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Average Customer Review
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
A rare gem that inspires, instructs, and entertains!, August 24, 2009
This review is from: Words at Work: Powerful business writing delivers increased sales, improved results, and even a promotion or two. A veteran writing coach shows you how. (Paperback)
A must-have for anyone who aspires to be a better writer -- whether it's to improve your performance on the job, land a better job, create snappier copy for your website, or write everyday communications without embarrassing yourself (or your company).
This is NOT a grammar book or a dry-as-dust business textbook. Words @ Work breaks new ground by showing you how to overcome "writer's block" and organize your thoughts before your start writing. Then, once you've released a free flow of ideas, the book guides you through an editing process that shapes your message into an effective finished draft.
What surprised me was how entertaining and inspiring this book is. Lynda McDaniel uses stories from her own working and writing life to illustrate each chapter's key concept -- whether it's about unleashing your creativity, or learning to avoid "corporatespeak" to find your authentic writing voice. It's as if Strunk and White's "The Elements of Style" merged with Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" to create something quite fresh: a guide to using your creative ("right-brain") powers to write more effectively in a rational ("left-brained") business world.
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Words at Work, January 17, 2010
This review is from: Words at Work: Powerful business writing delivers increased sales, improved results, and even a promotion or two. A veteran writing coach shows you how. (Paperback)
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!!!
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Good advice; clear examples, December 30, 2009
This review is from: Words at Work: Powerful business writing delivers increased sales, improved results, and even a promotion or two. A veteran writing coach shows you how. (Paperback)
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)
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Modern reference, November 13, 2009
This review is from: Words at Work: Powerful business writing delivers increased sales, improved results, and even a promotion or two. A veteran writing coach shows you how. (Paperback)
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.
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Practical and inspirational, November 13, 2009
This review is from: Words at Work: Powerful business writing delivers increased sales, improved results, and even a promotion or two. A veteran writing coach shows you how. (Paperback)
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.
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Bridget's Review, November 6, 2009
This review is from: Words at Work: Powerful business writing delivers increased sales, improved results, and even a promotion or two. A veteran writing coach shows you how. (Paperback)
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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Must-Read for Becoming Stronger Writer, October 18, 2009
This review is from: Words at Work: Powerful business writing delivers increased sales, improved results, and even a promotion or two. A veteran writing coach shows you how. (Paperback)
Research tells us that the number one skill to succeed in the work world is the ability to communicate. Lynda McDaniel shows us how to become a stronger business writer. Her book is one of the best resources I've found anywhere. Thank you, Lynda!
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Great Work Tool, September 10, 2009
This review is from: Words at Work: Powerful business writing delivers increased sales, improved results, and even a promotion or two. A veteran writing coach shows you how. (Paperback)
Words @ Work
Association For Creative Business Writing, ISBN 0-615-30426-5
Price $13.99
Words @ Work is exactly what is says it is, words to be used by professionals in the work environment. McDaniel is a writer and coach and she uses her experience to guide reluctant writers through the pitfalls of poor construction, etiquette and grammar. If you are in business in any capacity that requires written communication, your creation is your calling card, your introduction and ultimately, your resume. In this day of email and instant messages, many of us will never meet the person on the other side. In fact we may never even talk to them on a telephone. You will be judged solely on your written word.
As a professional, I have had the opportunity to read and use the wisdom from many self help books and the key is finding one that is timely, doesn't demean and is immediately useful. McDaniel achieves this by teaching you the process from beginning to end, including the little used rough draft and self-critique. In order to become a good writer, you need to become your audience. McDaniel shows you how to see your writing through the eyes of others, how to target your audience and how to make more out of less.
I found her insight, experience and teaching style a very nice blend. Whether you are just starting out, well seasoned or just wondering if your style is helping or hurting, Words @ Work will give you the answer. It is a great desk reference that I completely recommend.
Reviewed by Allbooks reviewer Gregory J. Saunders
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Valuable Resource, August 27, 2009
This review is from: Words at Work: Powerful business writing delivers increased sales, improved results, and even a promotion or two. A veteran writing coach shows you how. (Paperback)
I just got the book yesterday and what's wonderful about it is how grounded in real-life experience it is. No hocus-pocus or hokum. It's going to be very valuable resource for those who want to improve their business and professional writing. And it was a nice refresher for me too! (I'm a professional writer/editor)
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