• The choice between active and passive voice is a critical one that significantly impacts clarity, engagement, and overall effectiveness. It’s something that I’ve struggled with personally, and I’m not afraid to admit that. I’m constantly pushing myself to recognize it when I see it so that I can be the best editor that I can be.

    Knowing when to use active or passive voice can significantly enhance a piece’s clarity. While both have benefits and usage, using them strategically is vital to convey a message clearly and engage readers.

    You can create a sense of action and directness by using active voice, while passive voice shifts the focus or evokes a more formal tone. The key is to be intentional and purposeful in your writing and always to consider your audience and the impact of your words. With practice and awareness, you can master the usage of both active and passive voice and enhance the effectiveness of your writing.

    Here’s how I would define active and passive voice, and then I’ll discuss each form’s distinct features.

    What is active voice?

    The act of telling what a person or thing does is active voice when you’re writing it all out. The subject acts and typically comes before the action (verb).

    The object typically receives the action and comes after the action (verb).

    What is passive voice?

    The process of telling what’s done to someone or something is what the passive voice does on the page. The subject acts and typically comes after the action (verb).

    The object, who or what receives the action, typically comes before the action (verb).

    16 examples of active vs. passive voice

    1. Harry (subject) ate (verb) six shrimp (object) at dinner.
    2. At dinner, six shrimp (object) were eaten (verb) by Harry (subject).
    3. Beautiful giraffes (subject) roam (verb) the savanna (object).
    4. The savanna (object) is roamed (verb) by beautiful giraffes.
    5. The critic (subject) wrote (verb) a scathing book review.
    6. A scathing review (object) was written (verb) by the critic (subject).
    7. The staff (subject) is required to watch (verb) a cybersecurity video (subject) annually.
    8. A safety video (object) will be watched (verb) by the staff (subject) annually.
    9. Stephanie (subject) will finish (verb) her final project (subject) by tomorrow.
    10. The project (object) will be finished (verb) by Stephanie (subject) tomorrow.
    11. The cleaning crew (subject) dusts and vacuums (verb) the office (object) every night.
    12. Every night, the office (subject) is dusted and vacuumed (verb) by the cleaning crew (subject).
    13. Not one person (subject) responded (verb) to my sales ad (object).
    14. My sales ad (object) wasn’t responded to (verb) by anyone (subject).
    15. Thousands of tourists (subject) visit (verb) Las Vegas (object) every year.
    16. Las Vegas (object) is visited (verb) by thousands of tourists (subject) every year.
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    Hi there,

    I’m glad to be here, and I hope you are too. I’ve been publishing Raconteuse Radio pretty steadily these last few weeks, and it’s been a lot of fun getting back into editing and putting together the show notes and sharing it everywhere.

    Did I mention I’m thrilled I have access to a professional level digital audio workstation, or DAW for short, at my local library?? All I had to do was take an Introduction to Podcasting class, and now I can use any of the podcasting studios within the district. The things you can do with a library card, for real.


    Table of contents

    • Visual prompt
    • This week’s article
    • More from Writeropolis Media
    • Final thoughts

    Visual prompt

    Time to get writing! What does this picture evoke for you? Write about it, and if you’re so inclined, email me back and let me know if anything came out of it.

    Photo by Guilliean Pacheco.

    The power of pen and paper: 8 benefits of a gratitude journal

    You might think it sounds too good to be true that writing in a journal can help so much. Research shows that there’s a link between gratitude and life satisfaction. With that in mind, keeping a gratitude journal every day, over time, can make a big difference.

    1. Experience more fulfilling relationships

    It’s so simple, but it can be hard to accept. You’re the one who makes yourself happy with your own choices. No one else can make you happy or grateful. Only you can do that. But something amazing happens when you express gratitude often.

    Your relationships simply open up and become better. By identifying those relationships that are worth pouring into, you start to recognize the less important ones for what they are and let them go.

