Less is more (said the maximalist)

Oct 26

2 min read

Thanks for opening this email! I truly appreciate your time.

A 1.5-minute read; a 3-minute listen

Hi from the banded woolly bear caterpillars thanking you for letting autumn leaves sit and provide protection. (Are you familiar with the lore that the width of their bands predicts the winter weather?)

A banded woolly bear caterpillar (photo from ownyardlife.com)

If you’re ready to start looking at editors for your writing, congratulations! Yay you. Here are some who were recommended in our co-writing group: Nathan Whitlock, Alex Schultz, Amanda Lewis, Sarah Selecky, Claire Ross Dunn, Heather Sangster; and specifically for romance: Lopt and Cropt. Are there any names you would add to this list?

Three (okay, four) free solids*

Less is more! As writer Claire Ross Dunn puts it, “Get in late, and get out early.” While I think of it as good party advice, Claire was referring to writing scenes: “Instead of showing the woman pulling up in the driveway, unloading her groceries, and carrying them into the house, start the scene with the moment she flings a zucchini across the room, narrowly missing her partner’s head.” Get the action in, and hop out leaving folks wanting more. This applies to writing of all kinds, including newselette
Try to keep to one (and only one) call to action (CTA) per post. Possibly two in a newsletter, but the fewer the better, so people don’t have to choose, or get overwhelmed. “Buy my book,” OR “sign up for my newsletter,” OR “hit reply and tell me all about ....”
What are the clear benefits of signing up for your newsletter? Insights, freebies, insider knowledge, helpful tips, scandalous tea, garlic tips and tricks, etc. Make it clear, and let people know what to expect. Then try to adhere to that—with some diversions, of course.
Start planning your newsletter in advance (LOL!!!*), and tease it on socials: ‘In my next newsletter, I’ll be interviewing Benedict Cummerbund, and giving you four-and-a-half tips on how to become taller.’

*As ever, I am the reigning star of Do As I Say and Not As I Do.

Need a hand with any of these? Book a how-do-you-do (it) call with me. :)

And now, three pics for your amusement and intrigue.

Today was municipal voting day in Ontario; I have a new idea: if you don't vote, you don't have access to municipal services. These are Japanese anemones: pretty, and pretty aggressive. The sticker machine at Lady Lou Collective, a gift shop in town. It's fun and nostalgic experience, and the stickers are changed seasonally: great marketing!