“Like the sand and the oyster, it’s a creative irritant. In each poem, I’m trying to reveal a truth, so it can’t have a fictional beginning.“ – Carol Ann Duffy, Born Dec. 23, 1955. I’m no poet, that’s for sure. But what is quoted here is certainly true about persuasive writing. Perhaps even more true
We Can’t Lead With Pleasure – We Must Begin Our Work at the Point of Pain Read More »
“We have too many high-sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.” – Abigail Adams, Born Dec. 22, 1744. In our line of work, it can be easy to be attracted to other ads that are clever, or funny. We envy the creativity of their writers and conceivers. We mentally (or even physically)
A Funny Sign You Saw Is Not Good Copy Read More »
“Journalism: an ability to meet the challenge of filling the space.” – Rebecca West, Born Dec. 21, 1892. The hardest part about writing is the writing. Having ideas is easy. Everyone has ideas. But not everyone writes. I mean, most people CAN “write” – in the sense that they are literate. But most people can’t
Most Wannabe Writers Lack the Muscle to Reach Page Two Read More »
“If we would have new knowledge, we must get a whole world of new questions.” – Susanne Langer, Born Dec. 20, 1895. In groups I run about copywriting, a lot of newbies ask the exact same questions. How do I start? What books do I need to read? Is this course I found any good?
Through Working, We Discover Deep Questions People Will Pay Us to Answer Read More »
“The fame of heroes owes little to the extent of their conquests and all to the success of the tributes paid to them.” – Jean Genet, Born Dec. 19, 1910. Let’s talk about idols. Idolization. Idolatry. Let’s talk about you in that role. It’s yours if you want it. But most people don’t understand how
To Become a Guru, You Must Nail This Change Read More »
“If you have extraordinary bread and extraordinary butter, it’s hard to beat bread and butter.” – Jacques Pepin, Born Dec. 18, 1935. Something simple, like bread and butter – can be elevated to a level that is sublime. All it takes is for the two components of that simple recipe to be extraordinary. I love
Do You Wanna Live Deliciously? Here’s the Recipe. Read More »
“Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets; art deserves that, for it and knowledge can raise man to the Divine.” – Ludwig van Beethoven, Born Dec. 17, 1770. The main thing I like about this advice is that it’s about putting in the work. Not on some kind of 24/7
Discovery of Hidden Value Always Requires THIS Read More »
“We have nowhere else to go… this is all we have.” – Margaret Mead, Born Dec. 16, 1901. What are you waiting for? Some new software to be released? A new laptop to work on? One more big client to fund your escape? A perfect idea to put your passion into? Another golden once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
Time is an Illusion – The Only Available Moment to Work is RIGHT NOW. Read More »
“A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible. There are no prima donnas in engineering.” – Freeman Dyson, Born Dec. 15, 1923. We work in a field that frequently tries to force creativity and invention
Science is for Suckers. Be Lazy and ENGINEER Success! Read More »
“Indeed, the hereditary gift of prophecy will go to the grave with me.” – Nostradamus, Born Dec. 14, 1503. Man, this dude was a genius of bullshittery. There wasn’t anything “hereditary” about his “gift” of “prophecy”. Basically, he would write a metric shit-ton of vague nonsensical poems, and then eventually some real-world event could be
How to Predict the Future: Predict ALL the Futures! Read More »