    2. Physical health improves

    Being grateful for the ability to move and breathe will eventually lead you to want to ensure you can always do so.

    Therefore, you’ll be more motivated to go on walks, eat right, stay hydrated, and live in gratitude for every aspect of your life.

    3. Mental dexterity increases

    The ability to take lemons and turn them into that sweet, delightful state drink of lemonade can be gained by keeping a gratitude journal.

    The main reason is that you will learn, even on a bad day, to find the good in it. That requires imagination, creativity, and the ability to think on your feet.

    4. Less aggression

    It’s hard to feel aggressive if you’re happy and grateful. It’s okay to be angry about injustices in the world without being aggressive.

    But if you feel angry a lot because of your life, it’s because you’re not finding things to be grateful for. There’s almost always something for most people.

    5. Gain empathy

    As you write more and learn to forgive yourself as you seek to fill your mind with thoughts of gratitude, you will start seeing others differently.

    You’ll have more ability to see things from their way without judgment. It happens when you learn to forgive yourself.

    6. Better sleep

    If you go to bed each night feeling thankful for what you’ve experienced, or at least most of it, you’ll likely find it easier to sleep because you feel less anxious.

    7. More completed tasks

    When you feel more rested, less stress and grateful are bound to follow. You’ll have more energy to get things done each day.

    Being productive can make you feel even more thankful as good things start to happen.

    8. Feel better

    You naturally start to feel better about yourself as you build positive qualities. Expressing gratitude for what your mind and body can do helps boost your self-esteem.

    If you want to feel happier, accomplish more, and enjoy life, keeping a gratitude journal can help. Remember, thoughts shape feelings, and you control your actions if you accept those feelings. Realizing you have this control is a big step, and your journal will help you see it.


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  • Ghostwriting can be both interesting and profitable for the right kind of creative person. The key is to possess the skills and interests that clients are willing to pay for.

    What is a ghostwriter?

    A ghostwriter creates work, like fiction or non-fiction, but their name doesn’t appear on it. Instead, someone else puts their name on the work and receives the copyright, allowing them to use it as their own.

    Most ghostwriting is considered work for hire. The client and ghostwriter work together, but the client receives full rights to the finished product.

    Assigning copyright matters, but there are other legal points to consider. Sometimes, a ghostwriter signs a non-disclosure agreement to keep the client’s idea private. They might also require the writer to sign a non-compete agreement, promising not to write a similar book for anyone else.

    Also, payment terms should also be agreed upon and set out in writing. All of these agreements should be in place prior to the ghostwriter creating any substantial work. Payment terms will vary depending on the assignment’s length. For longer assignments, such as a book, a retainer fee that represents a partial payment of the agreed-upon fee is reasonable and helps retain the ghostwriter’s services.

    Who hires ghostwriters, anyway?

    Many different people hire ghostwriters. Sometimes, they’re busy website owners who need articles or other content but don’t have the time or skills to write it themselves.

    Many people also want to “be a writer,” in the sense of publishing a book under their own name and hoping it will bring money and prestige. They might not have the skill to write an entire book, or the patience.

    Some business owners want books published for promotional use. A ghostwriter is one of the best shortcuts for this type of person.

    Famous people also often aspire to write a book, but don’t have the skills or time. They will usually give the ghostwriter materials to include in the book, and might be interviewed. Final approval of the hopefully flattering book will usually rest with the client.

    Some clients are hands-off. They set the job requirements, pick a ghostwriter, and let them work. Others prefer to be more involved or even manage every step closely.

    An illustration of a human dressed as a ghost, working on a typewriter.

    4 tips to remember when selecting assignments as a ghostwriter

    Since many clients outsource their content creation to professionals, ghostwriters can be a bit choosy. Popular freelance marketplace sites exist, such as Upwork and Freelancer.com, which are good places to start.

    When diving into ghostwriting, it can be tough to decide what assignments to take on, whether you’re new to the field, or someone who has done it many times before.

    These four tips can help writers decide what assignments to select.

