by Kim on October 24, 2011
Just a quick post today, to remind all of you writers – whether fiction is your game, or non-fiction, that Google Alerts are really wonderful! They allow you to monitor the Internet for interesting new content on absolutely any topic. Go to: http://www.google.com/alerts, to set up your alerts. You can have them delivered to your email inbox in “real-time” or as I do – a daily digest of material. You can even set it for weekly delivery.
The days of thumbing card catalogs in local libraries are long over. Ah, I’m showing my age, aren’t I? This “blast from the past is from Cornell University article, dating from 2007, marking the retirement of their card catalogs. At least your back doesn’t get as tired when you use Google Alerts! Anyone have any other Internet-based research suggestions to share? 
by Kim on September 28, 2011
Writer’s Digest published an online article just yesterday, 7 Ways to Perfect Your Tone. As a non-fiction writer, I’ve found that getting the tone right is essential – and am often compromised by my academic bend. Readers don’t necessarily want that scholarly approach, do they? Right now I’m working on a book for a client on How to Market Professional Services on LinkedIn, and you can bet your bottom dollar that the work I produce needs to have solid, practical information, delivered in a light, enjoyable tone.
So, what are the 7 ways to perfect your tone? Here they are:
AVOID A PREDICTABLE TREATMENT OF YOUR SUBJECT.
KEEP TONE CONSISTENT FROM START TO FINISH.
CUT RUTHLESSLY.
LET TENSION SUSTAIN TONE.
CONVEY TONE THROUGH DETAILS AND DESCRIPTIONS.
LEARN TO RECOGNIZE BUILT-IN PROBLEMS WITH TONE.
But, the most important one, in my opinion, is their #5: USE YOUR VOICE. You and I know that authentic voice is essential to a well-written blog, article, essay, novella, or book. It’s also important for that M.A. Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation. Never be afraid to be who you are, in person, or on paper.
To add some dimension to their 7 ways, be sure to read the article.
