Category: My Life as a Writer
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The Dreamer and the Disruptor
The song “Imagine” taught me the power of plainspoken truth. Lennon didn’t hide behind metaphors when he could aim directly for the heart. He wrote as if the emotional center of a message was the whole point, and not an afterthought. That instinct has followed me throughout my career and is the part of copywriting…
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Why Copywriters Should Think Like Editors
Copywriters are storytellers, while editors are truth-hunters. Sometimes cleverness gets in the way of truth. Thinking like an editor shifts your default from: “Does this sound good?” to “Does this make sense?” Clever copy sparks attention, but clear copy earns trust. The best work does both, but clarity always wins.
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Gratitude in the Creative Process: 17 Years, 17 Lessons
Seventeen years ago, I wrote my first real piece of copy. It was a series of radio commercials I wrote as a favor for a colleague and it led to my first agency job. I had no idea that one small line would lead to a career spent chasing clarity, connection, and that rare, shimmering…
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Words That Work: The Psychology Behind Persuasive Copy
Persuasive copy isn’t a magic trick—it’s psychology applied with care. It’s understanding what motivates people, what reassures them, and what helps them make confident decisions. And when you combine that psychology with clean writing, strong structure, and a genuine respect for your audience? You get words that don’t just work. They connect. They convert. They…
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The Writers’ Room Playlist: November Edition
Some days, writing feels like a polite conversation. Other days, it’s a riot in your head. This month’s playlist is for the latter—the wild drafting sessions when ideas claw their way out.
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Storytelling vs. Selling: Why the Best Copy Never Tries Too Hard
Early in my career, I thought good copy was about cleverness. The sharper the hook, the better the headline. I could sweat over a single line for hours, convinced that the right combination of verbs and punctuation could make someone care. But the more I wrote, the more I realized that the harder I tried…
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The Writers’ Room Playlist: October Edition
Some people welcome October with pumpkins on the porch. I prefer a new soundtrack. This month’s Writers’ Room playlist leans into the season—moody enough for gray mornings, sly enough for late-night drafting, and just restless enough to keep you chasing down an idea when it wants to run. Call it creative fuel with a side…
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Editing and Revising: Turning Good Copy into Great Copy
Editing often feels like the unglamorous part of writing, but it’s where the transformation happens. Drafting is about getting everything out of your head and onto the page, and then sculpting it into something worth keeping. It’s about seeing the potential in your first draft and then taking it to a much higher level.
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How to Write Headlines That Actually Work
Years ago, I wrote what I thought was the perfect ad: smart copy, clean design, and a headline I was proud of. When the results came back, though, the numbers told a different story: almost no one read past the headline. That was the day I learned the hard truth about copywriting: the headline isn’t…
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The Writers’ Room Playlist: September Edition
Just like the creative process, this month’s playlist is a little messy and impulsive. Enjoy!
Sara Barton 