In which the writer gets in the way

The writing shouldn’t come between the reader and what’s being described. And the writer shouldn’t get in the way, like a small petulant child tugging at your elbow: “Look, look at this. Let me show you something.” Look at the following sentences, all of which contain...

How to be a business: not a cliche

Failing to look at what your competitors are up to can trigger the ‘looky-likey’ trap. Signs that you are hurting your business by resorting to stereotypes include: If you are a hairdresser or beauty salon you will ‘listen to what our customers want’, always offer an...

Brevity is the soul of wit

I’m reminded of the sticker by Glasgow artist, David Shrigley. Simply says: ‘You can’t help looking at this’ Or a sign on a cake display ‘Remember fly pies? Eccles cakes £2.99’. Sometimes less is more: Stop being polite. Get to the point. Put the main point first when...