Category: Writing

Categories
Cool Quote Writing

Rod Serling on Ideas

I have always loved the Twilight Zone.  Rod Serling is a television writing icon.  This morning, I read this article from Brain Pickings.  I love new ideas.  Be it in television, books, marketing campaigns, whatever.  I like the fact that he says it all in 1:05.  Great inspiration for the day.

“Ideas come from the Earth. They come from every human experience that you’ve either witnessed or have heard about, translated into your brain in your own sense of dialogue, in your own language form. Ideas are born from what is smelled, heard, seen, experienced, felt, emotionalized. Ideas are probably in the air, like little tiny items of ozone. That’s the easiest thing on earth, to come up with an idea.  The second thing is, the harding thing on earth is to put it down.”

Categories
Media Writing

Ken Burns on Storytelling

When I was in college, the Ken Burns baseball series was on PBS.  My best friend’s mom recorded every episode for us on VHS.  Being the big baseball fan that I am, I have watched it several times.

I love a good story.  Stories are what bring us closer.  We share in ups and downs and can be moved, shocked or disgusted at the ending.  There are bad stories and great stories.  In this short video, Ken Burns talks about the art of telling stories.  Enjoy.
Categories
Danville Writing

Wayne Crawford Remembered

Dr. Wayne Crawford

I’m sure that everyone has at least one teacher they can point their finger to and say, “He (or she) was my favorite teacher.”  For me, Wayne Crawford was that guy.  When Mr. Crawford (no disrespect to his “Dr.” designation, you will always be Mr. Crawford to me) passed away this year, I asked District 118 Superintendent , Mark Denman if they were going to do a write up of Mr. Crawford in an upcoming issue of the Maroon & White EXTRA.  He told me that they were just starting to put it together.  I asked if I could write it.

As the very last editor to serve under Mr. Crawford, I felt that it was only fitting, and the least that I could do, to honor him.  I want to thank all the past students of his that contributed to the article.  I know that it’s a small slice of the students that he influenced.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.  The link to the article is below, its in a pdf format.

Mr Crawford MW article

 

Categories
Productivity Writing

I love you….Whiteboard!

DSC_0055.JPG A man can love a a piece of office equipment, can’t he? I mean guys have a favorite chair, an old calculator, a pen, right? Well, my secret love (I guess it’s not so secret now.) is my whiteboard.

I installed a new one today in my home office. And, at the risk of sounding like a recovering alcoholic, My name is Keith and it’s been 3 years since my last whiteboard. “Hi, Keith.” When I opened my office in April 2006, I decided not to install a whiteboard. I had used one in my office since I began my career in 1995. I was always more comfortable standing and writing on my board than scribbling on a notepad at the desk. I’m such a more visual person when explaining something, that it was a natural fit.

To be honest, I don’t remember why I didn’t put one up. Maybe I thought I had graduated from it. I was an “independant advisor” now and growns up don’t us whiteboards. I guess I didn’t realize how wrong I was. If I need to explain something to a client I use a notepad, but write so freaking big on the paper that I look like a 1st grader. I’m over compensating for my lack of a whiteboard, I know that now. (The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.)

While I still don’t have one at my office, it’s a safe bet that after falling off the wagon, one will be installed this week.

Categories
Writing

I'm humbled, thank you.

This post if purely a “Thank You”. I have been encouraged by everyone that has sent me an email, comment, IM, or note through Facebook that they have enjoyed my blog entries. Nothing like keeping the pressure on me to write more, but I’m up for the challenge.

If it makes it easier on you, please take a minute and subscribe to my feed by clicking the Subscribe button at the top of the page.

Thanks again for the encouragement, it has been welcomed and it’s greatly appreciated.