(200 words, 47-second read)
“I just wanted to thank you for your feedback. I know I can get a little wordy, so those examples really helped.”
Context: That’s what a student said when he called me a few days ago. And he didn’t say it in that weird tone that drips with insincerity. So:
- Props to this guy’s mom. Am I right?
There’s more: That’s not even the best thing he said. Just before hanging up, he said – and I swear I didn’t pay him to say this –
- “Oh! By the way. Even though this is the first time we’ve talked, I feel like I’ve known you for a long time. You sound just like you write.”
What he meant was I write like I talk. Which, of course, is always my goal.
I had to ask: I thanked him for the kind words. But I couldn’t just let that go. I asked what he meant by that. He said:
- “I don’t know. I guess you use the same words.”
1 BIG thing: Remember. Even when you think they’re not paying attention to your writing and tone – or when you aren’t paying attention to your writing and tone – THEY are.
Fun fact: The first draft of this was 179 words.