers, our greatest tools are our minds. And when our minds are not functioning properly, our ability to produce quality work is greatly affected. While things such as getting enough sleep and reducing stress are important for our brain function, equally important are the foods that we are eating. But, what foods are the best choices to help nourish both our bodies...
September 17, 2019 READ MORE
Thou Shalt Not Remove Buildings by Writing on Them and Other Strange Laws
There is a proverb that states that the pen is mightier than the sword. And I am sure that many writers would agree with that sentiment. Apparently the state of Maryland feels strongly about it, too. So strongly, in fact, that they seem to think the pen is mighty enough to remove a building, simply by writing on it. The law actually states that a person may not deface,...
September 11, 2019 READ MORE
Time Zones Cheat Sheet For Writers
As a writer who works remotely, and occasionally travels for different genealogy and family history projects, calculating time zones is always an issue for me. I live in the Mountain time zone, but the majority of the writers I work with go by Central time. And with clients all over the world, scheduling conference calls can become quite challenging. Thanks to one o...
September 3, 2019 READ MORE
11 Weird Habits That Writers Can Relate To
We writers are a funny breed. I don’t know if it is the fact that a lot of us work from home, and spend most of our time in the sole company of our own imaginations (and a strong cup of coffee), or if it is because our livelihoods depend on our ability to find the inspiration to put words to paper (which is not always easy to do, when you’re staring at a computer sc...
August 29, 2019 READ MORE
8 Incredible Stories To Inspire Writers
Anyone who has ever tried to publish a book knows that being an author is not for the faint of heart. Getting a reputable publisher to even look at your book can be a challenge, and finding one to represent you can seem impossible. Unless you are an A-list celebrity or a millionaire heiress, getting your book published takes a lot of hard work and a good amount of pure ...
August 20, 2019 READ MORE
10 Ways for Writers to Avoid Distractions and Improve Productivity
Do you ever sit down to work, only to realize hours later that you have gotten very little done? You feel like you have been busy all day, yet you have not made much progress in the manuscript you are writing, and have not even started the newsletter you are supposed to send out. If you answered yes, you are not alone. With the ever growing and changing presence of ...
July 2, 2019 READ MORE
Is Screenless Internet the Future of Writing?
It’s hard to remember a time when computers were tied to dial-up land-lines, and cell phones were devices used solely for the purpose of making calls. In fact, it seems that nowadays, everywhere you look, people are shackled to their internet-enabled cell phones, tablets, or laptops. With ever-evolving technology, the dream of working remotely has become more and mor...
June 18, 2019 READ MORE
12 Little-Known Punctuation Marks to Make Your Writing More Interesting
It is common knowledge that most sentences end with a period. We are all familiar with the often overused exclamation mark, and we all know that question marks help indicate that a phrase is interrogative. But, have you ever heard of an “interrobang?” How about a “certitude point?” This fascinating article from Readers Digest introduces 12 little-known punct...
June 4, 2019 READ MORE
A Flashback to 1993 and the Information Superhighway
I belong to that technologically in-between generation. The first half of my childhood I spent time locating library books using card catalogs, calling my friends using our home’s land line, and learning to type on an electric typewriter. By the time I reached middle school, though, computers had taken the place of typewriters. And by high school, most households had an ...
May 16, 2019 READ MORE
7 Unusual Ways To Improve Your Writing
As with every form of art, we writers are constantly working to improve our craft. From reading the works of great writers to attending writing workshops and checking out the latest and greatest grammar rules and regulations, we try very hard to stay at the top of our writing game. In our never-ending search for interesting new ways to help us grow as writers, we ca...
May 14, 2019 READ MORE
2019’s Best Productivity Tools For Writers
One of the biggest challenges that writers face is time management. We often have several projects going on at once, which can leave us feeling like we are running around like a chicken with its head cut off. While there are many different productivity tools out there that promise to help with time and task management, many of them end up being more time consuming and ...
May 9, 2019 READ MORE
33 of the Best Free Font Downloads for Writers
As writers, we are generally limited in the fonts that we can use. While a fancy font may seem more fun and exciting than the basic Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri, we have to be sure that the fonts we use can be easily read and understood. Every once in a while, though, we have the opportunity to color outside the lines and use a font that has a bit more pizzazz. O...
