PinnedMember-onlyBest Writing Strategies, Techniques to Engage ReadersHere’s a listing of my articles and anecdotes on writing — Writing blog posts? Should you write a novel with a partner? How do you keep readers on the page? Explore these articles digging into ideas that will power your writing by clarifying your voice. This list will be growing as I add more articles so be sure to check back. …Writing Tips1 min readWriting Tips1 min read
Published inSo Cal Live Work Play·PinnedMember-onlyThe Myths and Realities of a Santa Monica Beach TripWhich picture should I give you? — We drove to the beach yesterday from our home by Pasadena, and I thought of how I could paint a picture of a sunny, laid back time on the sand in Santa Monica. I could easily write it so you’d feel a tinge of jealousy no matter where you live…Beach4 min readBeach4 min read
Published inInspired Writer·PinnedMember-onlyWhy I Drink My Coffee in a Smooth, Ceramic MugA morning brew in a solid container reassures me that I can live confidently — “Would you like your coffee in a to-go cup or a mug?” I appreciated that question from the owner of the small coffee shop where I used to sit and write. “A mug, please.” After I became a regular they always gave me a mug. The boutique shop seated less…Confidence5 min readConfidence5 min read
PinnedMember-onlyFinding Stories You Want to ReadMy guide to the fiction, marketing, relationship articles and more that I’ve written — Publications Hey Don: The Days of Don Simkovich Two-minute life lessons So Cal Live Work Play Stories from Southern California related to home and health, career and entrepreneurship, and recreation Stone Cold Crime Stories One of Life’s Odd, Twisted Mysteries Sheila giggled at the question. “Why would I tell you? Life should have secrets and mysteries, don’t you agree?”medium.comStories1 min readStories1 min read
Published inAbout Me Stories·PinnedMember-onlyAbout Me — Don SimkovichWriting was my way of heading into the thick of the action — I was in early grade school when the NBC Nightly News splashed videos and images of the Vietnam War across the television screen. My parents were typically busy upstairs while I watched in our basement’s family room. What intrigued me was how journalists could cover fights in the jungle and…Writer3 min readWriter3 min read
Published inSo Cal Content Writing·1 day agoMember-onlyYour Small Business Guide to Robust Content Marketing Ch 1Ask this key question to get a customer’s attention — Every small business owner wants the marketing dollars she spends to result in sales. The reality, though, is the purpose of marketing is to: attract people who want to buy your products and services bring them into your sphere so you can follow up and build relationships that lead to…Content Marketing2 min readContent Marketing2 min read
1 day agoMember-onlyOat Milk: What is Oat Milk Made From — And is it Really Milk?Do you use it as a flavoring or milk alternative? — My introduction to oat milk came pre-COVID when I visited a small coffee shop in my neighborhood and decided to drink something other than black coffee, which I enjoy. I just wanted a different taste. I ordered an Americano and the barista told me that oat milk was popular so…Healthy Eating3 min readHealthy Eating3 min read
Published inWriters’ Blokke·Sep 15Member-onlyCan You Still Write with Meaning if Nothing Fascinating Happens to You?Here’s how you can do it — If you live in a small town, then nothing fascinating ever happens to you, does it? If you lived in Brooklyn or Paris then you’d always have something fascinating to write about. How about Los Angeles? So Cal is always churning with stories. Do you work in a bakery, get…Writing Tips3 min readWriting Tips3 min read
Published inWriters’ Blokke·Sep 13Member-onlyThe Not-So-Secret Secret to Online Writing SuccessProfiting from compelling content is summed up in one word — This is what leverage means, according to a Jay Leno one-liner from when he hosted the Tonight Show. The topic: the LA Department of Water and Power was looking at using water from urinals to purify and turn into drinking water. Leno’s quip: That means the beer you drink today…Content Writing4 min readContent Writing4 min read
Published inWriters’ Blokke·Sep 11Member-onlyDo This to Stand Out on Social MediaDon’t just post text … post visual text — Here’s a Big Number stat to show how many users are on LinkedIn every day: About 900 million people use LinkedIn worldwide There are about 66.8 million monthly active LinkedIn users in the U.S. 16.2% of LinkedIn users use LinkedIn daily The stats come from Zippia, a career site. I…Content Marketing3 min readContent Marketing3 min read
