Based on the following three opening lines from three new bestselling books, which one would you want to read first? 1) Of all the rooms and halls and landmarks that make up the White House and its grounds, it was the West Colonnade that I loved best. For eight years that walkway would frame my day, a minute-long, open-air commute from home to office and back again. It was where each morning I felt the first slap of winter wind or pulse of summer heat; the place where I’d gather my thoughts, … [Read more...] about Which Book Would You Read First And Why?
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Should You Tell The Truth To Your UPS Person?
I don’t know the name of the guy who delivers my UPS packages. In all this time, I never asked. And he never uses my name, even though he must know it after delivering oodles of packages over the years. I wonder if it’s an unstated rule, not to address recipients by name. On my walks, his brown truck frequently passes me on the street. We enthusiastically wave at each other. He often gives me a thumbs up. We discovered years ago that both our boys were serious tennis players, and, on … [Read more...] about Should You Tell The Truth To Your UPS Person?
You Cannot Become What You Cannot See
During her sophomore year of high school, our youngest daughter shares with me that one of her girlfriends, a friend she has known since kindergarten, now identifies as male. He cuts his hair, changes his name, and updates his clothes. At first, when she, that is he, comes over to the house, I have to make a conscious effort to use the correct pronoun. Once I yell downstairs, “Do you girlies need anymore popcorn?” Realizing my blunder, I hesitate and add, “I’m sorry. I mean do YOU need more … [Read more...] about You Cannot Become What You Cannot See
Stories From the Heart
When I was in fourth grade, my aunt and two cousins came to live with us for about six months in 1973. My older cousin has an infectious laugh and smile that makes him fun to be around. One day during their stay, he and I get into it. He's a sophomore with an early schedule and is always the first one home from school, followed by me. Every day when I walk in the front door, my cousin is blasting Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” on our Sony turntable in the living room. I love … [Read more...] about Stories From the Heart
Three Ways To Use Storytelling In Your Technical Communications
This article was originally posted on Forbes. I was hooked just two minutes into the podcast. A renowned cancer specialist revealed that, although his book had won the Pulitzer Prize, he knew next to nothing about the discipline of writing. “So out of necessity,” he told Alan Alda, “I created my own rules. First: You can’t go six pages without meeting a real human character.” While still listening to the podcast, I drove straight to the nearest Barnes and Noble, bought the book The Emperor of … [Read more...] about Three Ways To Use Storytelling In Your Technical Communications