Authors just need to know how to write, right? Well, actually writing is a business just like any other. It requires various skills including communication skills. An author needs to be part of the marketing process even if he or she has a publisher: book signings, selling his next novel to the publisher. And an author needs to know how to be a great guest on a radio or tv show! My friend Felice Gerwitz over at Media Angels is hosting a series of seminars for authors on the various skills needed to be a successful author these days. I'll be teaching about the communication skills an author needs on Thursday, April 15th at 8am PST/11am EST. Her seminar on...
Euphemisms and political correctness have permeated our language leaving our communication bereft of all meaning! We are so concerned with not offending that we end up saying nothing of consequence and are beginning to sound like we are all speaking legalese! Often we expend so much energy, not to mention verbiage, in order to make the simple almost unintelligible: Once (but perhaps more times than I am aware of. For I am not counting myself among the gurus on the subject) upon a time, there lived three vertically-challenged, pink mammals with a reputation for gluttony. The first (though he was only first in order, not necessarily in preference) vertically-challenged, pink mammal with a reputation for gluttony made his warm seasonal...
I've said this here on Communication FUNdamentals before. President Obama is an accomplished speaker when he delivers a prepared speech. However, when he speaks off the cuff, he tends to get a little flustered. When answering or even anticipating tough questions, the President has been side tracked and even stuck his foot in his mouth. In fact, there are several websites that are now tracking his miscommunication. Though his health care bill has already passed, so many Americans are unhappy with it that the President feels the need to 'sell it' to the people after the fact. According to several articles, President Obama has been talking in circles. This article reports his record-setting run on sentence which I feel is...
The political climate is heating up even more since the health care bill passed. I understand that an overwhelming majority of the American people want it repealed. People are angry at the process that was used to get this bill passed as well as the fact that it did pass. I don't agree with what the President and Democrats have done either, but this is NOT the way to persuade your case! I've been preaching about speaking in grace and with respect for YEARS, especially when it comes to political and religious issues. Not only is speaking with respect, godly and morally right, it's simply more effective. Notice how he puts his hand on the shoulder of those he tries...
In honor of Good Friday, I am posting one of my favorite songs, Via Dolorosa by Sandi Patty with scenes from The Passion of the Christ. The two in combination are so incredibly moving. This video communicates the sheer love of Jesus to go through this for us.
Have a blessed Resurrection SONday from your friends at Art of Eloquence.com
