Wordsworx

Although this post isn't about copywriting per se, it is about a style of writing that's special to me: poetry.

I'm very excited that the Hon. Michael Atkinson MP, Attorney-General, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, will launch my second collection of poetry on the 4 December at the SA Writers' Centre here in Adelaide.

Available now from White Wave Press, 17 poems: one for every year of innocence is the first in a limited collection series.

This collection is particularly special because each edition includes an audio/mp3 CD of me reading the 17 poems. The CD also contains bonus readings of two poems from my first poetry collection, Exposure, which was published by Ginninderra Press in 2003.

Only 150 imprints of 17 poems: one for every year of innocence have been created. Each one is numbered individually.

Each volume is printed on beautifully watermarked 190 gsm paper and exquisitely hand-bound by Chasdor Bindery, South Australia’s most reputable book-binding specialist. The blue sun linen hard cover is embossed in silver with handset type.

This volume will make a delightful, unique gift to a friend, family member or loved one.

For only $35 plus postage and handling, this limited edition collection and bonus audio CD is a fine-quality gift which is a delight to include on any bookshelf, and is a ‘must-have’ for every poetry lover and discerning reader.

If you'd like more information about 17 poems: one for every year of innocence, send an email to 17poems AT whitewavepress DOT com or visit White Wave Press.

I'm also thrilled that one of my poems was featured in the anthology Poems in Perspex, Max Harris Poetry Award 2007, which was launched at the SA Writers' Centre recently. That collection is available from Lythrum Press.


Remember, mind your language - even if it's poetry!

I was thrilled to have had the opportunity to attend the Dream Information Publishing Seminar presented by my mentor, Ted Nicholas, in Sydney this weekend. (That's me and him in the photo on the left.)

Ted is a gentleman and a living legend, arguably one of the best direct marketers on this planet. I met him for the first time in 2007 at Mal Emery's Silent Killer Seminar, although I'd read his information and known about him for a lot longer than that.

He ran out on stage, had us waving our arms in the air as we shouted affirmations to change our emotional states, and grooved with us to the Bee Gees.

He gave us his all over the two days. He provided phenomenal value in the depth and breadth of content, sharing his insights and thoughts not only about copywriting, but about life, health, wealth, and taxes!

I find that as a copywriter, it's vital for me to revisit regularly the essentials of emotional direct response copywriting, of which Ted is an absolute master.

Ted's enthusiasm and energy, as well as meeting and talking with other seminar attendees, reignited my excitement about copywriting and the power of compelling words. After working on a major editing project almost full time for the last nine months, it was great to be reminded of how satisfying it is to create copy and words that sell.

One subtle distinction which Ted made that really resonated with me was that sales letter copy must not only BE true, it must SEEM true. This is very much the case in a marketplace overloaded with large bold red headlines screaming promises of permanent cures and money making schemes.

The trick is to write the fine line between both.

Another great suggestion of Ted's was that sometimes a killer sales letter headline will be found among the testimonials provided by your customers.

Thank you Ted and Bethany.

And thanks also to all my fellow seminar attendees, who helped make the two days such a rewarding and memorable experience. I look forward to hearing from you and communicating soon.


In the meantime, don't forget to mind your language!

When I was at college, one of the favourite sayings was 'Yesterday I couldn't spell engineer, now I are one'.

This reflected an almost universally held belief that engineers were inherently unable to communicate, spell or grasp any concept of grammar.

Engineers are regarded as the technologists, the inventors, the designers, the ideas people. They dream and scheme, design and implement, and their project deadlines are always yesterday. They burrow through data books, drink cold coffee, and scribble circuit diagrams on the backs of envelopes. They are responsible for many of the technological achievements and advancements witnessed and enjoyed by our world today.

And this would seem to be in spite of their apparent inability to communicate.

But have we fallen into the pigeon-holing trap? Are we too quick to consign engineers to the 'non-writer, non-communicator' pile?

Engineers and writers alike have been using language to communicate ever since any of them uttered the first 'mama' or 'dada'. After all, language is an intrinsic part of how we co-exist as human beings.

Perhaps engineers are not good writers because it hasn't been made important for them to know how to express complex technical concepts in simple terms.

Calculus and complex equations are the language engineers learn to use to express the world around them.

