Inform or Entertain

Inform or Entertain

These are the only two things any message can achieve, whether it’s spoken, written, morse code, smoke signals, or body language,

Most folks like to be entertained. Not so much being “lectured.”

I often use first-person, shifting mistakes to myself or an invented character. I minimize “advising” with humor or pathos, praising or encouraging instead of criticism.

Ariele Huff has written columns and articles, including her Writing Corner and Poetry Corner for Northwest Prime Time since 2000. Soon to be 75, she still loves to write and to teach writing. Connect for a calendar of ZOOM and online writing groups at ariele@comcast.net.

SHARING STORIES is a weekly column for about the 50-plus crowd living in the Puget Sound region. Send your stories and photos to ariele@comcast.net. Tell local or personal stories; discuss concerns around aging and other issues; share solutions, good luck, and reasons to celebrate; poems are fine too. Pieces may be edited or excerpted. We reserve the right to select among pieces. Photos are always a plus and a one-sentence bio is requested (where you live, maybe age or career, retired status, etc.).

SHARING STORIES is featured on www.northwestprimetime.com, the website for Northwest Prime Time, a monthly publication for baby boomers, seniors, retirees, and those contemplating retirement. The newspaper can be found in the greater Seattle area and other Puget Sound locations. For more information, call 206-824-8600 or visit www.northwestprimetime.com. To find other SHARING STORIES articles on this website type "sharing stories" in the search function above.