Page 39 - December 2020 Voices

Speaking of the Holidays - Bah, Humbug!

Ken Coomes, DTM

and us. We waited until New Year’s Day and gave first reader, friends, or family read something
him the gift we “held back,” as a great way to start you wrote do they beg for more? Talk about how
the New Year. Thus, began our family tradition they couldn’t stop reading? Accurately repeat the

of giving a gift to each other on January 1st. So main point or points, proving that you wrote
be bold, start a new tradition. It might be even them indelibly on their hearts and minds? In
more important to start 2021 right, after the way other words, was it unforgettable?
2020 unfolded. If you want to make your writing (and/or

Do I detect a slight warming in your heart? your speaking) unforgettable, you must speak
Less “bah, humbug” and more “ah, humbug?” If or write first. You need to work at honing your
you’re almost in the holiday spirit, but you’re not craft. If you get feedback, pay attention to how
quite there, maybe you’re waiting for the next you can make the speech or writing better. This

gift. All right, already, here it is. is my third and final gift for you this month.
Forget being forgettable. Write. Edit. Tweak. Write. Re-write. Improve.
Say what? Forget being forgettable. Write your If you feel what you have written is forgettable,
next short story, novella, poem, essay, memoir, consider how to make it unforgettable, instead. If

autobiography, novel, or yes, even your next you’re in the doldrums when it comes to writing,
speech in such a way that it will be unforgettable. draw upon your personal motivation to keep
I stole this gift idea from a Distinguished going. Read next month’s article - I’m planning
Toastmaster and friend, but it’s not copyrighted to give you a New Year’s gift; tips on getting your

nor trademarked (to my knowledge), so I prefer groove back.
to think I “borrowed” it rather than considering
it stolen.
He provided feedback to me on three of my

short stories. No matter the length, topic, or
positive comments he offered, he mentioned
that he preferred to write (and read) stories that
were unforgettable. That struck a chord with me.

When you deliver a speech, does your audience
ask for more? Suggest it might be a good keynote
speech? Wonder if you might be able to give a
longer version of the speech? When your editor,

VOICES! | DECEMBER 2020 39