May 7, 2019 READ MORE
How Your Language Is Shaped By The Places You Have Lived
It’s common knowledge that if you are from New York or New Jersey, you have a particular accent or way of talking that’s stereotypical of the region. And if you are from Georgia or Alabama, your slow drawl is certain to give your southern roots away. But, did you know that the actual words you write or say (as well as the way you pronounce those words) can not only...
May 2, 2019 READ MORE
Words That Were Brought To Us By World War I
Language is a fascinating and ever-evolving thing. It has been said that the average person speaks upwards of 16,000 words per day. And the average book is somewhere between 50 and 100,000 words long. Yet, we rarely stop to think about the words we use and how they came to be. In honor of the 100th anniversary of World War I, CNN published this thought-provoking ...
April 24, 2019 READ MORE
I Shot the Serif: Is Font Choice Important?
When I married a man with the very Italian surname of Iacullo, I had no illusions about the spelling and pronunciation mishaps that were likely to follow. I knew I’d have to endure a certain amount of ribbing about the surplus of vowels in the old country and make endless attempts to explain that yes, my new last name really did begin with the letter “I” followed by ...
April 4, 2019 READ MORE
5 Books Every Aspiring Writer Should Read
The well-known author, Stephen King, famously said: “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.” As with any profession, the more writers can study their craft and learn from professionals, the better they will be. But, are all books treated equally? Or are there certain literary works that are more beneficial t...
April 3, 2019 READ MORE
As word enthusiasts, we constantly try to stay up-to-date on the evolution of language. After all, we found great delight in the list of 25 words that were added to Webster’s dictionary last year. But, as much as we love learning new words and discovering what they mean, we feel it is important to remember words of the past, that are no longer commonly used in today�...
March 28, 2019 READ MORE
Here’s Your Chance to Re-Write the Classics!
If you have been considering re-writing a classic book or putting your own spin on an old movie, then 2019 is your year! For the first time in 20 years, a whole year’s worth of copyrighted works has been released into the U.S. public domain. Under the terms of the Sonny Bono Copyright Act, these works, which were first published in 1923, are now copyright free. So,...
February 26, 2019 READ MORE
Autological Words: Words That Describe Themselves
As writers, we are passionate about words and language. Oftentimes, when we come across a word that we have never heard before, we immediately want to know not only the meaning, but also the history of the word. In most cases, as with most words, the actual meaning of the word has nothing to do with the word itself. Words are generally just arbitrary sounds that are pu...
February 21, 2019 READ MORE
Coffee – The Key to Writers’ Survival
Some things just go together: peanut butter and jelly, salt and pepper, the sun and the moon…writers and coffee! There are numerous possible reasons as to why coffee has become the “nectar of the writer” over the years. Perhaps it is the boost of energy and stimulation from the caffeine. Maybe it’s the flavor of the roasted beans that inspires creativity. Or, as...
February 19, 2019 READ MORE
Words of Wisdom from 10 Great Writers
Some people are naturally gifted writers. They don’t have a fancy education. They haven’t spent endless hours and money taking classes to learn how to write well. They are just good. They simply have an incredible talent for the written word that the rest of us can only sit back and envy. But have you ever wondered what those amazing writers would say if you had the c...
December 31, 2018 READ MORE
Publishing Guide – Defining the Terms and People Found in Publishing
Publishing has a long and romantic history, filled with names and figures that we all know. For example, most aspiring writers can tell you not only who it was that invented the printing press, but also what is often considered to be the first book ever printed on it (if you’re not sure what the answer is, click here). A lot has changed since then. There’s ...
December 11, 2018 READ MORE
I think we can all agree that it is important to stay up-to-date on what is going on in the world. From television newscasts, radio programs, and newspapers to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; there are endless ways to get real-time updates on local and international news. All of those news outlets tend to have one thing in common, though… Bad News. It’s not that ...
November 19, 2018 READ MORE
The Researcher’s Guide to Screenshots
As writers, we often need to capture information from sources: online, print, and interviews to name a few. When you are on the computer, you can record your findings in your favorite word processor; for print, you've got the good old copy machine, with OCR if you're lucky. And for interviews, of course, we have our trusty recorders. But when it comes to capturing resear...
November 19, 2018 READ MORE
Publishing Ins and Outs: Proceed with Contract Caution
Long hours and late nights of pounding the keys have finally resulted in something monumental--a book! You’ve finished your manuscript and even scored interest from a publisher or two. What’s not to like? You could get used to this author life. But wait! Before you start counting those dollar signs in your bank account without even a page in print, you want to think ...
