Matthew Arnold Stern's Blog, page 70
August 16, 2012
It’s OK to change your mind
I decided to stop work on a movie script that wasn’t turning out right. It was supposed to be a comedy, but it was becoming too serious, and I was becoming disenchanted with the characters and plot. So, I chose to leave the unfinished script on my hard disk and to pick up another story …
August 11, 2012
Why optimism is practical
I’ve been accused of being overly optimistic. The other day, an engineer asked me for an estimate to complete a document. I told him I would have it ready the next day. He was puzzled. “Are you sure you can really finish it that quickly?” I assured him I could. Not only did I finish …
August 7, 2012
An answer to a question
Jason Ross Jordan provided an excellent answer to one of my daily table topic questions: So, what is a moment when you decided to “go for the gold” in your life? If you want a daily table topic, follow me on Twitter at @maswriter. To learn how to answer table topics like these and get …
How To Write How Tos
Adding “how to” to a title attracts people to blogs, articles, and books. People usually search the Web for solutions to problems or ways to do things better. So, how do you write a “how to”? Here are some simple steps from my experience writing “how tos” as a technical writer. 1. Pick a specific …
August 1, 2012
What Lewis Black can teach you about being funny
Many of you visit my site for tips on adding humor to your speeches. You can learn by watching great comedians. My favorite is Lewis Black. I don’t advise you to use his jokes in your speeches because (a.) most of his material isn’t safe for work, and (b.) you shouldn’t use anyone else’s jokes …
July 28, 2012
Getting “Up Close and Personal” about the Olympics
Jolly good show, London! One must be hopelessly cynical or so caught up in the politics of the event not to be moved by the Olympics. The images of athletes from around the world, some from countries at war with each, gathering together in a mostly peaceful celebration of sport. The spectacle, the inspirational stories, …
July 22, 2012
“What if you hadn’t become a writer?”
Thirty five years ago this week, I decided to become a writer. From the moment I made the decision, the path opened up for me. I met Darlene Loiler, the high school English teacher who inspired me to pursue writing. I joined my school’s creative writing magazine and newspaper. The decision led me to a …
July 21, 2012
In reply…
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July 20, 2012
How to exit gracefully
This post was inspired by the less-than-graceful departure of a colleague at work. Although this person had reasons for leaving that way, it’s better in the long run to exit gracefully. By doing so, you can preserve your reputation and maintain relationships you may need later. Even if you have no desire to work with …
July 16, 2012
Words and music
When I sang in the Reseda High School Vocal Ensemble in the late 1970s, I got to perform with some very talented people. Some of them, like Perry Lambert, Jeff Marsh, and Catherine Fries Vaughn, continue to perform and create music professionally. As for me, my singing is limited to showers and whenever I want …
