A Wordsmith's Work

Book excerpt: Leaders, business owners or people who want to get things done effectively need strong writing communications skills. This book offers useful insights into how to make your writing more persuasive and memorable. These are the tips, advice points, and examples of an expert communicator. Whether it''s persuading through newspaper "op-eds," speeches, or even during crisis communications, "A Wordsmith''s Work" will improve the success of your message and enhance the reputation of your chosen messenger. Author Mark Weaver has counseled thousands of clients all across America. He worked one-on-one with the Great Communicator himself, President Ronald Reagan. NBC News in Charlotte, North Carolina called Weaver "one of the nation''s foremost experts in crisis communications." His weapon of choice: powerful words. Words that persuade, inspire, and amuse. That''s why Mark Weaver is sought out by corporate leaders, university presidents, and public officials all across America for high-level counsel on how to communicate better. Weaver''s spot-on use of words that move people and change minds is on display throughout this book. Here are just a few examples: Describing his early work as a writer for hire: "The prose was workmanlike and passable for the tasks I was assigned. Some projects were fun to write. Others felt like ten miles of bad road." Pointing out the need to have a different viewpoint before writing an op-ed: "Op-eds advancing the conventional wisdom don''t offer anything interesting to the readers of newspapers. We all agree motherhood is a good thing. Everyone wants to thank our troops for their service. The duck-billed platypus is sadly misunderstood. Thus, op-eds about those topics are less likely to be published." Advising readers how to deal with an ambush interview from a TV news crew: "In old western movies, the good guy wore a white hat and the bad guy wore a black one. This basic narrative is in play during every ambush scenario. It''s important for the principal to remember that it''s not enough to be the good guy; it''s equally important to act like the good guy." Lamenting the difficulty of writing: "Each time a notion pesters me into action and I finally sit down to square off against a menacing blank screen and toothy keyboard, I boldly aspire yet again to the calling of wordsmith. This book chronicles those journeys of composition." When you read "A Wordsmith''s Work," you''ll be moved, persuaded, and you may even laugh out loud. If you''re interested in more effective speeches, news media relations, or communications, then this is the book for you. Perhaps this book and its author''s perspective is best summed up by U.S. Congressman Bill Johnson, who wrote the edition''s forward. Johnson''s key point: "There''s no more apt term to describe Mark Weaver than what''s reflected in the title of this book - he is truly a ''wordsmith.'' He''s a master at understanding the cultural, societal, and media influences of the day. He takes that knowledge and crafts a message that cuts through the confusion, so people see the clear truth." Praise for "A Wordsmith''s Work" National Fraternal Order of Police President Chuck Canterbury: "While Mark Weaver has used his considerable skills as a wordsmith to defend crime victims and law enforcement officers all across America, the tips and examples in this book can help everyone communicate better." U.S. Congressman Brad Wenstrup: "This collection of Mark Weaver''s work shows his innate ability to capture the art of messaging. By combining logic, facts, and, often, humor, Mark hits home with his audience." Former Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery: "Rich and thoughtful commentary on major issues of the last three decades, this book and its author reflect a depth of experience and thought that make it well worth reading!"