November 13, 2018 READ MORE
MICROSOFT WORD TIPS FOR WRITERS … *Mac Edition*
A little while back, we compiled some “Word hacks” that our writers have learned over the years of working with Microsoft Word. But we realized that Microsoft Word is, like all things, different across platforms. So not to be left out, our Mac users piped up with tips and tricks of their own.[block_heading content="Take Control from A to Z" size="h2" color="black"][[/b...
October 16, 2018 READ MORE
Stay on the Write Side of the Law: Steer Clear of Publishing Woes
"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...." there was a copyright lawsuit between Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica. Stars Wars had captured the hearts of adoring fans across America, and Universal Studios wanted to jump on that bandwagon, so they launched Battlestar Galactica. But Star Wars execs saw one too many similarities in the Battlestar Galactica storyli...
June 7, 2018 READ MORE
Content Migration Doesn’t Have to be a Nightmare: Best Practices for a Smoother Transition
For most people, the thought of migrating thousands of pages to a new website is overwhelming. Even if the project involves only a website redesign, it can feel like an impossible task. [tweet_this tweet_text="While content migration could never be labeled as “easy,” it is entirely doable if you start with a defined goal and think of it as a series of strategic steps...
May 22, 2018 READ MORE
Auditory, Visual or Kinesthetic? Why You Should Tell Your Writer Your Learning Style
When starting a project with a writer – be it a book brochure, website or whitepaper – it’s common to focus on the end goal. How will it read when it’s done? Less focused on, but equally important, are the mechanics of creating the document. That is, a smooth journey from blank page to finished manuscript, can not only directly impact the quality of the final p...
May 1, 2018 READ MORE
Top 10 Microsoft Word Tips for Writers
When you use something every day for years, you start to think you’re getting pretty good at it.But if you’re like most writers, you’ve probably been using Microsoft Word to write a few pages, save them, and maybe print them out. If you’re working with an editor, clients, or other writers, then you likely use Track Changes or Comments all the time, too. You c...
April 24, 2018 READ MORE
Word Tip of the Week: Create a Custom Toolbar
If you’re like most of us, you tend to use the same Word features all the time. And those features might not just be in the Home tab. If you find yourself switching tabs over and over, save yourself some clicks – and time – by customizing the ribbon. To customize the ribbon in Word: 1. Right-click on any tab. A menu will appear. 2. Choose Customize the Ribbon�...
April 17, 2018 READ MORE
Word Tip of the Week: Compare Documents to See Revisions
When several people are working on a document, it’s almost inevitable that someone will eventually forget to use Track Changes. Luckily, Word includes another way to see the revisions between two versions of a document. Don’t comb through a document looking for changes! Instead, use the Compare feature: 1. Make sure both versions of the document are open in Word. 2...
April 10, 2018 READ MORE
Rounding Up With The Writers For Hire
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at The Writers For Hire? The details of our weekly meetings are usually top secret, reserved only for those with the highest level of security clearance. Sometimes, though, things are just too good not to share. So, here it is… some of the amazingly interesting things that we have discussed (and learned from each other) durin...
April 10, 2018 READ MORE
Word Tip of the Week: Using Tables to Insert Images
Have you ever tried inserting a bunch of images into a document by just clicking on Pictures in the Insert tab? If so, you might have spent the next 30 minutes trying to drag them into place, then another 30 trying to fix your text formatting. Once everything looked like it was wrangled into place, you added a little more text….and BAM! Word went wild yet again. Fixin...
April 2, 2018 READ MORE
Word Tip of the Week: Removing Mysterious, Unwanted Formatting
Recently, we had a long document that had several dotted lines running across the page. We had no idea how they got there. Several writers tried to remove them, but it wasn’t until months later that one of them succeeded. It turns out that fixing this issue is pretty simple. Just follow these steps below: 1. Copy the area surrounding the line, inclu...
March 19, 2018 READ MORE
Word Tip of the Week: Use ‘Read Aloud’ for Proofreading
If you’re an audio learner, you’ve probably wished that you could listen to a Word document instead of reading it. Good news: there’s a Word feature that allows you to do just that. Activating the Read Aloud feature is also a great proofreading tool to use after Spell Check. To activate Read Aloud: Select the text that you want Word to read. Go to Review ->...
