Writing as Goulash.

Goluash is, according to one online definition, "a mixture of many elements; a hodgepodge."

So is good writing.

Author Toni Morrison says in the latest issue of O magazine that "everything I see or do, the weather and the water, buildings...everything actual is an advantage when I am writing. It is like a menu or a giant tool box and I can pick and choose what I want."

In other words, a well-rounded, inquisite writer crafts impactful copy.

So ask what books your copywriter reads. What galleries she visits. What movies he loves. Where she's traveled. What music moves him.



It's all part of the goulash of good writing.

The End is Beautiful.

There's an intersection where melancholy meets extraordinary beauty.

It's poetry, really, no matter the medium--a book, a song, a movie. It's a place of humanity, of solace, of inspiration.

Recently, I found myself recommending the final episode of Six Feet Under (available at Netflix) to a new friend for its understated dialogue, creativity and soaring soundtrack.

It's a place worth going to. I promise.

The Masterful First Newsmaker.

In the July issue of Vanity Fair, columnist Michael Wolff discusses the media prowess of President Obama and his 61(!) press handlers in a piece called "The Power and The Story."

The Commander-in-Chief has meticulously and brilliantly controlled his image, parceling out newsworthy nuggets to established media, paristan outlets and new media.

White House communication staffers are both medium and message. Maninpulation? Mastery? Does it matter?

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To Tweet or Not To Tweet?

Would Shakespeare tweet?

Today's USA Today doesn't think that The Bard would Tweet about daily minutiae.

Rather, there's an art to the Tweet.

The article goes on to say that while clever Tweets--though few and far between--are a joy to read, the vast majority are vapid and boring. Or simply TMI.

No doubt, many Tweeters are self-absorbed. They have too much time on their hands. Or they're starved for attention. And they're poor communicators, to boot.

A new tome, The Twitter Book, offers advice on crafting clear, concise and amusing Tweets. The kind that celebrities, who are paid to be entertaining, post.

Maybe even the kind that William would post were he Tweeting.

Go Green at Your Next Conference.

Tomorrow I'm sharing a 6-hour trip from Atlanta to Charleston for the Society of American Travel Writers Atlantic-Caribbean Chapter Conference.

With 4 strangers.

We're carpooling to reduce our carbon footprint, share the driving drudgery, split gas and parking costs, and make new friends.

And all it took was a couple of emails.

Could you do this at your next professional association meeting?

Revisiting Direct Mail.

Seems everyone is e-blasting these days.

Volume is rising. Our inboxes are bursting with spam. Most of us file and delete emails from unknowns. In other words, emails are often unseen and easy to ignore.

All of which makes direct mail an attractive option. Targetted and tangible, it stands out as a communication vehicle in a world email marketing.

Call it Old School, but postcards are an a cost-effective option you ought to rethink.

Hug Your Customers.

A "hug," according to retailer Jack Mitchell, author of Hug Your Customers, The Proven Way to Personalize Sales and Achieve Astounding Results, is any personal touch that impresses and satisfies a client, from a handwritten note to remembering the name of her dog to introducing him to business contacts.

Any business can boost customer loyalty by hugging its customers.

Filled with solid advice, it's a breeze to read. And you'll pick up some hugging tips.