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Category: Language

7 out-of-the-box ideas to boost creativity

Apr. 3, 2021Aug. 6, 2021Leave a comment

Creative ruts are the worst. I know the feeling. Next time you feel stuck, why not try one of these 7 out-of-the-box ideas to boost your creativity? Do a distraction audit Recently I decided to write down everything I did during my workday. Everything, no matter how small. I was shocked to … Continue reading 7 out-of-the-box ideas to boost creativity

The difference between “incidences” and “incidents”

Jun. 3, 2015Oct. 28, 2018

Let's say you're in a meeting when suddenly the door bursts open and a clown comes dancing into the room. You might go home and talk about that incident over dinner. Let's say it happens again the next day. At dinner, you might say, "I can't believe there were two incidences … Continue reading The difference between “incidences” and “incidents”

Is it “pour over” or “pore over”?

Jun. 18, 2013Oct. 28, 2018

You may have read about someone "pouring over" a book, implying that they're studying its pages intently. Unfortunately, it's wrong. Someone "pouring over" their book is likely dumping the contents of a watering can over it. It's a common mistake, but the correct phrase is "pore over." It's not a … Continue reading Is it “pour over” or “pore over”?

Why saying “I could care less” is wrong

Mar. 5, 2012Oct. 28, 2018

I’ll be honest – this one gets up my nose a bit every time I hear/read it. You’ve probably heard people say they “couldn’t care less” about something, but you’ve probably also heard them say they “could care less” about something. So which one is right? The correct way to … Continue reading Why saying “I could care less” is wrong

The difference between “you and I” and “you and me”

Feb. 11, 2012Oct. 28, 2018

If you're like me, you grew up hearing your parents say something like, "It's 'Mark and I', dear." Well I'm here to tell you that even in adulthood, it still feels good to learn that your parents don't know everything. The proper usage of "you and I" Your parents weren't … Continue reading The difference between “you and I” and “you and me”

Anyway/any way and everyday/every day

Feb. 5, 2012Oct. 28, 2018

The four words "anyway," "any way," "everyday" and "every day" illustrate for me just how precise and seemingly random the English language can be. It's not always easy to tell which usage is correct. Specifically, getting "everyday" and "every day" mixed up is so common, I bet many people don't … Continue reading Anyway/any way and everyday/every day

“Should/could have” vs “should/could of”

Jan. 6, 2012

One thing that fascinates me, though the result often frustrates me, is how many of our spelling errors arise from the spoken word. The phrases "should of" and "could of" are perfect examples of this. Why "should of" and "could of" are incorrect "Should of" and "could of", if you … Continue reading “Should/could have” vs “should/could of”

What phrases really bug you?

Jun. 28, 2010

I know that the English language is ever evolving (though I try in my own way to keep it from evolving into incoherency), but there are some popular phrases that just make my skin crawl. I hereby vow to never use these in any form, written or spoken: Across the … Continue reading What phrases really bug you?

Can you use “which” to signify an afterthought?

Aug. 9, 2009

I’m reading a certain novel right now. It’s good, but it uses the word “which” in a way that really bugs me. This spelling and grammar pet peeve has been a fairly recent, but intense, one of mine for the past couple of years. Dear editor of said novel: The … Continue reading Can you use “which” to signify an afterthought?

Hi, I’m Samantha.

copywriter for creative entrepreneurs I'm a copywriter for creatives, as well as a fiction writer. In my blog I'll share thoughts about creativity, language, and independent creative business. I'm also a fan of strong tea, medieval history, wandering in the forest, and chucking books on my To Be Read pile. Welcome!

