Mark Twain wrote, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter–it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” – Letter to George Bainton, 10/15/1888

Finding writers with lightning in their pen gets challenging. Seems like lots of folks want to teach us how to write when probably the only way to learn writing is to just do it. That’s how we “get the bugs out”.

Shortcuts abound from software, private label articles, and ghost writers from elance.com or other places. Awhile ago, I read about a software that gathers the structure of an article from multiple articles on the subject, flips a few paragraphs, changes a few words, and voila! You have an article.

Lots of ebooks about writing abound. Many of the ideas come from other sources. There’s nothing new under the sun, but shift the shadows a bit and you’ll get buyers for $29.00 as long as you add $297 in bonuses.

I’ve wondered where people packaging information get their ideas. On Wednesday, a thought whacked me on the back of my cortex. Always go to the references of an advertisement about writing. For example, let’s say a well-known Internet guru is advertising a copy writing seminar.  My first question: “Who will be there?”

Reading down the list of credits I find a list of names. For one seminar, I learned the list of leading copywriters.  I listed each one, and then went to my local library consortium site and searched for their books. Many get placed on my “to read in the future list” (that the library consortium lets me bookmark in an online account for myself). The ones I want “now” are “requested”. Sometimes I wait for other readers to return the book, but before long an email arrives telling me to stop by the Town library to pick up the book.

Books come from all over Massachusetts, and you could do the same in your community. If I can’t find it in the library, I then look for the book on Amazon under the used book dealer (saves 25% or more).

So, I’ve got a couple of authors for you to discover as you (and I) learn how to write more affectively. If copy writing is your shtick (don’t you love Yiddish words…they have delicious meaning, nearly edible), here is a list of the leading copywriters for you:

Many talented people in that list. I know you will find some of their work in the library. If not, go to their site to learn and applaud them by signing up for their newsletter.