Over the next few weeks, I'll be doing a series on my most common edits. There are a number of things consistently misused by people when they write and I think they are worth a look.  Are you making these mistakes when you write? The first and most common edit is "that."  Here's a good example: "I think that a good college education is important."                                         Here's a better way:                                               "I think a good college education is important."     Simply eliminating the word "that" removes clutter from this sentence, helping it flow better. Uncluttered writing is easier to read, has an effortless flow and keeps readers engaged. Readers grow weary...

I saw actor Harrison Ford on Live! with Kelly & Ryan one morning. He's clearly a talented actor and I've enjoyed his work in several different movies. One of my favorites is The Fugitive. Air Force One isn't bad, either, not to mention Star Wars and the Indiana Jones series. Not bad. However, not everyone believed in him. During his interview, he related a story from early in his career. In one movie, before he hit it big, he played a bell hop in a hotel. He said one director called him over and told him he will never make it as an actor. He told him he knows an actor who was so good that when he played a delivery boy, he watched him and saw a great movie actor. Harrison Ford's response was unreal...he said, "Shouldn't you have seen a great delivery boy?" Now, that's a great comeback! And it wasn't in any script. My point in telling this story is simply that not everyone will believe in your talents, but it doesn't matter. If no one e...

You need an editor, even for the smallest communications going out to the public. Whether you are advertising eye exams or cavity protection, a unique product or a much-needed service, your advertising needs editing. Take this picture for example: Had this company had an editor, it's highly unlikely they would have spent the money on a poster such as this. Do you see the problem? Editors find these problems and fix them before they go to print. Don't be caught without an editor. You may end up offering services you cannot and don't want to fulfill. ~Tricia

As a published writer, one of my interests is coaching other writers. I thoroughly enjoy coaching writers who are serious about getting published. While I love coaching, I suspect the person being coached isn't having as much fun as I. When I coach writers, one of my jobs is to tell them what's wrong with their writing. While hearing tough, honest criticism can be hard, it's also vitally important. Coaching is somewhat like editing, but more style than content is edited. For example, I recently coached a man whose initial writing was filled with sarcasm and guilt-provoking thoughts that would not get his point across, but would likely offend his intended target audience. I told him sarcasm does not sell; that he needed to say things in a different way or risk having his publisher throw it away without a second glance. He revised his work, twice, and I'm happy to report that he got the piece published! I was privileged to coach an elderly woman who had never be...

I've recently stepped up a major writing project that I've been working on in a slower mode for the past couple of years. In my efforts to be accurate and remain true to my topic, I have found myself reviewing ancient writings of different theologians of days past for historical input. One such writer, Theodoret of Cyrus, lived from 393 - 460 A.D. My project is summed up here and here . Imagine his writings still being read today, over 1,500 years later! The power of the written word should not be underestimated. The Bible, much of it written long before this man's writings, is still the most-read book in all of history. What you write today matters. It matters to today's audience and will matter in the audience of generations to come. So, write. Write often. Write well. Just write. ~Tricia