I'm proud to be one of the entrepreneurs listed in the Asian Online Business Directory. Download it for free to support Asian businesses!
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Samantha | Creative Copywriter
What keeps you up at night (in a good way)? If you What keeps you up at night (in a good way)? If you're anything like me, you've got one or two grand ideas, big-picture creative projects you can't stop thinking about.⁠
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And if you're anything like me, you also sometimes feel like the project is too exciting to start. 😬⁠
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The good news is, there are some easy things you can do to get started! Here are some of the things that help me start a big creative project.⁠
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❃ Tell someone about it. I'm someone who feels motivated by others, even if they're not specifically waving cheerleader pom-poms at me. Telling a trusted person about my creative idea helps me to feel like it's real. Plus, sometimes I get some valuable early feedback.⁠
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❃ Uncover the main driving vision behind your creative project. What was the spark that lit up this project in your brain? What is the main idea you want to explore? Keep this creative vision in mind when you're planning out your next steps. ⁠
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❃ Break your project down into manageable pieces. As a novelist, I find it necessary to write an outline, hitting at least the major plot points. Then, I have some clearly-defined things I can visualize, which helps other things fall into place.⁠
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❃ Start with something - anything! Sometimes, there is no ideal first place to start with a big creative project. If that's the case with you, start anywhere! You might find that something gets unblocked within your creative mind.⁠
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What are some of the ways you get yourself in gear to start a big-picture creative project?⁠ Let me know here or at my blog!⁠
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#CultivateCreativity #DailyCreative #CallToBeCreative #InstaCreate #CreativeExpressions #CreativeMindsAtWork #CopywriterForCreatives #ContentWriter #ConsciousConnection
Helen Frankenthaler in her studio, 1956. Photograp Helen Frankenthaler in her studio, 1956. Photographed by Gordon Parks. ⁠
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#HelenFrankenthaler #ArtistStudio ⁠#CultivateCreativity #DailyCreative #CallToBeCreative #InstaCreate #CreativeExpressions #CreativeMindsAtWork⁠
Some important words to end the week on. ✨⁠
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#CultivateCreativity #DailyCreative #CallToBeCreative #InstaCreate #CreativeExpressions #CreativityTakesCourage⁠
Wishing you a cozy and creative weekend! We're exp Wishing you a cozy and creative weekend! We're experiencing very very (very very) cold temperatures where I am so I plan to be close to a blanket and a book all weekend. Cold weather seems to do something cool to my creativity though, so I look forward to seeing if I get any interesting new ideas.⁠
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#ALifeOfIntention #WritingMyStory #MinimalExperience #ConsciousConnection #CopywriterForCreatives #ContentWriter ⁠
Feeling stuck creatively? 🤬⁠ ⁠ As a writer, Feeling stuck creatively? 🤬⁠
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As a writer, I’m well-accustomed to creative blocks. I know what it’s like to sit at my desk, staring at the blinking cursor for what seems like hours. If you sometimes struggle to find creative motivation, I thought I would share the top three tips that help me get unstuck.⁠
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➳ Ask others to help keep you accountable⁠
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If you’re anything like me, you might benefit from a support/accountability network. There's nothing like the spectre of disappointing your loved ones to keep you going! Recruit a few trusted and honest friends to help you stay on track. To raise the stakes, you might try a site like stickK, where you set goals and can actually lose money if you don’t meet them.⁠
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➳ Work on another creative project⁠
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I believe that creativity is a spectrum, and that it isn’t always expressed in just one way. For me, the process of creativity in one area can spark it in another. Not to mention, your brain relaxes its grip on the Big Problem you’re having, and that can free up space for your creativity to return.⁠
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➳ Forget motivation altogether⁠
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Sometimes the weight I give to a thing becomes greater than the thing itself. It might feel counter-intuitive, but removing my own expectations of creative motivation helps get my brain unstuck. For example, instead of writing a chapter, I might work on a character sketch, or do a bit of light research on a plot point. Ask yourself: Is it better to work on ANYTHING for five minutes, or nothing at all? The answer could be liberating.⁠
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What are some of your go-to tips for finding motivation in your creative life?⁠
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#CultivateCreativity #DailyCreative #CallToBeCreative #InstaCreate #CreativeExpressions #ContentWriter #CreativeMindsAtWork #CopywriterForCreatives ⁠
The sun always shines on TV.⁠ ⁠ Nam June Paik, The sun always shines on TV.⁠
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Nam June Paik, TV Garden, 1974-77 (reconstructed 2002) photo by Andrew Dunkley/Tate⁠
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#NamJunePaik #InstaCreate #DailyCreative #CreativeMindsAtWork #CultivateCreativity ⁠#NamJunePaikVideoSculpture
Wishing everyone a fruitful and creative 2022, in Wishing everyone a fruitful and creative 2022, in whatever way that is defined for you!

#CopywriterForCreatives #ContentWriter #CreatorsOfInstagram #WeAreTheCreativeEconomy #InstaCreate  #CreativeMindsAtWork #CultivateCreativity
Early in my freelancing career, an older man chide Early in my freelancing career, an older man chided me for not having an encyclopedic knowledge of predicates, modifiers, adverbial clauses, blah blah. He said that I couldn't be a good copywriter without that knowledge.⁠
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It almost made me give up freelancing.⁠
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But of course, I didn't give up, and many years later I can happily say not a single client has cast doubt upon what I've written for them. And I'm equally happy to say that when I discuss a client's content, I don't need to lecture them about prepositions. ⁠
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Instead, we have conversations about the feeling of a sentence, the intent of a paragraph, how the words can be shifted, tightened, or changed to express a point differently. ⁠
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Some people have an natural talent for singing, or painting, or carpentry. My thing is storytelling, and has been all my life. Being able to use this to help my clients tell impactful stories has been infinitely rewarding.⁠
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"Grammar is a piano I play by ear ... To shift the structure of a sentence alters the meaning of that sentence, as definitely and inflexibly as the position of a camera alters the meaning of the object photographed." - Joan Didion⁠
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#CopywriterForCreatives #ContentWriter #CreatorsOfInstagram #WeAreTheCreativeEconomy #InstaCreate #DailyCreative #CreativeMindsAtWork #CultivateCreativity ⁠
Sometimes, creativity can come from the most unlik Sometimes, creativity can come from the most unlikely places. For example, eavesdropping and observing people out and about often inspires me in my creative writing. ⁠
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🤔 Also, did you know that good smells can inspire creativity?⁠
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Check out my blog for 7 out-of-the-box ideas to boost creativity - link in bio!⁠
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#CopywriterForCreatives #ContentWriter #CreatorsOfInstagram #WeAreTheCreativeEconomy #InstaCreate #DailyCreative #CreativeMindsAtWork #CultivateCreativity ⁠
As a copywriter for creatives, I approach each pro As a copywriter for creatives, I approach each project with three principles in mind: honesty, authenticity, and connection.⁠
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These three pillars are the basis of my business. I never try to dazzle clients with trendy gimmicks that don't fit their needs. Instead, I love getting to the true heart of their story to help them communicate authentically. ⁠
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I’m down-to-earth and curious, and spend time getting to know you and your project. This way, the content I create is effective and true to you.⁠
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Does that sound good to you? Let's talk!⁠
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#CopywriterForCreatives #ContentWriter #CreatorsOfInstagram #WeAreTheCreativeEconomy #ConsciousConnection #CreativeMindsAtWork #CultivateCreativity ⁠
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