Editing and improving AI-generated writing takes me longer (and costs my clients more) than editing and improving even the sloppiest human-generated writing. Much like I intuitively know there's some kind of linguistic difference between my guy and my dude but can't quite put my finger on it, I've been adamant that this pattern is not … Continue reading Yo, Robot Bestie, What’s Your Point?
Tag: analysis
Finding Your Type
Writing for our businesses can be overwhelming, whether or not we think of ourselves as writers in any other context. Sometimes it's even the last thing I find energy for because I'm more focused on writing for my clients--and I won't find energy for it at all if I don't have a clear motivating goal. … Continue reading Finding Your Type
Bot Bloviation
I have a friend: I may have once called him a robot bootlicker, but here let's call him Bob. It's not uncommon for other friends to mention AI near Bob and I...and then bust out popcorn. I want to tell you a story about Bob's failure to produce an AI story. Bob is a member … Continue reading Bot Bloviation
Is The AI Assisting?
The short answer: sometimes. AI can certainly streamline our generative creativity, and help us move on our ideas faster and with less executive function expense. But...it can't replace us just yet. Take, for instance, the new built-in AI feature for WordPress sites like this one--which I noticed while moving through the final posting checklist on … Continue reading Is The AI Assisting?
When to Break the Rules
Most of the time, I actively work against my impulse to correct every language mistake I see in public because I don't work for free Most English grammar rules are contextual at best And rooted in oppressive power structures at worst It's just really annoying and usually not welcome enough to be helpful I am … Continue reading When to Break the Rules
How Did I Fool the News?
While some outlets did immediately clock satire, several others ran the story without even a careful close read. Satire is an especially tricky kind of writing, sure, but it also highlights an essential truth: sometimes the hardest part of writing is nailing the genre expectations, and sometimes nailing the genre expectations is how we produce … Continue reading How Did I Fool the News?
Bios are Risky Business
Jenny knows what she's doing: she trains large business teams to write, and has recently put out a book full of her favorite business writing tips (read it! your writing will improve). She's comfortable doing it: seems like she writes books in the time it takes me to do my taxes. But. Sometimes the words … Continue reading Bios are Risky Business
Talk to Yourself: It’s not that Weird
I have a few go-to pieces of advice when business owners or other writers ask me for help. Standard networking event conversation: What do you do?I help writers sound the way they do in their headsOh! I write! When I can. But I'm stuck right now...halp? From here, I have a few options--assess exactly what … Continue reading Talk to Yourself: It’s not that Weird
A clear call to action
You've put all this effort into building your brand. You have a clear sense of what you have to offer customers. But do they? Writing, especially for our customer-facing materials, is all about convincing our audience--it's an argument for further engagement, for the worth of our services or products. And if there's one thing I've … Continue reading A clear call to action
Something Polished 