Most of the engineers I know have fantastic imaginations, a great turn of phrase and a quirky take on many aspects of this world we live in.

In fact, all the saying 'Yesterday I couldn't spell engineer, now I are one' really needs is a good editor.


Don't forget to mind your language!

Welcome to the world of writers everywhere.

Here I am, a wordsmith, poet, songwriter – and I'm stuck in front of every writer's nightmare: a blank screen and blinking cursor.

This website used to be just a pretty online brochure. I was very excited when Robert helped me to restructure it into a dynamic and interactive e-venue for conversation and debate – all part of the great and expanding vision for Wordsworx.

Now, only a few posts into this site's life, I have a problem. And it's this. Even though I have a list of more than 20 topic ideas, I don't know what to say!

You see, I don't want to rehash the same old topics that every 'guru' and his or her protegé have written about, such as the importance of having a conversation with your readers, the power of testimonials, how to write a press release or article, positive vs negative language, and so on.

Although these things are important, I want to offer my own insights here. And have a bit of fun while doing so.

Is writers' block real?

Or is our fertile imagination offering us a globally understood excuse for not being able to produce?

Is it just our creative self sleeping on the job?

I believe that the process of actually writing or typing words and allowing them to flow without being critical of them is a good way to nudge the sleeping creator inside and say, 'hey you, wake up, come here and give me a hand'.

The more often you write, the more readily your creative self will realise it's on duty.

By going through the physical mechanics of writing at a certain time more regularly, in a familiar and comfortable space, you will send a wake-up call to your creative self. It will snap to attention, rub the sleep from its eyes, and will delight in guiding your thoughts and your fingers along an original path.

Obviously I need to apply this practice to my blogposts! When I used to be editor of a technology magazine, I had no problem turning out an editorial each month.

Bear with me while I wake up my creative self and make her a cup of strong coffee.


And remember: mind your language!

One of my favourite bloggers is Steve Pavlina.

This articulate, wise man is a prolific writer about personal development. His website (www.stevepavlina.com) is a veritable treasure trove of informative articles loaded with astute insights.

Before you start to grimace at the 'self help' smell, bear with me.

Steve's blog tagline (and the name of his new book) is 'personal development for smart people'. His articles cover the gamut, ranging from self acceptance, discovering your life purpose, living congruently, and time management to abundance, oneness, and spirituality – with meticulously documented polyphasic sleep and raw food diet experiments thrown in for good measure.

He has a lovely way with words. Reading his posts, you really feel like he's sitting down having a conversation with you.

One of my favourite quotes of his offers a wonderful example of the power of language in action.

Is your life safe?

The word 'safe' is both an adjective and a noun.

As an adjective it means 'being free from danger'.

As a noun it's 'an enclosed storage container with a lock on it'.

If you're living the adjective, you're living the noun.

So, mind your language!

Hello, my name is Jennifer Liston. Welcome to my website and blog.

Here, I'll probably post random thoughts and facts about language and its use.

(For example, did you know that there are 6,912 living languages in the world today? According to Ethnologue, Mandarin is the first language of 873 million people. English is the first language of 340 million people, and Hindi/Urdu is spoken by some 242 million people.)

I may offer tips on how to wring the best out of the words you use.

I might even suggest some ways to optimise communication messages.

As well as offering copywriting, editing and marketing services through my company Wordsworx, I am a poet.

And this is how I have come to love the power of language.

I love the challenge of using few words for maximum impact. I love how a word or phrase can inspire a myriad of emotions, depending on the reader's own experience and associations.

I have also come to realise - and am still learning - that we shape, empower and limit our own worlds mainly by the way we speak and write about our experiences, feelings, hopes and fears.

Every word we utter is creating.


So, mind your language!

Why might you need Wordsworx?

Words can wow and inspire readers.

I know how to combine words effectively so that they pack a punchy message.

I have written copy for brochures, newsletters, annual reports, sales letters, case studies, speeches, advertisements, websites and blogs.

Perhaps you don't have the time or resources to write and distribute media releases about your successes, discoveries and good news stories.

I can do that too.

Maybe you need a warm, expressive and unique Irish voice to promote your products and services online or on air.

Just contact me for samples.

What is Wordsworx?

Wordsworx is the name of my copywriting agency. I offer a range of copywriting, proofreading, editing, marketing, promotional and voiceover services.

