Pat Iyer’s Blog
Writing Skills
What’s Your Type?
When I write about errors in manuscripts, I usually focus on punctuation, spelling, and grammar because those are my favorite kinds of errors, meaning that I love correcting them. Literary agents, publishers, and readers notice these errors, and variations in type,...
Readers Make Better Writers
I always loved reading more than almost any other activity. It’s no coincidence that my siblings are also avid readers. I believe this habit made us better writers. Our mother instilled the love of reading in us. Whenever any of us complained about boredom, she said,...
Why Do You Need a Good Vocabulary?
Writers, especially those who are just beginning to write regularly, think that having a good vocabulary means knowing a lot of long, obscure words. What, they rightly ask, is the point of learning words no one will understand? Who wants to read a blog or other piece...
Write Your Story – Something AI Cannot Do
While AI can't write your story, that doesn’t mean it can’t write any stories. You could tell it to write something showing that crime doesn’t pay or to give you ideas for writing that kind of story. But would that be your story? This question takes the debate about...
Can AI Hurt You?
Can AI hurt you? Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of everyone’s life. The news media covers it extensively, and every writers’ publication I receive has at least one article about the topic per issue. Those who love technology are thrilled by the...
When You Can’t Write to Keep Your Reader’s Attention
I’m sure you’ve had the experience of listening to someone give a speech or presentation and found yourself losing interest. The subject may interest you; it may be one you want to know more about, but you can’t keep your attention on the speaker. The same thing...
Buyer Beware: Seller Take Care
The buyer beware thinking is yielding to the need for the seller to take care to avoid unhappy clients. If you are a Latin speaker (who is?) you'd say caveat emptor. The phrase describes the concept in contract law that places the burden of due diligence on the buyer...
Show Off Your Expertise with a Top Notch Website
Do you know how to show off your expertise? Having a top-notch website is crucial. You might be the most brilliant business owner, but how will your market know it? Do you blog about your expertise? Do you share advice in a select group of private forums? Of course,...
Write Intriguing Email Subject Lines
With email inboxes getting ever more crowded, you must snag the attention of your reader – and quickly. First, they look at who sent them the email, and then, they look at the email subject line. Here are 5 attention-getting tactics for email subject lines. 1. The...
How to Create Content by Speaking
Maybe writing isn’t your genius. Don’t let that stop you when you want to create content. As a ghostwriter, I’ve had people come to me, saying that they would love to write a book, but they can’t write. Sadly, they may blame themselves for what they perceive as a...
Recent Posts
Make the Most of Your Writing Time
One of the most frequent complaints of my writing students and clients is “I don’t have enough time. How do …Read More »
Inner Critic or Inner Guide: Who is Talking
At any stage of my writing, I may hear an inner critic, a voice that says things like, “No, that …Read More »
What’s Your Type?
When I write about errors in manuscripts, I usually focus on punctuation, spelling, and grammar because those are my favorite …Read More »
Readers Make Better Writers
I always loved reading more than almost any other activity. It’s no coincidence that my siblings are also avid readers. …Read More »
Why Do You Need a Good Vocabulary?
Writers, especially those who are just beginning to write regularly, think that having a good vocabulary means knowing a lot …Read More »