Expert tips from a nurse-turned-writer

P.S. I’m not an expert-expert, but I do make a living by stringing words together and want to share everything I learn with you!

Bird Flu, anyone?

Hello writers,

Anyone else feeling squirmy about H5N1? Since Covid, I have been following a lot of epidemiologists and infectious disease specialists, and I’m not loving the vibe. The CDC says they have no evidence of human-to-human bird flu transmission. For now. But I, for one, will be watching closely. On a scale from “What’s bird flu?” to “I’m already stockpiling toilet paper and ventilators,” How do you feel about it?

Talk soon,

WRITING TIP OF THE WEEK

Read your final draft out loud

If you read my newsletter a few weeks ago, you learned how a good night’s rest works wonders between drafts. Well, now I’m going to focus on that final read-through before (heart racing, palms sweaty) you submit it.

Reading aloud uses your brain differently — it sparks a more active brain function than passive, silent reading. This can help you remember more of what you read, but it can also help you polish an already-great piece.

Out-loud final read-throughs can help you feel the natural rhythm of your words — and when the rhythm falters. I’ve caught a ton of structural missteps, weird wording, and stilted transitions this way. I also think reading it aloud makes me feel like I’m performing it, and in the self-consciousness that follows, I sharpen my attention and notice things I didn’t before.

I’d love to hear if this works for you, too… Reply and let me know!

TRIVIA-PALOOZA

Not ruby red??

Your trivia question for the week is…

💡 In L. Frank Baum’s original 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, what color were Dorothy’s shoes? 💡

(The answer’s at the bottom!)

FREELANCER CORNER

The other kind of dry January

You may already know about getting sober-curious during “dry January,” in which people lay off alcohol for the month. As worthy as this idea is, I’ve been partaking in a different kind of dry January. In which my work schedule has been…well…Bone. Dry.

I know I’m not alone, because other writers have told me so. From various LinkedIn posts, I’m going to go ahead and take a guess as to why my work has stayed at a trickle when I want a fire hose.

The latest Google algorithm update de-ranked existing articles, sent gobs of publications scrambling, and ultimately led to the layoff of entire departments. And I’m wondering if every pub on the internet is taking a bit longer than usual to assign pieces for fear of jumping on a bandwagon that will land then in the Google toilet.

I’ve got a lot of promises in my inbox, but not much I can put on an invoice. Has this been true for any of you? I’d love to commiserate! And here’s to a much busier February! 🍻

IT’S PERSONAL

The results are in…

…and my town wins! In a recent survey done by the Daily Telegraph newspaper, South Queensferry got the most votes for “prettiest town in Scotland.” Given top marks for the beautiful views, historic architecture, and lack of litter (anyone else find that funny?), my small coastal village took the prize.

I’ll probably never get used to living in a tourist destination: avoiding throngs of High Street visitors at the weekend…ducking out of photographs on my way to pick up my kids from school…giving (hopefully correct) directions…

But I hope I never stop loving the sight of our beautiful bridges peeking out over the rooftops, my favorite bench by the sea, or peaceful walks through the Fairy Glen. I’ll just keep pinching myself over here and hope we can stay forever!

‘Til next time

Thanks for reading and see you next week!

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💡 Find the trivia answer HERE 💡