Words at Work by Lynda McDaniel

Words at Work by Lynda McDaniel will show you how to overcome your fear of writing and deliver words like a pro

My Book Review Rating: 5 Stars – a must-read for anyone who writes anything!

One of my pet peeves is poor writing. I mean there really is no excuse for it. If I’m in a restaurant and there’s a rogue apostrophe on the menu then I’m always tempted to get out a pen and correct it! In one of my previous jobs I was an editor, which means I developed an eagle eye for grammatical errors, and I can spot them from 100 paces.

Many people will tell you that they can’t write well because it’s too difficult – perhaps they claim to be better at maths or science. But the truth is good writing just requires practice and a little application. And that is exactly what Lynda McDaniel encourages in her new book: Words at Work.

This book is a joy to read, and packed full with helpful hints and tips from the first sentence to the last. Lynda uses real-life examples to show how she has improved and honed her writing skills over the years and developed a passion for the written word.

My particular favourite tip was the Brain Dump; a way to beat writer’s block and take your writing in a direction you might not have initially thought of. I was also pleased to see that Lynda is a fan of plain English; why use six words when one will do!

Whether you write emails or reports at work, or you just like to blog in your spare time, this book is for you and should be treated as a must-read; order yourself a copy today and put Lynda’s tips into practice the very next time you put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.

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	Title: Publisher: Association for Creative Business Writing Average review rating:   List Price: $12.95 Sale Price: $7.89 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Free Shipping Available
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Words at Work   Review Date: January 17, 2010 Reviewer: Jenny Capella, Seattle, WA USA Words at Work by Lynda McDaniel is a fabulous book. For once, a business book about documents and writing that is full of life; not dry and overwhelming! Reading this book felt like flowing along a river, and I loved every minute of the ride. One of the best things about the book is that the author herself never leaves you. My favorite books are the ones where the authors stay present through examples of their own lives and the lives of others. Then, they weave the stories and examples into their topic, gracefully. Lynda has achieved this in a way that shows her understanding and professionalism, combining the best of journalism with solid, practical business tips, techniques and writing. This book is more far reaching than even the title would suggest. I found myself taking her words to heart for other projects I am working on that, while not "about" business writing per se, have writing in them. Everyone should buy this and have it at work for their personal use and encouragement and to share with others--supervisors; peers; vendors and clients. FIVE STARS!!! Good advice; clear examples   Review Date: December 31, 2009 Reviewer: FromTheAttic, Emory, VA The author gives good advice on writing for results, emphasized by stories from her own experiences, both good and bad. She has obviously walked down this challenging path herself. She encourages readers as she has her students: Don't be discouraged by those who would thwart you if you really want to write. Her clear examples and exercises lead you through the process of improving your writing. Her message is that anyone can write, and by the time you are part-way into this book, she has made a believer out of you! (Kathy Shearer) Modern reference   Review Date: November 14, 2009 Reviewer: Emily P. Davis, Atlanta, GA USA I love to write, and I want other people to love for me to write. There. I said it. Words rock! Choosing them. Putting them in order. Learning new ones. What could be more fun?! If only enthusiasm was enough. My work did not seem to resonate with many people. Feedback from my instructors (and a couple of editors when I was brave enough to try) was scant, vague and just plain mean. My inner critic admonished, "You're fooling yourself! You'll never be a writer." Words at Work helped me reframe my negative writing experiences. Tame my "ornery editor." Excavate the constructive criticism from impatient teachers or unkind editors. (If only all that feedback had been framed in a "bad news burrito.") I've carried the shame of 8 1/2" x 11" red X's on term papers for 20 years. 20 years! Now, I choose to morph that memory into fodder for a short story. After struggling with passive voice, to learn it has a place is freeing. To recognize a "darling," admire it and delete it is empowering. Words at Work has a voice of encouragement, if not recruitment, for the writing community. With a rare combination of authority and vulnerability, Lynda McDaniel outlines the evolution of her writing life. As I moved through the chapters, I practically saw her pick up each of the tools and tips she shares. The skills are not limited to use in the workplace. Words at Work showcases words at play, too. Practical and inspirational   Review Date: November 13, 2009 Reviewer: Devon E. McLaughlin, It's comforting to know that writing isn't easy, even for an accomplished author like Lynda McDaniel. In Words at Work, McDaniel provides encouragement and inspiration with stories from her own career as a journalist and writing coach. Banish the negative talk from the "ornery editor" on your shoulder and use the simple techniques in this book to plan, edit, and polish your business writing. Look elsewhere for advice on grammar and punctuation--this book is about writing more powerfully, originally, and persuasively. Bridget's Review   Review Date: November 6, 2009 Reviewer: bridget3420, KY Are you interested in learning to write better? Even if you don't plan to be writing for a living, you should still look into Words at Work because there are several tips in there that would be helpful for any occasion. Whether you are typing up a memo at work or writing a seven hundred page novel, this book can help you to creatively write up a piece that you can be proud of. I found this book extremely helpful.
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