Notebook

For writers, notebooks are where ideas come to life. This blog is a space for sharing our news and ideas with you.

  • Why learning French can make you a better copywriter

    Noted by Janet on 02.05.12

    Words words words

    One way to get a better understanding of English is to learn a different language. And it doesn’t matter which one.

  • ‘Blimps made of thousand-dollar bills’

    Footnote

    In his expletive-filled condemnation of America’s tax system, author Stephen King uses a lovely turn of phrase. He describes the mega-rich as those ‘who float serenely over the lives of the struggling middle class like blimps made of thousand-dollar bills’. Read the Guardian story >

  • How to write about science (or anything else)

    Noted by Matt on 19.04.12

    Good words

    As part of its science writing prize, the Wellcome Trust is sharing some great tips from famous writers. Make it personal, says Bill Bryson.

  • Our copywriting for responsive web design has won an award

    Noted by Matt on 10.04.12

    Web words

    Yes! Our writing for Pepper Digital’s responsive web design demo site has been recognised at the 2011 Digital Media Awards. We won Best Copywriting for a site that showed how the layout of a website can adapt to different screen sizes.

  • We’re laughing like Muttley at this -> Text From Dog: http://textfromdog.tumblr.com/

    Tweeted on 10.04.12

  • Social media tone of voice: on the right track

    Noted by Matt on 27.03.12

    Web words , Brand words

    Train operator London Midland’s personal approach to Twitter shows how to write engagingly for social media.

  • The neuroscience of your brain on fiction

    Footnote

    “Brain scans are revealing what happens in our heads when we read a detailed description, an evocative metaphor or an emotional exchange between characters. Stories, this research is showing, stimulate the brain and even change how we act in life.” Read more about this in the New York Times >

  • Dear brand, you’re not my best mate

    Noted by Matt on 08.03.12

    Brand words

    Are you fed up with overly chummy brands demanding your love and interaction?

  • Data: singular or plural?

    Footnote

    This question comes up quite a lot. Strictly speaking, data is the plural term and datum is the singular term. So you should say ‘the data show’ not ‘the data shows’, right? But the fact is that writing ‘the data shows’ is now common, and it’s clear what you mean (as it is when you write agenda as singular). It’s the perfect example where good style means not being hyper-correct. Read more on the Guardian Data Blog >

  • Consequences of Erudite Vernacular Utilized Irrespective of Necessity:  Problems with Using Long Words Needlessly <- a title that says it all

    Tweeted on 09.02.12