In a panel discussion on navigating today’s competitive business landscape, the question of what propels the journey arose. As I awaited my fellow panellists’ answers, I realized that venturing into this world wasn’t a conscious decision but something I embraced. How did I arrive at this point? More importantly, how can you reach this point? […]
Three Steps to Success Read More »
Writing, my fellow journeyers, can be intimidating. It’s a solitary trek across an arid, featureless plain where the horizon stretches, and the end is never in sight. The blank page drops into rifts for those who pick up the pen or join the other in creating a singular work. Yet, fear not. We are not
A Lantern in the Dark: Writing Without Fear Read More »
The fear of public speaking has long been regarded as a formidable monster, a ghastly zombie that refuses to die. It creeps in the shadows of our minds, trailing behind us as we approach the stage, haunting our thoughts the night before and feasting on our anxieties. Like a relentless ghoul, it claws at our
Fear vs. Fear: Putting the Fear of Public Speaking in Perspective Read More »
Of all the things that can make us break out in a cold sweat, public speaking has got to be one of the worst. The mere thought of standing in front of a room full of people, baring your soul and hoping they don’t throw tomatoes at you can be enough to make even the
Jelly Legs, Shaky Voice: Public Speaking for the Trembling Masses Read More »
Are you ready to become a public-speaking superhero? Or a Krazed Jester? Look no further than Toastmasters, where toasty tongue twisters and wacky wordplay are the secret weapons to mastering the art of public speaking. Let’s be honest; public speaking can be terrifying. The thought of standing in front of a crowd and delivering a
“Always mystify, torture, mislead, and surprise the audience as much as possible.” — Don Roff, writer and filmmaker. Standing at the podium, I raced with thoughts of Winston Churchill’s infamous words: “Take away this pudding; it has no theme!” I had just concluded a rambling and disorganized speech, leaving the audience befuddled, disinterested and less
“Puddinggate: When Themeless Speeches Let You Down Read More »
“Humility will open doors more than arrogance ever will,” — Zig Ziglar. The underlying fear of public speaking is a judgment or negative evaluation by others, but with preparation and persistence, you overcome it. Here is what we can do to get you started and beyond your fear. Know your topic The better you know
When Your Heart Skips a Beat: Overcoming Fear in the Spotlight Read More »
In March 2020, Beth Blum published The self-help Compulsion: Searching for advice in modern literature. The Harvard Assistant Professor of English studied how readers have engaged with books as guides for becoming better people. What caught my eye was Blum’s suggestion that perhaps we are missing out on literary classics like storytelling and fiction as
How Low can FlufferNutters go When Telling a Story? Read More »
Every writer knows the advice: Show, don’t tell. It’s a mantra often passed around like a well-worn hand-me-down. But what does it mean, and why is it beneficial in crafting an engaging, immersive story? It boils down to one simple principle: making the reader feel, see, and experience the world through the characters and their
Show, Don’t Tell in Novel Writing Read More »
What I learned as a non-fiction author My significant other was happy that I didn’t have a heart attack. I did, however, sit too long, drink too much coffee, and miss meals. I realized this after publishing my first book, Stop the Denial: A Case for Embracing the Truth about Fitness, in 2017. I even
