Write for You News & Notes Words Working for You
September 2007/Vol. 3, #6

Welcome to the latest issue of Write for You News & Notes, our monthly newsletter. Here you will find tips on writing, business, and life. If you have any writing questions or if you'd like to share any books or favorite links with our readers, send me an e-mail. And be sure to check our web site for ways that we can help you with your business.

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Nancy Passow

in this issue
  • Book of the Month . . . Make a Difference -- Give a Book!
  • Stop -- Don't Hit the Send Button Until You Read This!
  • The Story of the Little Apple Tree

  • Stop -- Don't Hit the Send Button Until You Read This!

    My top three e-mail pet peeves and how to avoid them.  Number one -- listing all of the recipients.  You've gotten those e-mails -- all you see is a long list of e-mail addresses.  Where is the message?  And who are all these people?   When sending an e-mail to a large group of people, make sure to use the "bcc" feature so your recipients' e-mail addresses don't show up.  Not only does it make the e-mail more readable, but it protects the privacy of your recipients (not to mention protecting your client list!) 

    Number two -- hitting "Reply All" instead of just "Reply".  Very rarely does everyone need to see your response.  If Jane is setting up a meeting, only she needs to know that you have a doctor's appointment and can't attend. 

    Number three -- forwarding jokes, warnings, and chain letters.  Our e-mail in-boxes are full of stuff -- don't add to the clutter.  These sorts of things don't belong in business e-mail correspondence.  How do you know if it's okay to send a business friend a joke?  If she's given you her personal e-mail address in addition to her business e-mail address it's probably okay.  But even then, before you forward something, copy and paste the good part and leave out all of the forwarding "trails".


    The Story of the Little Apple Tree

     This is a story I learned from Peninnah Schram, one of the world's gifted story-tellers.  Once upon a time there was a little apple tree.  She sighed sadly as she looked around at the big trees surrounding her.  God asked, "What's wrong little apple tree?  Why are you so sad?"  "Oh," the little apple tree replied, "I wish I was tall like the other trees, with stars in my branches."  God responded, "Be content with who you are, little apple tree."  But the little apple tree just sighed.  Spring came and the little apple tree was covered with lovely pink and white blossoms.  God looked down and said, "Do your pretty flowers make you happy, little apple tree?"  But the little apple tree shook sadly and replied, "I wish I was tall with stars in my branches."  Soon it was Summer and the little apple tree was covered in green leaves -- girls and boys came and climbed in her branches.  God looked down and said, "Little apple tree, are you happy now, with the children climbing in your branches?"  But the little apple tree just sighed.  Fall came and the little apple tree was full of juicy apples.  "Now are you happy, little apple tree, with everyone enjoying your delicious apples?"   The little apple tree sighed sadly.  Suddenly a gust of wind shook her branches and an apple fell and hit the ground, splitting in two.  And there, in the center of the apple, guess what the little apple tree saw?    
     "Oh, oh, oh!" said the little apple tree!  And at last she was very happy.

    Remember -- we are all very special but you have to look deep inside yourself to find your star.  (To find a star in your apple, instead of slicing it "lengthwise", slice it through the middle.)


    Book of the Month . . . Make a Difference -- Give a Book!

    I love to read -- my house is full of books.  I can't imagine not having books to read.  Unfortunately there are children out there who don't have any books.  The  organization, The Literacy Site, was founded to help promote literacy among children from low-income families nationwide. Partnering with First Book and Room to Read, the site makes books available to children around the world, giving many children their very first book. Making books a part of a child's life is the best way to encourage the love of reading -- and literacy is key in breaking the poverty cycle. All you have to do to support this worthy cause is to visit their web site each day and click on the button. With the generous support of the site's sponsors, each click provides 1% of a book.  This month, Pi Beta Phi, a national fraternity for women, will donate an additional 20,000 books if the Literacy Site is able to fund 20,000 books with clicks.  The site sends me a daily reminder e-mail so that I can click everyday.  Please join us in clicking to bring books to children who need them!

    Quote of the Month: "A leader is powerful to the degree he empowers others." (fortune cookie)

    Quick Links...

    Visit our Web Site

    Newsletter Archive

    Resources (books, web sites, etc.)

    New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners (NJAWBO) Bergen Chapter

    Rockland Business Women's Network (RBWN)

    The Literacy Site



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