March 12, 2018 READ MORE
Word Tip of the Week: Using the Readability Feature
Writing something for the general public? Then you’ll want to aim for about a 5th grade reading level. If you’re writing for an academic journal, on the other hand, you’ll probably want to aim for college level. How do you know if you’re close? There’s a handy feature tucked inside Word that will let you know if you’re in the right ballpark for your audienc...
March 5, 2018 READ MORE
Word Tip of the Week: Format Painter
If you’ve ever copied content from one document and pasted it into another, you’ve probably had to go back to fix the formatting so that it matches. There are a couple ways to get everything uniform, but none of them are as good as Format Painter. This single button makes tedious formatting a breeze. To use Format Painter: 1. Highlight some text containing the form...
February 27, 2018 READ MORE
Word Tip of the Week: Use Your CTRL Button
This week’s tip isn’t specific to Microsoft Word – but it sure makes typing in Word a lot faster. Learning a few control button commands will keep your fingers on the keyboard instead of drifting over your computer’s touchpad. Here are a few of our most-used CTRL button functions: • CTRL A to highlight all • CTRL C to copy to the clipboard anything yo...
February 20, 2018 READ MORE
Word Tip of the Week: Add Another Language to Spell Check
Are you tired of Word giving you a long errors list because you use languages other than English in your writing? If you’re a science writer who uses a lot of Latin words, or anyone else who uses dual languages in your writing, then you can speed up the spell-checking process with the Languages feature. This feature allows you to add languages to your spell checker so ...
February 12, 2018 READ MORE
The Finesse of Dealing With Difficult Clients
We all dread those emails. The ones where you can almost hear the client yelling at you through the computer screen. When those emails arrive, it’s hard not to immediately jump on the defensive and start to fight back. However, addressing those situations in a professional and polite way is imperative to maintaining good client relations. But how do you do that?!? [...
February 5, 2018 READ MORE
FINDING OLD COPIES OF PUBLICATIONS IN A DIGITAL AGE
So, you’re trying to find copies of old magazine and/or newspaper articles. Easy, right? Ha! That’s what you think. A few months ago, I was given the task of tracking down some old magazine and newspaper articles for a book project we were working on. Given that the articles were to be included in the book, they had to be original publications or copies with the pic...
January 4, 2018 READ MORE
THE ART AND SCIENCE OF RFP WRITING
We’ve written quite a few blogs about how to craft a thoughtful, well-organized response to a request for proposal (RFP). If you’ve ever been tasked with responding to an RFP, you know that proposal writing takes a staggering amount of work, and just the right balance of art (writing and communication are definitely arts) and science (developing best practices, adheri...
December 11, 2017 READ MORE
NAVIGATING A SUCCESSFUL PROPOSAL PROCESS: PART 2 OF 3
We’re Going Forward. What Next? The Go/No-Go meeting was held, and the decision’s been made: Your company is going forward with the proposal. Now the ball is back in your court. You’ve managed a proposal team before, but the contract was simple and called for far fewer resources. This one will require input from several divisions, and somehow, they all need to coor...
November 21, 2017 READ MORE
Reading Between the Lines: Avoiding Communication Breakdowns in the Creative Process
If there’s one thing that drives a project forward while keeping everyone working toward the same goals, it’s good communication. At some point or another, all agencies encounter communication breakdowns. You think a project is moving along beautifully only for it to hit a sudden stall as you come up against an (occasionally angry) brick wall. When good projects go ...
November 8, 2017 READ MORE
Can you spot the 10 errors in the paragraph below? Click here to view the answers!...
September 24, 2016 READ MORE
What is a Preposition? A preposition is a word or phrase typically placed before a noun and indicates the relation of that noun to a verb, adjective, or other noun. Richard Lanham's "Paramedic Method" consists of six steps to create clear and concise copy. The first step is to find and eradicate unnecessary prepositions. But, if you don't know how to spot a preposition, h...
September 10, 2013 READ MORE
In this third installment on writing web copy, we’re touching on some of the most important topics: the most common mistakes we see (often) that kill websites. Here’s what to look for (and what to avoid) to boost conversion rates and inspire readers to act. Let’s get started. 1. Not realizing that the navigation and layout must come before design....
September 20, 2010 READ MORE
