I am constantly looking to improve my writing, and have been struggling with attaining just the right amount of crisp, clean prose while maintaining punch and a flowing cadence. This is my ever-elusive goal. Frustrated by my bang-head-against-wall approach lately, I had a late night/early morning conversation with James Chartrand of Men with Pens yesterday about the issue. (I asked James for help because that’s kind of guy he is. He’s passionate about his profession, cares deeply for others, and is an all-around nice guy. But don’t spread it around that I said that!)
The Wheels Start to Turn
During our email conversation, I began thinking about what other professional writers do to evolve their writing. How do they achieve their writing goals? What motivates them to excel in their craft?
Harebrained Ideas Always Begin After Midnight
So late last night, I came up with a harebrained idea: I would interview top bloggers with distinctive writing styles that others emulate. Whom did I contact? Well, that’s the crazy part. I emailed bloggers like Sean Platt, Darren Rowse, Susan Johnston, Sonia Simone, Bob Younce, and Tom Chandler. Then, a crazy thing happened- they agreed to my interview! (I emailed a few other interesting surprise personalities, too!)
Let the Brain Picking Begin!
I am champing at the bit to read these exceptional writers’ answers! Keep an eye out in the next few days as the responses to my mini-interviews come in as the bloggers’ schedules allow. I will post them, unedited, giving you a chance to pick the brains of top bloggers in the online copywriting and freelance industries.
Does this sound like fun to you? If you would like to see responses from a particular blogging favorite, drop us a line and we’ll see what we can do!
Let the brain picking begin!





I heard that Sean guy is kind of a curmudgeon. Did you have to offer him pizza or anything?
Writer Dads last blog post..I’d Be an Idiot If I Didn’t Listen
I heard that Sean guy is kind of a curmudgeon. Did you have to offer him pizza or anything?
Writer Dads last blog post..I’d Be an Idiot If I Didn’t Listen
You know, I offered him my first born son, but he turned me down, muttering something about kids up to his eyeballs. Instead, we worked out a deal where we trade cold hard cash, glowing compliments, and free babysitting.
Curmudgeon? More like irascible and cantankerous, but only before coffee. After that, he’s as mellow as a VW Bug.
You know, I offered him my first born son, but he turned me down, muttering something about kids up to his eyeballs. Instead, we worked out a deal where we trade cold hard cash, glowing compliments, and free babysitting.
Curmudgeon? More like irascible and cantankerous, but only before coffee. After that, he’s as mellow as a VW Bug.
Hey, there’s free babysitting with this gig? Now *that* gets my interest.
Sonia Simones last blog post..Objection Blaster Series #3: Dakara Nani? (So What?)
Jamie,
Sneaky and clever. Looking forward to the interviews.
Regards,
Kelly
Kellys last blog post..Only One Candidate Can Give You Speaking Tips This Fresh!
Jamie,
Sneaky and clever. Looking forward to the interviews.
Regards,
Kelly
Kellys last blog post..Only One Candidate Can Give You Speaking Tips This Fresh!
@ Sonia Yep, I have lots of Amish neighbors. I’ll throw some black clothes on your kids, drop them off down the road, and they’ll fit right in.
@ Sonia Yep, I have lots of Amish neighbors. I’ll throw some black clothes on your kids, drop them off down the road, and they’ll fit right in.
@ Kelly There’s just something about sleep deprivation that either makes me a genius or a lunatic. This happened to be a genius moment. Stay tuned for the lunacy.
@ Kelly There’s just something about sleep deprivation that either makes me a genius or a lunatic. This happened to be a genius moment. Stay tuned for the lunacy.
An excellent idea. You’ve picked some good ones, too! I’m looking forward to reading the resulting post since I “know” the work of several of these bloggers already
and always look to improve my stuff also.
Hmm…if good ideas come after midnight, does that mean we all need to stay up later?
An excellent idea. You’ve picked some good ones, too! I’m looking forward to reading the resulting post since I “know” the work of several of these bloggers already
and always look to improve my stuff also.
Hmm…if good ideas come after midnight, does that mean we all need to stay up later?
@ B K I’ve always been a night owl, so it works for me. Others may find themselves drooling on the keyboard and writing drivel by 2 A.M. But, if you have kids, this can occur during daylight hours, so it’s a toss up.
@ B K I’ve always been a night owl, so it works for me. Others may find themselves drooling on the keyboard and writing drivel by 2 A.M. But, if you have kids, this can occur during daylight hours, so it’s a toss up.
I can’t wait. What great idea.
Janice Cartiers last blog post..Even Before Coffee
I can’t wait. What great idea.
Janice Cartiers last blog post..Even Before Coffee
Hey, there's free babysitting with this gig? Now *that* gets my interest.
<abbr>Sonia Simones last blog post..Objection Blaster Series #3: Dakara Nani? (So What?)</abbr>