50 Articles

On May 2, 2016, I circulated my first Short Takes article: Good writing matters: Making the case for
quality. I began with quarterly, then bi-monthly, and, since February 2021, monthly articles. One of
my favorites is A bad start is the best start, because it helped me think about how this common
experience can be used to our advantage.

While I eat my cake and drink champagne, here’s what I’ve learned and what’s ahead.

What I’ve learned

• Take chances. I thought it was a little brash of me to think I could write about writing. Workingwith many of you has taught me that we all have helpful ideas to share.
• Writing takes time. I’ve learned to value the progression from messy to finished, in documents from proposals to reports to birthday cards with meaning.
• Write inclusively. I try to be more thoughtful by avoiding assumptions and reviewing carefully.
• Practice makes better. Perfection may not exist, but more writing improves writing.

Goals for the next 50

Will there be another 50 articles? That’s hard to say, but it’s possible. I have a list of 30 new topics. However far I get, it seems useful to set some goals.

• Edit, and edit some more. Writing can always be better. I edit a lot and am learning when it’stime to stop.
• Keep it short. If Hemingway can write a story in six words, I can write an article in less than a page. I’m going to try. If I have more to say that I think is useful, I’ll use the whole page.
• Go deeper. Most of my articles are straightforward writing tips. Some are more thought-provoking and challenge me to articulate more complex ideas, for example Strategic documents. Look for more, such as Art and Writing, in the future.
• Include others. I’ve been fortunate to have help from talented writers and reviewers. This was especially important in Equity in Writing. Expect more contributors in future articles.

Surprise!
To mark my 50th, I’ve invited my editor (all 50 articles), who also happens to be my son Tommy
Good, to have the last word.

As inspired, throughout my entire life, by the author, here are my three rules of writing:

1. Have confidence in your abilities. Don’t be afraid to put pen to paper and see what happens.
2. Be open to feedback. It almost always improves your writing.
3. Always listen to your mother!