    1. Clients who submit easy to understand proposals. If the content brief is something that you know you can take on, based on the client’s demands (time frame, length, topic, etc.), then dive right in. The more you can show what you can do, the better chances you have of building up a body of work to show future clients.
    2. Clients who are easy to communicate with. That sounds easy enough, but think about it for a moment. Some clients might naturally want to micro-manage; it will be their name on the product after all. Some clients might not even know what they want until they have a completed manuscript in their hands. So, if something feels amiss while you’re getting to know the client, don’t be afraid to disengage.
    3. Clients requesting a reasonable due date. Working for someone else sets up specific expectations, but this is something to keep in mind for a reason. If you know that you can’t generate X amount of pages by a certain date, it’s best to either skip the assignment or see if the client is amenable to accept a different deadline.
    4. Clients that match their topics of expertise and interest. For example, technology writers probably shouldn’t accept an assignment for a health and wellness book.
  • Stream the episode now on SoundCloud or your favorite podcast player, and read along with the author.

    1. Colour the world

    Highly regarded but only to us
    A musical catalogue that stretched decades
    The warbles of his voice remain
    On cassette tapes and magnetic reels
    The familiar chords
    The only ones
    he could play
    On the family piano
    Those moderate chords
    The four-four beat
    Minor keys, step down
    Stabbing the chambers
    Of my diseased heart
    As I listen to the flute kick in
    means more To me now
    in my poetical persona
    Because I played the flute
    In middle school band
    The breath control
    To keep the beat
    Looking for signs
    In between the notes
    Listening to the questions I can't ask
    Seeking honest answers
    In every measure.

    2. GLORY DAYS

    What are these glory days
    Of which they speak
    Are they
    In the room
    With us
    Blink once
    For yes
    Blink Twice
    For no
    Let me know
    When the glory days
    Return like jesus
    From the sky
    That Remedios ascends
    Purely out of spite
    Make me your
    Suicide blonde
    Let me call you
    My Maker, Oh Maker
    Ice cold rosary
    Slithers down my skin
    Into the muted darkness
    Glory Days is not available
    Please leave your message
    At the sound
    Of the beep.

    3. Parameters

    There are none
    They march
    Two by two
    Left – right – left
    Pock-marked wall
    Tin roof rusted
    Broken arrows
    Plastic milk jugs
    Cascading water
    Lush blue sky
    Fountain pen survives
    A blatant cry
    From down below
    And somewhere to the right
    You think you heard a truth
    You heard a drip
    Buried deep
    In a balikbayan box
    I would give the Truth to you
    If I had it
    Til the soles of my feet
    Bled Purple
    The manuscript
    Lined up nicely
    Unearthing
    Yet another puzzle.
    As I hang up
    My weapon of choice

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    Hi there,

    How is it the end of February already? I feel like the time is flying by. I’m still looking for a job, so if you know anyone who is looking for a skilled, mid-level SEO specialist, feel free to mention me casually.


    Table of contents

    • Visual prompt
    • This week’s article
    • More from Writeropolis Media
    • Final thoughts

    Visual prompt

    Time to get writing! What does this picture evoke for you? Write about it, and if you’re so inclined, email me back and let me know if anything came out of it.

    Photo by SJ Objio for Unsplash+.

    How to stop being a perfectionist, because you don’t need to be

    Perfectionism is a curse that only causes you to work more than you need to. These tips and tricks will help alleviate the stress and pain caused by striving to be nothing less than perfect.

    1. Identify your “why”: First, ask yourself why you need to be perfect at everything you do. Maybe you want to impress your boss, or your family relies on you and one mess-up means a missed bill. Start to pay attention to the things you think about and focus on when you start to over-analyze and stress.
    2. Outline expectations: Make a list of what is expected from you. Highlight if they’re your expectations, expectations from others, or assumptions. In other words, you don’t need to do more than what is expected of you to get a passing grade, and the extra work you do doesn’t mean you’ll get extra credit either. 
    3. Ask if you’re being realistic: Search your mind and heart and ask yourself whether you’re legitimately realistic. Is this something you would expect from others without a bonus or some kind of perk for finishing the work?
    4. Lower expectations: Perfectionists often have high expectations and think others can achieve about anything. This isn’t the case. Anytime you approach a task like this, highlight the unreasonable expectations and work to eliminate them.

