I scored a victory today. Felt kind of like a senator who’d sponsored a bill and watched it pass into law. It’s a euphoric feeling. And exactly how I felt last year when I convinced my supervisor, a former journalist,… Read More ›
writing
Breaking the Obligation Cycle
Write about the last time you left your comfort zone. Today. This very moment. It’s the prompts. They’re a great way to get the creative juices flowing for those who are stuck in the proverbial mud, but that’s never been… Read More ›
Viva La Corporate America!
One year ago today, I started my new job at CenturyCo. It was actually my second day with the company, but the first time I set foot in the Rapid City office. The day before had been a five-hour orientation… Read More ›
Here We Are Now, Entertain Us
Go On, Squeeze the Charmin Have you ever had to write a speech for a corporate executive? I was tasked with writing not one, but two, for CenturyCo’s upcoming annual meeting. As much writing as I’ve done in my career—everything… Read More ›
What’s the Benefit of Pigs?
As a writer, I frequently interview people. My methods have evolved over the years, but my goal remains simple: transferring their words as efficiently as possible into a story/article/press release/whatever. For a couple of years, I dragged along a laptop…. Read More ›
Are You Gettin’ It? Armageddon It.
Last Wednesday, I drove the company vehicle to the Pine Ridge reservation to interview a high school student for our annual report. I’m working on a series of stories focusing on how individuals and businesses in rural South Dakota weathered… Read More ›
Serial and Milk(ing it)
Writers love playing the “what-if?” game. It’s how we get our best ideas. Many years ago, I read a series of articles in The Oregonian about the growing problem of eco-terrorism in the western states. One line in particular grabbed… Read More ›
Don’t Worry, Bee Happy
When most people think of South Dakota, I’d venture to guess they picture lots of cows and cornfields. Which isn’t exactly inaccurate. But did you know we rank as the #2 honey-producing state in the U.S.? That fact doesn’t receive… Read More ›
What Do I Know? I’m Just a City Slicker…
Two Things You Should Never Ask a Rancher I have long said that one of my favorite aspects of my job is talking with interesting people. I interviewed a rancher earlier this week and he definitely qualifies as interesting. That… Read More ›
Knitted a Scarf. My Neck Benefited.
English for Dummies The English language will be the bane of my existence. That’s saying a lot, considering I’m a professional writer.* *By professional, I mean, in job title only. It in no way denotes professionalism. After all, I’m the… Read More ›
Swinged Cat 