Steph Sta Maria

Copywriter | Ghostwriter | Counsellor | 20+ years of helping solopreneurs and big companies turn complex ideas into easy-to-understand messages.

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

- Everyday language (return to vs. circle back on)
- No redundant words (unexpected surprise)
- Less adverbs (sprinted vs. ran quickly)
- More monosyllables (use vs. utilise)
- Straightforward over sophisticated
- More full stops, less commas
- One sentence, one idea

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

The single writing rule that produces my best work.

It's called the 'Sesame Street Simple' rule.

That’s what A.G. Lafley, former CEO of Procter & Gamble, called "writing that’s easy to understand and hard to misunderstand."

And here's what it means:

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

@thejustinwelsh I’m stealing your plan.

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

@austinkleon Hotel California by the Eagles

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

So special to interview Imran, an asylum seeker who now calls Melbourne ‘home’, but who also lived in Malaysia for 12 years. My heart cracked hearing his story.
https://t.co/RuppPEKjOY

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

Emma Gilmartin on her love affair with jazz. New story on Inside Melbourne https://t.co/Iqi5UoTAhM #melbjazzfest

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

@pptan Thanks so much! Hope we get to clink glasses again in the near future!

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

Geez @Dymocksbooks, your accidental newsletter woke me up faster than my second cup of coffee!

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

Latest interview - Andrew Raiskums of Gloriana chamber choir https://t.co/eOXsDE3QeZ

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

Snippets from the passion project that is fast taking over my life! https://t.co/v9n4gMqzfA

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

@RaraArchitect Thank you for the lovely gesture but I already have another engagement that night. Enjoy!!

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

Thanks @lanewaylearning for hosting my Partner Yoga session and for this pix! So much love in the room :) Looking forward to the next one!

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

A powerful story beautifully told. Thank you, @reporteracg & @AmyToensing #natgeo https://t.co/P1LWCRaylt

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

Never been to #CarolsByCandlelight @visionaustralia? Jeff Gung tells you what you're missing here: https://t.co/FGd9ZBz36T

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

My first movie in Melbourne was at @cinemanova. What a treat to interview the man behind its choices of movies! https://t.co/vereDfxuyK

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

Minority Report fan? https://t.co/4B2NtOq3KC

[LIM LIP ENG @limlipeng]

I asked the arresting @PDRMsia officer: Apa kesalahan Ronnie Liu? He said: Cuba buat rusuhan. I asked: Bila rusuhan? He said: Besok.

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

Still wrapping my mind around this #posttruth word. https://t.co/7OFsKB2jjI

[Christiane Amanpour @amanpour]

We imagine a world without the truth as the Oxford Dictionary unveils its word of 2016: 'Post-truth' https://t.co/7OHMnZZ6Gg

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

Tore a page off my day calendar this morning. Talk about timing. #election2016

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

When there are no words. This powerful image by @heislerphoto for @nytimes https://t.co/mbSYJSegli

[Steph Sta Maria @stephstamaria]

This is storytelling in journalism. Fantastic piece, @DanBarryNYT! https://t.co/lZ7yEVTM0x