    In the end, perfectionism is based on your perception of what it is. You’ll be chasing unattainable goals with everything that you do. The less you expect absolute perfection, the happier you will be.

    Next time, I’ll share tips on how to complete unenjoyable tasks.


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    I walked the world for you, babe, a thousand miles with you

    If you feel like it, email me back and tell me your favorite character from “A Song of Ice and Fire.” I’m partial to the Targaryens, even from far back as Aegon’s Conquest. I live for the day that we might eventually see Visenya, her wielding Dark Sister, and riding Vhagar in a baby Westeros on the small screen. *fangirl squeal*


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    Send feedback about this edition of Whimsy directly to the creatives.
  • Stream the episode now on SoundCloud or your favorite podcast player, and read along with the author.

    1. Despedida

    The deconstruction of 
    a wild family
    Capricious and crusted with age
    These unfamiliar crimes
    Chime with every scrunch
    of the body
    My daddy is dying
    No flowery words of comfort
    Will dull that pain
    Let this be a lesson to you
    Be afraid, hide away and say goodbye
    A bittersweet farewell – despedida
    Carve the canyons in the shape of a heart
    Belabored echoes of laughter and fear
    They'll not remember you
    But we will, and
    That's all we can do
    We'll remember you
    Your genetic stewards
    Of an unwritten future.

    2. These Burdens Carry You

    All I wish for you is the grace
    To recognize and accept
    The earthquake faults
    Where you hide your guilt
    The cross that splintered
    The tanned skin
    Of His only son
    I would wrap your sadness
    That repeating letter of record
    Into bundles
    And give them
    to a hobo of olden days
    Alight on a train
    I would buy you a new life
    A rugged life by definition
    The hardships of the past
    Folded into my prayerful hands
    Simply looking for a chance
    To survive
    Let me take your sadness
    Into me so that
    you can find joy
    The hardened shell
    Grows over the memory
    Of your father
    In your veins.

    3. fathers & daughters

    I had something clever here 
    About how I was a lot like him
    About how he couldn't sit still
    And then I had something insightful here
    About our lack of emotional connection
    About how we spoke to each other
    Through music
    But I removed them in revision
    A generational curse, that foul thing
    that clings so closely
    To the memory
    Of a man
    That I never really knew
    But I see his smile
    In the mirror
    When I bare
    my crooked teeth
    At the glamorous monster
    That looks back
    At me.

    Bonus content: Blooper reel

    No spoilers, but I ended up with a blooper reel for "These Burdens Carry You." Enjoy!

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    Hi there,

    Happy Black History Month! I’m glad that you’re here, and I spent most of January buried in job applications. Anyone looking to hire a starving generalist writer/editor? Hit me back!

    On another note, it’s tax season again. If you’re getting ready to do your taxes, I highly recommend FreeTaxUSA. This isn’t a paid ad, but if you use my link, I’m in the running to win a fun sweepstakes. Thanks in advance if you do.

    I was delighted with my experience there this year. Super easy to import last year’s data, even if you used a different company. To make the experience as smooth as possible, I recommend that you collect PDFs of your important tax docs, like W2 and the like, before you get started.

    Even though my taxes are a done deal now, it’s hard not to feel nihilist while the world is burning down around us in so many ways. But, we can’t give up. Keep moving forward. All I can do is take care of what’s in front of me and within me, to the best of my ability.

    This month, I’m going to look at procrastination, which would be my weakness if I were ever asked in a job interview, full disclosure. And, this week, I’m going to discuss how procrastination affects us at work, and what to do about it.


