http://blog.customscoop.com/mb/2008/01/its-complex-to-write-simple-these-days-but-hemingways-rules-of-writing-can-still-work.html Helping Communicators do More with Less Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:47:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://blog.customscoop.com/mb/2008/01/its-complex-to-write-simple-these-days-but-hemingways-rules-of-writing-can-still-work.html#comment-163 Rachael Russell Thu, 21 Feb 2008 03:30:20 +0000 http://www.mediabullseye.com/?p=193#comment-163 I always enjoy your insightful and often passion-laden posts. As a communications student, I'm constantly looking for ways to improve my skills. This serves as a wonderful reminder of what's important in the PR realm, my future employer. I always enjoy your insightful and often passion-laden posts. As a communications student, I’m constantly looking for ways to improve my skills. This serves as a wonderful reminder of what’s important in the PR realm, my future employer.

]]> http://blog.customscoop.com/mb/2008/01/its-complex-to-write-simple-these-days-but-hemingways-rules-of-writing-can-still-work.html#comment-162 Nettie Hartsock Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:12:46 +0000 http://www.mediabullseye.com/?p=193#comment-162 Steve, I loved this column. Thanks for the note on my interview too. And coming from a tech journalist background I had to laugh at your Frankenquotes bit. I also really liked your "Remember the Rules! Remember, though, you still have to make it interesting, funny, mysterious, appealing, compelling, simple, short, easy-to read, easy–to-understand and … use specific keywords and phrases." It seems like that would be understood but I think it's very difficult for many folks to make a press release interesting, mysterious and funny within the structure of the press release. It's definitely a plus when one can do that because it provides an incentive for a journalist to read on past the first three sentences! I also recommend people use the online dictionary - BuzzWhack - <a href="http://www.buzzwhack.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.buzzwhack.com/</a> , (no I'm not their publicist - :>). Buzzwhack highlights all those 'gobbledygook' terms on a daily basis plus more! It's a great dictionary to use for reference, my favorite one they have up today is: Blogola: Old-fashioned payola. Used to influence bloggers to write about a given product, TV show, movie, etc. Sometimes case, but more often the "pay" comes in the form of freebies or access. In particular, TV shows flatter high-profile bloggers by inviting them to visit their sets. hmm. I'd love someone to invite me to "Pushing Daisies" set! (In case anyone is reading!) Steve,
I loved this column. Thanks for the note on my interview too. And coming from a tech journalist background I had to laugh at your Frankenquotes bit.
I also really liked your “Remember the Rules!
Remember, though, you still have to make it interesting, funny, mysterious, appealing, compelling, simple, short, easy-to read, easy–to-understand and … use specific keywords and phrases.”
It seems like that would be understood but I think it’s very difficult for many folks to make a press release interesting, mysterious and funny within the structure of the press release. It’s definitely a plus when one can do that because it provides an incentive for a journalist to read on past the first three sentences!
I also recommend people use the online dictionary – BuzzWhack – http://www.buzzwhack.com/ , (no I’m not their publicist – :>). Buzzwhack highlights all those ‘gobbledygook’ terms on a daily basis plus more!
It’s a great dictionary to use for reference, my favorite one they have up today is:
Blogola: Old-fashioned payola. Used to influence bloggers to write about a given product, TV show, movie, etc. Sometimes case, but more often the “pay” comes in the form of freebies or access. In particular, TV shows flatter high-profile bloggers by inviting them to visit their sets.
hmm. I’d love someone to invite me to “Pushing Daisies” set! (In case anyone is reading!)

]]> http://blog.customscoop.com/mb/2008/01/its-complex-to-write-simple-these-days-but-hemingways-rules-of-writing-can-still-work.html#comment-161 Sarah Wurrey Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:57:15 +0000 http://www.mediabullseye.com/?p=193#comment-161 Nathan - Vigoroug in this sense means "direct." Use words with impact, but don't weigh them down with flabby descriptive clauses and flowery language. Hope that helps! Nathan – Vigoroug in this sense means “direct.” Use words with impact, but don’t weigh them down with flabby descriptive clauses and flowery language.
Hope that helps!

]]> http://blog.customscoop.com/mb/2008/01/its-complex-to-write-simple-these-days-but-hemingways-rules-of-writing-can-still-work.html#comment-160 Nathan Ketsdever Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:27:19 +0000 http://www.mediabullseye.com/?p=193#comment-160 What does "Use vigorous English" mean? Is it as simple as use grammatically correct english? What does “Use vigorous English” mean? Is it as simple as use grammatically correct english?

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