Joanne Fritz reports (important links are included):
"Grant writing is not for the faint of heart. It takes a genius for research and organization, the organizational skills of a report writer, plus those of a master [storyteller]...Writing a grant proposal should not be a one-shot experiment. You don't write a grant proposal...you write many grant proposals...Grant writing begins long before you actually have a grant to write. Your primary tool is information...Looking for appropriate organizations that might fund your grant can be overwhelming. Cut it down to size with a system...If you've been having trouble getting your grants funded, you might be forgetting the human element in [grantseeking]...Most grant applications require the same basic information. Many [grantmaking] organizations have their own proposal/application forms, although a few may only give you some basic guidelines...Writing a grant proposal can be daunting, and the information that you've gathered can look overwhelming. But there are some tried and true guidelines to keep in mind as you prepare for and write that proposal." For a bit of historical trivia in observance of the Fourth of July, as you'll find (according to scholars) from reading through the chronology of events surrounding the Declaration of Independence, today is the actual day Congress declared independence, whereas the document itself wasn't signed until a month later and the Fourth of July is when Congress adopted it.
Having said that, in the spirit of the Fourth of July, if you're a legal writer and seeking to improve your skills in this area, Sally Kane has seven tips for you: "Although mastering legal writing skills takes time and practice, superior writing skills are essential to success...Every word you write should be tailored to the needs of the reader. Documents that embody the same research and message may vary greatly in content and tone based on the document’s intended audience...Always keep your audience in mind when crafting any piece of writing...Organization is the key to successful legal writing. Create a roadmap for your writing by using visual clues to guide the reader...Limit each paragraph to one topic and sum up your message with a concluding sentence or paragraph. Organizational structure guides the reader through your text and promotes readability...Ditch unnecessary legalese and other jargon in favor of the clear and simple. To avoid legalese and promote clarity, try reading your sentence to a colleague or substituting abstract words with simple, concrete terms...Every word you write should contribute to your message. Omit extraneous words, shorten complex sentences, eliminate redundancies and keep it simple...Omitting unnecessary words helps clarify the meaning of the sentence and adds impact...Action words make your legal prose more powerful, dynamic and vivid. Add punch to your writing with verbs that bring your prose to life...Passive voice disguises responsibility for an act by eliminating the subject of the verb. Active voice, on the other hand, tells the reader who is doing the acting and clarifies your message...Edit your writing ruthlessly, omitting unnecessary words and rewriting for clarity. Careful proofreading is particularly important in legal writing." Lou Bortone reports:
"Over 80% of the population wants to write a book someday. However, only 1% will ever attempt it. That's a huge opportunity for ghostwriting! So, if you're a freelance writer, chances are you can make a lot more money as a ghostwriter. Even if you're not a writer, but an expert in your field, you can still profit handsomely as a ghostwriter...Most clients who are going to invest significant money to have a book ghostwritten are going to want a recommendation or referral from a trusted source. That's why it's so important to begin to build your network and get the word out about your ghostwriting services...Use your current skills and experience. If you're [a] career coach, then you're already [well-positioned] to write for a client who wants a career book. If you've got a background writing sports features, you'd be a great ghostwriter for a sports figure. The same goes [for] if you've got any experience in health care, law or general business...If you're a freelance writer, then you've already got editorial connections and contacts at various publications. Use those current 'clients' to get referrals for potential ghostwriting clients and opportunities...Writing websites and freelance sites are another great route to ghostwriting gigs. Sign up on sites like these and check their many freelance job listings, online forums and resources...Business leaders and executives are perfect candidates for [ghostwriting] clients. Use your business contacts and network to find CEOs and other business leaders who may be ready to write their book...Visit writer's sites such as WritersDigest.com, WritersMarket.com or Mediabistro.com. These and other sites provide resources, classes, links and info to get your writing on the fast track. In addition, be sure to launch your own website or blog to market your services...Fellow writers and ghostwriters are also a great source of leads and referrals...[B]uddy up with fellow writers and offer to take on their 'extra' clients. You could even offer a finder's fee to the writer you 'sub-contract' with." |
Writing and editing can be pretty rigorous processes if you want to do them well, but that's what this page is here for. Check out the latest tips here. Archives
May 2024
CategoriesJ.D. Parsons
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