    Table of contents

    • Visual prompt
    • This week’s article
    • More from Writeropolis Media
    • Final thoughts

    Visual prompt

    Time to get writing! What does this picture evoke for you? Write about it, and if you’re so inclined, email me back and let me know if anything came out of it.

    Photo by Jayson Hinrichsen for Unsplash+.

    Stuck in the slow lane: 4 warning signs of procrastination at work

    Procrastinating at work is a red flag, and avoiding the reasons why can hold you back professionally.

    This might be a common scenario for you, fellow procrastinator. You’re feeling frustrated and anxious, rushing to finish your work assignments every week. Even if you promise yourself that you’ll do better next time, you might end up in the same situation by next Friday, missing another deadline and working extra hours to try and hide your poor output.

    Here are some common reasons people might be procrastinating at work or at school, along with tips to help you overcome them:

    1. Overwhelmed by a task: The work can feel overwhelming even if you know how to complete the project. When you identify this challenge, try breaking the tasks into smaller steps. Save the tasks you enjoy for last, and start by dividing the ones you dislike into even simpler parts.
    2. Fear of judgment: The fear of getting the job done in front of coworkers or disappointing a manager is all too real. If this is the case, share those concerns with your coworkers or manager. As long as you demonstrate you want to make sure you’re doing the job correctly, your manager might be more receptive than you think.
    3. Zero passion: Often, not caring about your work can cause problems such as poor quality, missed deadlines, and creating more work for your team. If you keep putting off completing the work, it might be time to think about why you’re there. Ask yourself whether you like the work, feel connected to it, or could easily walk away from it.
    4. Dislike working: There will always be things you might not enjoy doing, even if you like the work. Consider finding ways to make it more fun and give yourself breaks after finishing each task. Rewards, such as stepping away from your desk for 10 minutes or treating yourself to a sweet treat, can help.

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    Gotta dance the pain away, can’t go to sleep just yet

    If you struggle with perfectionism, watch for my next email. I’m going to share some insights on letting go of the need to be perfect. See you then!


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  • Alien Crush: A Mixtape

    1. King Kunta – Kendrick Lamar
    2. ALIEN SUPERSTAR – Beyoncé
    3. If it Isn’t Love – New Edition
    4. crushcrushcrush – Paramore
    5. The Boy (featuring Omero Mumba) – Samantha Mumba
    6. Burning Down the House – Talking Heads
    7. 2 On (featuring ScHoolBoy Q) – Tinashe
    8. Don’t Trust Me – 3OH!3
    9. Always Up with You – Alphabeat
    10. Never, Never Gonna Give You Up – Barry White
  • Stream the episode now on SoundCloud or your favorite podcast player, and read along with the author.

    Hi there, welcome to season 3 of Raconteuse Radio! This is your host, Guilliean Pacheco, checking in from a very, very cold Las Vegas. I wanted to introduce season 3 as something special. I’m calling the season: “Murder Ballads for the Dearly Departed,” and the season is dedicated to my father, Daniel Pacheco, who passed away in April 2022, and also to my family, and the exploration of both. I appreciate your support and I hope you enjoy the next episode that I have for you and for the rest of the season. Thank you so much for your support!

    1. War is my origin story

    War brought you to my doorstep
    And that's where the story begins
    Civil War battlefields
    Conflicts in Southeast Asian countries
    Wars in Middle Eastern oil fields
    Every footfall brought you here
    This understanding, a dance
    Between the sheets
    Of two people, in love
    Perhaps for different reasons
    Tall tales born horizontally
    Nonsensical truth carved and hewn
    Into a sad sack of genetic material
    Love is always push and pull
    Should you stay or should I go?
    You're stuck with me forever
    The Dance, you learn as you go
    You live, you break down
    You learn, you soldier on
    May these wars continue
    So that you can grow
    Into the hero of your own story.

