Category: Writing

Cross-pollinate ideas.

Ranjani, July 20, 2020June 10, 2023

As writers, the world around us is inspiration. Every little thing — even if ah-mayzingly irritating — is good fodder for something else in the future. Keeping an eye out is the first step to finding inspiration.

Writing

The one thing about writing that trips me up: Tenses

Ranjani, July 17, 2020June 10, 2023

In your profession, have you spent years getting good at something, but always trip over that one little mole?

Workplace behaviour

Exclamation marks — how many is too many in an email?

Ranjani, July 14, 2020June 10, 2023

A friend of mine wrote to me recently saying that her husband was called out by a colleague in another country for using “too many exclamation marks”. What is the etiquette on this, she asked.

Writing

If you’re a writer, read.

Ranjani, June 25, 2020June 10, 2023

A writer who says, “I don’t have time to read” isn’t investing enough on their craft.

Freelancing

Why I don’t do free trials anymore.

Ranjani, June 21, 2020June 10, 2023

Those who ask for free trials are generally those who don’t care. They don’t want to bear any risk. They don’t want to invest in a relationship. They are not willing to participate as equal partners to make this project work.

Workplace behaviour

Write a good email subject line.

Ranjani, June 19, 2020June 10, 2023

In essence, use the subject line like an executive summary of the email.

Freelancing

How many hours does it take to write 8 pages of website copy?

Ranjani, June 17, 2020June 10, 2023

Well, it goes without saying that if you can avoid it, don’t charge by the hour. But the larger point I’m making here is: It takes so much longer to do something than you think it does.

Writing