Monthly Archives: September 2005

“The three most important elements in any speech are: brevity, levity, and repetition. Let me say that again: brevity, levity, and repetition.” Daniel Pink, author, Free Agent Nation, at a 2005 commencement address If he’d sat down right after that, it would (theoretically) have been a perfect speech.

Do you have notes jotted everywhere? I know I do. As a full-time writer, ideas are my bread and butter, and I hate letting any of them slip away. Consequently, I’ve got ideas scribbled on Post-Its, yellow pads, my PDA, digital voice recorder and some Backpack pages. And let’s not even mention the thousands of […]

In my previous post I had a mild rant about waiving tolls on the Maine Turnpike. But our neighbor to the South, New Hampshire, just pulled a toll increase — without raising prices. Huh? How? New Hampshire no longer accepts its own tokens for tolls. Now riders have to pay a buck each way, instead […]

I’ve been throwing my pocket change in a jar on my dresser since I was a kid. It’s a pretty painless way to save, but it also means you often don’t have the three cents you inevitably need when the coffee barista brings your double latte. Many convenience stores and small markets have a penny […]

A good pithy quotation by some wise man or woman is like a ripe peach: sensuous, juicy, overflowing with good stuff. God, I love peaches — I mean, quotes. (Well, both actually.) I’ve been collecting great quotes for years, and have a file filled with thousands of them. I’m also going to start sharing more […]

What is it about lists that are so darn appealing? People just love ’em — numbered lists, bulleted lists, grocery lists (OK, never mind that last one). Personally, I know I was finally able to unblock myself and start writing magazine articles when I discovered the list format years ago. Somehow an article titled “Six […]

Most of us struggle to write well. Irish PR practitioner Piaras Kelly has posted 12 excellent tips that may help you write for your blog — or any other business writing. You may not agree with all twelve. Maybe they don’t reflect your personal writing style. But most are solid advice no matter what you’re […]