Comments

Great video, Tom! "Writing is a timeless and powerful skill." This is so very true. Writing also helps with thought processes and formation of ideas, as there are always questions outside of what is being written or focused on. Writing helps in hearing ideas other than what you are trying to define and pinpoint by collecting and culminating them into a cohesive structure.

There also seems to be a direct link between reading and writing. Has the lack of reading brought on the decline of writing well, perhaps in even thinking which seems to go hand in hand with writing, besides the tweeting, emailing, facebooking, etc? Practice definitely makes a better writer AND thinker. My brother always told me when I failed at anything growing up that "Practice doesn't make perfect. Practice makes better." I thought of his words listening to yours.

Thanks for this writing reminder, Tom! You do it so very well. I'm awaiting the new book!

Shelley - The link in the post itself is from the past video about dull things. But I was cool with that. I just watched it again. That's a good one too. I love this series. Thanks for posting them!

Posted by Judith Ellis at January 21, 2010 5:43 PM

Thanks for the catch, Judith! I've updated it.

Posted by Shelley Dolley at January 21, 2010 5:50 PM

Just the tonic I needed today!

I am struggling with a piece written communication at the moment!

Going to practice, practice, practice!

Posted by PaulH at January 22, 2010 2:27 AM

Paul – good luck with the writing. Reminds me of the visiting management consultant from the US over here in Birmingham, England for a conference. The day before the conference he booked into a small hotel on Broad Street opposite the famous Birmingham Symphony Hall. That evening he decided to walk to explore the joys of Birmingham, thinking to himself if I get lost I will simply ask a ‘local’ where the Symphony Hall is then I will find my hotel next door. Sure enough he got lost and at about 10 pm he saw a young Birmingham lad approaching him on the pavement carrying a double bass in its case. The consultant thought this guy is bound to know the Symphony Hall:

"How do I get to the Symphony Hall my friend?” Said the consultant

The young Brummie man looked him up and down and uttered the immortal words ‘PRACTICE. … PRACTICE … PRACTICE”

Have a good day Paul :- )

Posted by Trevor Gay at January 22, 2010 4:55 AM

I tell myself that if anyone has to write back to me and say, "Did you mean..." or "I'm a bit confused - could you clarify..." then I've failed.

I like the point about being careful when writing to someone 2 levels up the chain of command. It goes back to our old friend: know your audience and know how to pitch to them.

BTW, what I hate is when something comes down the line from 2 levels up and the old fart (e.g. me using terms like BTW!) tries desperately to sound cool and hip. No, no, no, no and no! Be yourself.

Posted by Mark JF at January 22, 2010 7:53 AM

"I tell myself that if anyone has to write back to me and say, 'Did you mean...' or 'I'm a bit confused - could you clarify...' then I've failed."

Mark - I rarely, if ever, feel that way. Our knowledge, outlook and experience are different, even if we have studied the same thing or work on the same team. People also express themselves differently so I often say a version of "did you mean this when you said that?" Knowing your audience, to whom you are writing, is essential. But even here expression is not exact because you are still dealing with readers who come with their own assumptions and understanding.

The interesting thing is that misreadings historically have lead to greater thought and understanding, perhaps not in the direction the writer had intended, but an interesting one nonetheless. I guess this can be frustrating for one who is trying to pinpoint a problem. But I think it’s important to hear others out anyway. There just may be an “aha” moment for everyone involved not just you, the reader in the end.

Philosophers have often misread the writing of those who had gone before them and a whole new branch of philosophy was discovered. The same is true in business. Often times the direct thought is perceived differently and this alone brings about innovation. The freedom to imagine out loud is important here. This is often what writing is.

Love your point about being yourself. Thanks!

Posted by Judith Ellis at January 22, 2010 3:55 PM

Hey Tom, thanks for the video. If you had recommend just 3 books that TEACH you the art of good writing, what would they be? Thanks!

Sunny

Posted by Sunny at January 23, 2010 10:48 AM

Anyone can learn good grammar. Writing, on the other hand, is a medium for expressing ideas. The quality of a writer's prose is indicative of his or her intelligence; the ability to think and express those thoughts.

A school leaver recently asked me (as a business owner) whether he should enroll in a business degree. I told him no, but to enroll instead in a degree in the arts, philosophy or humanities; learn to think, learn to understand people and write. I told him he'd then be streets ahead of a business school graduate.

Like grammar, anyone can learn business. Thinking, and writing are reserved for those who enjoy hard work.

Posted by Matt at February 3, 2010 9:37 AM