The Writing Life
I’ve been threatening to write a new eBook for months, and I’ve finally gone and done it. The subject? Punctuation. Title? Perfect Punctuation. It’s an ironic title; even I don’t use punctuation perfectly despite the “Write Right” moniker. In addition, the eBook isn’t the end-all, be-all resource when it comes to punctuation. It’s more of a primer to be accessed when writing a blog post, white paper, or other content.
I read an article that touted the many reasons overachievers frequently under-deliver. I admit it; the article rankled. Perhaps it had that effect because I am one of those overachievers. It always hurts to have one’s flaws paraded before the public and to have them used as reasons to say “avoid hiring this person!”
[Read more…] about 6 Ways to Turn Overachievers into Achievers
Any time I think about deadlines, I think of the infamous incident when I missed one. My mom thinks the story is false since she doesn’t remember it, but I know it happened. I was in the sixth grade. I had a history essay or a book report due. I didn’t write it. I missed the deadline. Punishment was given.
Writers – most creative people, really – can be a touchy bunch. I know. I’m one of them. If asked if I’m easy to get along with, I could only say I try to be.
My youngest brother is the exact opposite. He’s the easiest person in the world to get along with. If he’s the “duck” of the family, I’m the porcupine. I more often turn “quilly” rather than let situations and stressors roll off me.
“Good” is a subjective qualifier, but most people know when the work they produce is good or mediocre. Good work is doing one’s best. Mediocre is doing just enough to get by. Good work may receive criticism and need corrections. Mediocre work has to be completely redone.
When you set out on a journey from there to here, you find yourself beset with obstacles. Those obstacles may be external – a terrible job or no job, for instance – but, more often than not, they are internal. They are found as you encounter various difficulties and find yourself discouraged, disconsolate, lost.