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Last year I served as Editorial Director for a major revision of the textbook program that was the same textbook I learned to write from–Voyages in English, Writing and Grammar (Loyola Press, 2006). The goal of the revision was to return the program to its orignal rigor and to bring it into the light of the 21st century–to help kids understand from the beginning how important communication is to their place in society. We worked with a great team of authors, editors, and designers, and we succeeded.

In the introduction, I wrote these words on behalf of the program.

Our ability to navigate the world is nested within our ability to communicate. Words enable us to share who we are, to tell what we think, and to express what we believe. No, we are not merely what we say, nor are we people on paper. Yet, it has become normal for us to sort each other by first impressions and sound bites.

The working world defines us by our skill sets and judges us by our communications. Our dexterity and speed in accessing information and our accuracy and creativity in sharing it are highly prized. Bits and bytes the words we say and the words we write, delineate our potential to earn a living. The appropriateness and clarity of thos words convey how we fit into the world, how we might contribute, and how we might lead others.
—Liz Strauss, writing for Voyages in English, Loyola Press

When I researched that program I learned that American corporations spend an estimated $3.1 billion a year teaching employees how to write.

Power Writing for Everyone

The success of the post Why Dave Barry and Liz Don’t Get Writer’s Block and the daily visits to other writing posts here has led me to develop a writing series.

Power Writing for Everyone will take readers through the streamlined writing process–the one that works in the real world. I’ll share in detail the how, what, and why each step and how-to bundle things for maximum productivity. The series starts getting ideas and keeps going through to publishing and cross-purposing content.

It’s important because whether you’re a CEO, a crane operator, or a cab driver . . .

In a global economy, speaking and writing are requisite skills for any life plan.
—Liz Strauss, writing for Voyages in English, Loyola Press

My job is to make your job easier and take road blocks out of the way. Power Writing for Everyone is meant to do just that. Let me know if anything is missing.
–ME “Liz” Strauss

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