    2. Realism is the least real thing

    My daddy's legacy 
    Begins in the wilds
    Of Michigan.
    The Civil War saber
    Sits pretty on the mantle
    Gleaming, vibrating with history
    The stories it could tell
    His grandfather, Merchant Marine
    Good work if you can get it
    Do they know it's the Roaring Twenties?
    He fell for Emilia, unmarried
    Their daughter, my grandma, unmarried
    Locked in the convent
    Little did they know
    Eldest born in forty-three
    My daddy's legacy is his family
    The one he built from the ground up
    His legacy seeps through the words
    That sputter to life
    With a swipe of my broken pen
    A horse with no name
    Casting shadows without shame.

    3. The Coldest Summer Ever

    If my daddy's dying
    Does that mean I am too?
    Without seeing the sun rise
    Over the ocean blue?
    Do I have it in me
    To question the lies
    That the birds sing
    Every morning
    The sweet nothings
    that hop In my ear
    during lockdown
    With a side of French fries
    A fragmented heart
    Shuts another door
    Saying intention's unclear
    The deluge of bloodied tears
    Speaks volumes of coincidental tears.

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    Hi there,

    This week, we’re talking about setting goals. Setting goals isn’t a one and done task; they’re organic and should move and grow with you. The article will give you some food for thought. Let us know what you think; send us feedback via email or the star feedback at the very end of this letter.


    Table of contents

    • Visual prompt
    • This week’s article
    • More from Writeropolis Media
    • Final thoughts

    Visual prompt

    Time to get writing! What does this picture evoke for you? Write about it, and if you’re so inclined, email me back and let me know if anything came out of it.

    Photo by Daiga Ellaby for Unsplash+.

    From dreams to reality: 8 tips to light the passion within

    Goal setting is more than choosing something to aim for and going after it. While picking a goal matters, it’s as important to make sure you’re choosing the right goals at the right time.

    To help you do that, consider these tips:

    1. Realistic

    You need to do some research to make sure your goal is realistic. If you’re unsure whether it’s possible, you probably need to look into it more. Once you know your goal is realistic, describe it clearly so you can plan the steps you’ll need to reach it.

    2. Multifaceted

    Focusing on only one part of your life is a bad idea. People live multifaceted lives and need to set goals across all areas to feel successful. Something will always feel as if it’s missing from your life if your goals aren’t inclusive. Therefore, make sure your goals include something from each aspect of your life.

    3. Scheduling

    Once you create a schedule to reach each goal, think about whether it matches your real life. If your schedule doesn’t fit your actual routine, it can be frustrating and hard to follow. Setting aside only 30 minutes isn’t realistic. You’ll probably need to set aside an hour to account for getting ready, as well as cooling down or getting cleaned up before going back to work.

    4.Continuous learning

    You might find that you need to change your goals and schedule as you go, and that’s completely fine. Many people think failure is always bad, but if you never fail, you probably aren’t learning much or challenging yourself enough. Use what you learned to adjust your schedule and make it work better for you.

    5. Self vs. others

    Many people set goals based on what others want, not what they want for themselves. This can lead to frustration and resentment, and it can throw off even the best plans. It’s fine to do things for others, but be honest with yourself about it.

    6. Checking in

    Having a schedule is key to reaching your goals. A detailed calendar of tasks is much more helpful than a simple to-do list. Check your schedule each morning and night, and notice where you’re following it and where you’re not. Spotting patterns can help improve plans and stay on track.

    7. Positivity

    When you write a goal, try to phrase it in a way that feels good to you. This can make your goal feel more motivating.

    8. Drowning in goals

    Setting too many goals at once can be as tough as setting too few. We all have personal and work lives, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you try to tackle everything at once. Try focusing on one personal goal and one other goal at a time. Once you reach them, you can add more. Remember, you don’t have to do everything right away. Taking it slow and steady is often the best approach.


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    I was always able to write my way out, the song always made sense to me

    What’s your favorite song right now? Reply to this email and let us know.


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