Think of me as your marketing and communications arm, if you like.

I create media releases, corporate and product marketing brochures, website copy, newsletters, annual reports, sales letters, case studies, advertisements...

...or anything involving words and their production, honing, polishing and distribution.

The works, really.

What do Wordsworx customers say?

'The marketing service provided by Jennifer Liston was very professional. I would highly recommend her services to all others.'

Roland Sommer, CEO
RoHS and WEE Specialists International
Christchurch, New Zealand
(www.raws.co.nz)


'Jennifer is one of those few writers who can both write well and deliver copy that is clean on the first draft - which is a real time-saver for a busy group such as ours.'

Grant Butler, MD
Editor Group
Sydney, Australia
(www.editorgroup.com)

How do you contact Wordsworx?

Wordsworx is a small, flexible agency.

I work virtually, anywhere.

But I eat, drink and sleep mainly in Adelaide, Australia.

Mail PO Box 517 Henley Beach SA 5022 Australia

Phone +61 (0) 411 638 109

Web www.wordsworx.com

Who is behind Wordsworx?

Jennifer Liston is the driving force behind Wordsworx.

Jennifer has a formidable range of complementary industry, technology, marketing and communications skills.

Jennifer is

--> an elegant wordsmith, creative copywriter, editor and proofreader, with a flair for simple yet effective communication

--> a high-energy, lateral thinker

--> ethical, diligent and deadline-driven

--> organised, persistent and a consummate professional.

Jennifer is a qualified electronics engineer (University of Limerick, Ireland) with extensive experience in publishing, writing and editing for the public and private sectors.

Jennifer was editor of Australian Electronics Engineering (AEE), the leading Australian technical trade publication, published by Thomson Business Publishing. She was also managing editor of five other trade publications including Electrical Engineer (EE), Process & Control Engineering (PACE), Factory Equipment News (FEN), Metal Working Australia (MWA) and Australian Welding Journal (AWJ) - all market leaders in their specialist fields at that time.

As principal of JAL Consulting from 1995 to 2000, Jennifer provided marketing communication and PR services to local and international technology companies as well as to several Australian government departments. These services included writing company case studies, annual reports, brochures, advertisements and marketing material, as well as editing and proofreading.

Jennifer's clients included Australian AMP, Australian Electronic Manufacturing Services, BBS Electronics, Braemac, Department of Industry, Science and Tourism, Focus Publishing, IP Australia, Premier Batteries, Real Time Designs, Reed Business Publishing, The Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering (University of Sydney) and Townsville City Council.

At that time, Jennifer was also consulting writer and editor to specialist IT public relations company Communication Solutions, working on a range of accounts including Advanced Micro Devices, Adobe Systems, Canon Australia, Claris International, Compaq Computer Australia and Fuji Xerox Australia.

Most recently, Jennifer held a number of senior executive positions with the Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (AEEMA), Australia's leading industry association representing organisations in the electrical and high-technology sectors. (AEEMA is now part of the Australian Industry Group.)

Jennifer is a web publisher, active blogger, writer and musician. Her first collection of poetry, Exposure, was published by Ginninderra Press in May 2003. Her second collection, 17 poems: one for every year of innocence, was published by White Wave Press in 2008. Jennifer is a songwriter and recording artist, and has been a session musician (keyboards, vocals) and co-writer on several CDs.

Jennifer is also a keen scuba diver. But this has nothing to do with writing.

Articles previously published

Jennifer Liston has been published as follows:

Corporate

Australian Photonics Technology Roadmap. AEEMA. November 2005.

Photonics: Industry Overview 2001. AEEMA. January 2002.

A Guide to Strategic Alliances. Department of Industry, Science and Tourism (now DIISR). 1997.

Electronics News. Reed Business Publishing. 1997.

World's best from Australia - The Innovator. Focus Publishing. December 1996.

Hundreds of articles and editorials, Australian Electronics Engineering. Thomson Business Publishing. 1989-1995.

Personal

Exposure (poetry - own collection). Ginninderra Press. 2003.

17 poems: one for every year of innocence (poetry - own collection). White Wave Press. 2008.

tintinblogdog.blogspot.com
originaljennifer.blogspot.com
scubacailin.blogspot.com

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