Writing useful and compelling digital copy is not an act of magic or divine intervention, and it's certainly not a feature of your word processor or content management system. Scott believes anyone can--and everyone should--develop a personal process to make writing easier, more enjoyable, and more successful.
Scott's presentation breaks the unwieldy concept of "writing" down into four phases: thinking, composing, editing, and finishing. He'll demonstrate tools for managing each component and teach you when and how to use them. Add your favorite software and techniques to a personal toolbox and leave prepared to do great work on your next writing assignment.
This presentation was delivered at Web 2013 at Penn State University. Additional annotations have been added for context.
Beginners Guide to TikTok for Search - Rachel Pearson - We are Tilt __ Bright...
Build Your Digital Writing Toolbox
1. Scott Kubie - Web 2013 at Penn State
Build Your Digital
Writing Toolbox #writingtoolbox
Hello! I’m a note added just for YOU,the web reader. I add in contextthat was provided verbally duringthe original presentation.
6. add a bit in here (maybe a
thought bubble type
thing) that gets at the
common objections to
writing. not creative. i’m
not a writer. not giving
themselves time to
think.
Photo by Flickr user Lee Bennett http://flic.kr/p/92x4fk
When the check engine light comes
on, something’s wrong with the car,
not you. Same goes for your writing.
7. applying tools and
processes to accomplish
your work
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
BASICALLY...
WORKFLOW
The problem might lie
with your workflow.
8. applying tools and
processes to accomplish
your work
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
BASICALLY...
WORKFLOW
(strategic)
The problem might lie
with your workflow.
19. !
TOOL
Major Mistake:
Not plugging
them in
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
Translation: you have to really learn your software
tools. Get into the preferences and power it up!
31. Thinking Composing
Editing Finishing
How do you improve
your writing and
correct errors?
How do you represent
your thinking?
What tools and
techniques do you use
while writing?
32. Thinking Composing
Editing Finishing
How do you improve
your writing and
correct errors?
How do you represent
your thinking?
What tools and
techniques do you use
while writing?
How do you go from a
finished draft to a
finished assignment?
40. “
Data! Data! Data!
I can’t make
bricks without
clay.
- Sherlock Freaking Holmes
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
as written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
42. I’m not writing it down to
remember it later. I’m writing
it down to remember it now.
- Field Notes Motto
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
Ubiquitous Capture
51. Work Journal
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
Attended status
meeting
Published draft to files3
directory: [url]
Chat w/ John in hallway
re: project status
52. Day One (OS X / iOS)
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
55. Ubiquitous Capture
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
Image via http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielcornejo/
Think of your brain like a bingo
spinner. Each ball is an idea. You
have to pull them out one at a
time until you get your Bingo.
61. ?What about
brainstorming?
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolboxWriting by committee is worse than designby committee.
Writing is an individual activity. You cangenerate ideas in a group, sure, but oneperson still has to write it.
69. KEY COMMANDS
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
⌘+← or ⌘+➝ - Move one word (CTRL
+ arrow in Windows)
⌥+← or ⌥+➝ - Beginning or end of
line
⌘+A - Select all text
⌘+C - Copy selected text
⌘+V - Paste selected text
71. TK (to come)
Reports are coming in of a massive zoo-
break. Over TK elephants and TK
monkeys have escaped their enclosures.
Zookeeper Roscoe TK-last-name-TK
described the scene as “completely
bananas”.
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
Fill in the facts later. Don’t lose momentum!
77. --
Scott Kubie
Content strategy, UX design.
My email address is
scott@scottkubie.com.
Dial 515-XXX-XXXX to reach
me anytime.
Type a short thing and get a long thing!
104. Use words and word-
parts as a lens with
which to evaluate
your draft...
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
As described in “The 10% Solution” by Ken Rand
Editing List
105. @scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
As described in “The 10% Solution” by Ken Rand
Editing List
Words Word Parts
of
that
But
And
very
because
then
-ing
-ly
106. READING OUT LOUD
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
Reading Aloud
Did you read it out loud?
Did you?
Diiiid you?
Did you really? DID YOU?
I thought not.
Go read it out loud.
110. “I’m on to the next one,
on to the next...”
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
BASICALLY...
FINISHING
111. !
@scottrocketship | #writingtoolbox
FINISHING
Major Mistake:
The Final Final
Draft Patience, young Jedi. Don’t try
to be done until you’re done.
Or else you’ll end up with
Draft3FinalFinal-ReallyFinal-
Copy-Version4-Final.txt
121. Brainstorming is Broken // @scottrocketship
“Creativity is not a
talent.
It’s a way of
operating.
- John Cleese
122. add a bit in here (maybe a
thought bubble type
thing) that gets at the
common objections to
writing. not creative. i’m
not a writer. not giving
themselves time to
think.
Photo by Flickr user Lee Bennett http://flic.kr/p/92x4fk
Be aware of your workflow.