SmithWriting Blog

Over the years, my dog, Riley, has taught me a lot about life, love, and yes, even writing. Resting here on my office floor, she’s been with me through countless copywriting assignments, phone interviews, and research sessions—heck, she knows the business so well that if she had opposable digits, I’d hire her!

Here are some of valuable lessons I’ve learned about writing from my dog:

Stick to a schedule.

Riley wakes up at the same time every day and follows the exact same schedule: walk, eat, nap, play, walk again, eat again, sleep. Like dogs, we humans thrive on routine. Even though my life as a freelancer is quite flexible, I follow Riley’s lead and set and adhere to a schedule every day. It makes me a much more productive writer.

Listen and be rewarded.

Riley learned this one pretty early on in life. If she sat when we told her to, she’d get a treat. If she stayed when we told her to, she’d get a treat. You get the picture. This concept applies to writers too: If you listen to your clients’ needs and objectives, you, too, will be rewarded in the form of repeat business and client referrals.

Be loyal.

That mutt of mine is exceedingly faithful to me (and my husband). After three years, she still gets really excited to see us every time we come home. It’s a great feeling. Likewise, we freelancer writers should be loyal to our clients. Always answer the phone. Reply to emails right away. Be enthusiastic. And don’t give anything less than 100 percent to every project you take on.

Protect what’s yours.

For the most part, Riley is very sweet and easygoing. However, if another dog tries to take her food or her bone—or her owners’ attention—the hair on the back of her neck goes up and the growling starts. The lesson I learned here is to actively safeguard your writing, your clients, and your reputation. If someone gets too close for comfort, show some teeth.

Be curious.

We have a stone wall on our property that houses an elaborate network of chipmunk tunnels. They’re constantly going in one space and popping out another. This amuses Riley to no end. She just can’t get enough of these mysterious critters, and her eagerness to learn more about them is a great lesson for us all: Ask lots of questions, search for facts everywhere, and keep peeping in those dark holes. You just never know what might pop out at you.

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Filed by rebecca at 12:00 pm under Copywriting
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Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough gave the commencement address at Boston College earlier this week.

I admire McCullough and his work very much. I just read “1776” earlier this year and I loved it. So I was very interested to hear what he had to say to this crop of talented graduates.

I was not disappointed—in fact, I felt vindicated. You see, McCullough’s advice to young men and women entering the real world was this: Speak better.

Specifically, he wants people to stop using such words and phrases as “like,” “actually,” and “you know” so prevalently. As in: “I’m, like, an awesome candidate for the job, you know, because I have the right experience, actually.”

Would you hire someone who talks like that? Would you want someone whose every other word is “like” to represent your organization? I know I wouldn’t.

The notion of the deterioration of the English language—in conversation as well as in print—is a very real one with serious repercussions in business and society.

I think we should all listen to McCullough and start speaking properly. Together, we can set a good example for future generations.

Like, you know?

Filed by rebecca at 12:01 pm under For the love of words
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Like most writers I know, I’m a passionate reader. I read to relax, to learn, and to be inspired. And I believe that every book I’ve ever read has in some way made me a better copywriter.

I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite titles. I hope you’ll share yours as a comment (below).

“The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson”

edited by Thomas H. Johnson
This was my textbook from an Emily Dickinson seminar I took in college. Its pages are yellowed and riddled with notes, and the binding is broken from so much use. I take something different away from every reading, but what moves me most is Dickinson’s veneration for flowers, gardening, and all things botanical.

“Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation”

by Lynne Truss
My friend Jayne loaned me this book back when we were creating and editing Web site copy together. The entire time I was reading it, I remember thinking to myself, “So I’m not the only one who feels this way about commas.” It emboldened my love of grammar and inspired me to become a copywriter. And it made me laugh. A lot.

“A Prayer for Owen Meany”

by John Irving
I first read this novel in 1999, and I’ve read it pretty much every year since. It’s forever changed the way I interpret dreams (and act at baseball games when there’s a pop-up foul). Owen Meany is my all-time favorite literary character, and, in spite of myself, I have to give props to Irving for his ingenious use of the Caps Lock key.

“A Child’s Garden of Verses”

by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by Tasha Tudor
My dad gave me this book when I was 7 years old. After reading it at bedtime, I’d fall asleep and dream of fairies and wildflowers. From the moment I saw it, I was mesmerized by its fanciful poems and exquisite illustrations—and I still am today.

What about you? What are your favorite books?

Filed by rebecca at 9:19 am under Copywriting, For the love of words
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Are you having trouble coming up with a creative concept, a perfect paragraph, or a striking subhead?

Then take my advice: Take a break.

When I’m feeling blocked, I head outside and weed my garden or walk my dog. Mindless, repetitive tasks like these seem to spark great ideas in me. And I’m amazed at how often I’ll work late into the night, struggling with a project, only to wake up the next morning with the perfect copy solution.

Apparently, even though my conscious mind is happily numb while I garden, walk, and sleep, my subconscious is diligently working out my copy issues. How cool is that?

So next time you’re faced with a copywriting challenge, instead of banging your head on the keyboard, get up and do something else. The more mindless, the better.

Just remember: Naps are not billable to your client.

Filed by rebecca at 9:24 am under Copywriting
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Did you see “30 Rock” last night?

As always, Judah Friedlander’s character, Frank (a writer), was sporting a clever trucker cap.

The hat, which read “SPELING EXPIRT,” made me laugh out loud.

My husband promptly looked at me and said, “I’m getting you that hat.” I honestly hope he does because I think it’s awesome.

The hat shows that even we writers—the self-proclaimed “expirts” of all things grammar and spelling—can make a mistake every now and again.

And not only that, we’ve got a great sense of humor—and fabulous fashion sense.

Filed by rebecca at 9:14 am under Copywriting, Grammar guide
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