Tweaks of the Week

Issue 96

Aug 10, 2023

Hello, my loves. Welcome to Issue 96 of The Letter. It's getting late, and I'm tempted to throw caution to the wind and send you a still-a-draft newsletter. Ironically, in the next segment, you'll read I'm violating my writing rules and possibly transferring the onus of understanding to you because I'm not being clear in my still-drafty thoughts.

Again, I’m full of irony and contradiction (and so are you).

A Writing Tip

Choose clear over clever. I’ve heard this advice in writing several times. It’s happening. I’m progressing from clever to clear in my craft. My words are sharpening. 🎉

Shortly before this newsletter went out, I worked with one of my favorite people in the world on messaging her website. It was a joy, as everything is with her. At one point, I used the word “helpful” in her messaging. She said, “That’s such a medium word.” I said, “Yes, it is, and it communicates the sentiment better than anything else we could write. That’s an example of clear over clever.

A bigger, more romantic word can be a choice, but don’t make it out of fear you’re not being interesting enough. If the information is being communicated, received, digested, and acted upon, your words needn’t be anything more than clear.

Clarity is enjoyable. It asks the reader to read, not decode. It puts the onus on the writer to share as clearly as possible. If a writer can do that while being enjoyable, everyone wins.

So, go for clear over clever. Eventually, you may hit writing nirvana with writing that’s clear AND clever.

Woold You Like to Vote

I’m moments from buying a wool mattress from one of these companies: Shepherd’s Dream or Woolroom.

Polls are fun. What do you think?

Thanks for playing. I’ll keep ewe posted. 🐑

You Asked, I Answer

Last week, I asked you to send me questions—things on your mind. A couple of you wrote (thank you).

M.C. wrote: “I'm about to switch jobs and struggle with giving constructive feedback, with examples, without blaming anyone. I like the people here.”

Dear, M.C., tell them. What you wrote to me is what you say to them. “I like the people here very much. While I could give examples for improvement, it’s more important to recognize it’s time for me to move on. If I feel my comments could be helpful in the future, I’ll send them in an email. How does that sound?”
If, however, you’d like to offer feedback, go ahead and offer it. “I feel awkward saying things about people I like, and here’s what I think could be done differently.”
Surely, I’m oversimplifying this. It’s always more complicated. With that, the truth, as you see it, is always a solid choice. If you’re ready to move on, let them know you’re ready to try a new opportunity. “I’d rather leave on a high note with the option to work together in the future.”
Life is long. The world is small. Good luck! Please let me know what happens.

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K.H. wrote: “As you move between projects (writerly, research maybe towards writerly, fiction, tv-series storytelling, culinary, familial, domestic), how do you think about and how would you describe the movement you make between the time allotted, the shifting prioritization, etc.?”

Dear K.H., I have a phrase I repeat to myself when I notice I’m spending time unhelpfully. “This isn’t a good use of my time.” Its effectiveness is unclear. In it, I'm judging myself, which is NOT a good use of my time! Still, I say it. The awareness helps. Who knows.

I have a sense when I’m stimulated. It doesn’t hit me immediately, but the sensation comes at some point, and I know something has to go. Most recently—Instagram—lighter, immediately. Two years ago—alcohol—my world opened up.* I run micro-experiments for six months or so to watch how I spend my time, test adjustments, and notice myself.

I know, without a doubt, the most bang for my buck is the time I spend on myself. This means turning inward. Actively consuming.

The content we mindlessly scroll, the solutions we consume, the advice we’re given, the ads we’re subjected to, etc., is passive.** Active consumption is seeking out a book and other activities you choose to experience or create. There’s less noise in the latter, and being with less noise is always beneficial. Space opens, and what’s important shows itself. You’re available to listen. It’s really good.

I’m mostly drawn to short-form television—stand-up, so I don’t get sucked into long series. I often wish I would, though experience tells me it’s not where I put my time.

Truly, I could go on about many subjects surrounding this topic. Thanks for asking an insightful question!

Smoothie Moves

A guy I went to high school with became an Infectious Disease Doctor at Stanford—a real smarty pants.

He posted on Facebook the recipe for a smoothie he drinks daily. I thought I'd pass along what sounds like a great smoothie recipe from him: "Kefir, non-dairy milk, raw or frozen spinach, a big scoop of ground flax seeds, nut butter, banana, blueberries, blackberries, and a chocolate whey protein (I like Gnarly)."

Thanks for the tip, Doctor Jake Scott!

Issue 96—yet another charcuterie of random. Thanks for being here.

Have a beautiful week. Simone

*I stopped drinking as a new experience, not related to recovery. Sometime after two years without it, it’s back in my life in a new way. For my future, I envision stints on and off alcohol and other things.

**Many verbs in my writing are also passive. I’m learning to use active verbs over passive ones, but it’s not easy to fix for this old dog.

The Letter