The Modern Wordist Blog

I was going to write about an entirely different topic this week, but screechingly fast changes at the federal level compelled me to take a different path for today's post. A Call to Action Artists and colleagues — we’re thinkers, right? We tend to reflect on everything, no matter how large or small. We reflect so much that the non-artists in our lives say things like, “Does it hurt to think that hard?” and “You need a real job.” But we do have jobs, even if the work isn't about earning a steady paycheck. If you've really been wanting to put your creative muscles to work, there has never been a better time. We can: - Use our skills to inspire innovative overhaul, not overhaul with a wrecking ball. - Use those wink-wink creative skills to share important (and factually accurate) info. - Bring joy and laughter. (It matters.) People tend to underestimate the power of art, which always baffles me. But it’s crucial now.  Stir inquiry. Spark inspiration. Be a source of light and ...

The biggest downside to my work as an editor comes in those moments when I have to  tell a writer that the manuscript or draft they think is done actually needs more work One way to avoid an "it needs more work” conversation and spare yourself a blow to the ego is to discuss your idea with someone before you even start writing.  In modern terms, you could call it beta testing your idea.  Who to Ask  To save time, reach out to someone who has professional writing and/or editing experience. You can do this either through a connection to someone who works in publishing, or by seeking out a freelance editor with at least a few years of experience. A mixture of education and practice builds crucial developmental and analytical muscles, and editors and experienced writers have them. If you’d rather not chat with a pro about your idea, then, at minimum, I recommend seeking out friends who read a lot.  If you have one friend who isn’t afraid to be honest wi...

This blog is for all writers, whether you are new to writing or you've been writing for years. If you choose to read this blog regularly, you will discover that I'm a person who prefers to get to the point. And I prefer honesty – kind honesty. The articles you'll find here are not meant to grab your eyeballs. I have no intention of triggering emotional roller coasters like social media scrolling does. I don't want to work you up. This will not be a blog full of angry rants. (We all know there's more than enough of that on the internet already.) My goal with this blog is to help you think. I hope to help you approach writing in ways that you may not have considered before. If you're old enough to remember life before the commercial internet, I hope to remind you of all the possibilities of  experiencing , internally and externally, in our day-to-day lives.  But no matter your age, I hope to help you rediscover the many ways of using our senses that digital life h...