Don't let shyness, argument, polarization, passivity, or aggression, interfere with your relationships.

Think about the ways conversation can turn acquaintances into friendships, or can make impressions that don't represent who we are.

Think how anger escalates more quickly through words of conflict.

Think too, about how the wrong words can even interfere with a career opportunity.

This book shares simple ways to improve the important skill of effective talking and listening including:

making better connections with others in daily conversations,

experiencing quicker conflict resolution and dealing well with controversy, argument, and difficult conversations,

accepting compliments and making real apologies,

improving memory,

building trust,

avoiding conversational problems and escalation at work,

and much more.
About the Author: I am sitting near a bay window, with hummingbirds flitting in the trees outside, thinking of readers like you. I may not know you personally, but I appreciate you, and hope my work to build GOOD CONVERSATION contributes positively to your own lives. Because THE TEEN'S GUIDE TO THE CONVERSATION GAME was increasing sales, I was being asked to write a similar book that included simple examples and strategies for adults who wanted to improve their daily talking. Phrases like "polarized talk," "passive-aggressive vocabulary," and "social awkwardness," alerted me to the need to contribute to the idea of good conversation. None of us want to be manipulated by aggression, emotion, or our own unhelpful habits. We want to improve our relationships, defuse argument, build bridges, and enhance our careers. GOOD CONVERSATION helps us reach these goals. I've worked with students and adults in many settings and in various roles. Language is at the heart of how humans think and live together, and build community that is either in harmony or not. Ruby Mountain Press has a vision of publishing selected, high quality, nonfiction and fiction books that engage readers with humor, with inspiration, with joy, with enhanced knowledge or with new skills, to wonder, to laugh, and to try. We felt we wanted to give back in other ways, too, so last year, we donated 100% of sales on the novel, THE TREES OF JOE, to the World Food Program (because you can't enjoy a story if you're hungry). Our family lived in Japan after a destructive earthquake, and we had our own individual struggles to build relationships in a new culture, from limited language. In GOOD CONVERSATION, I've drawn on simple but proven ideas that work to create more effective and purposeful verbal engagements. Think about the ways conversation can turn acquaintances into friendships, or can make impressions that don't represent who we are. Think about how anger escalates more easily through words of conflict. Think too, about how wrong words can interfere with career opportunities. Check out several other titles including LANGUAGE SOUP: A TASTE OF HOW DIVERSE PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD COMMUNICATE, GREEN LIGHT LEADERSHIP, the BOP AND GROP children's books, THE TREES OF JOE, AN AMERICAN FAMILY'S LIFE IN KOBE, JAPAN, TERRIFIC TERMITES, DELIGHTFUL DUNG BEETLES, and other books on Amazon. I love talking with writers and readers, and getting feedback and sharing ideas, so never hesitate to contact me!