About Carla D. Bass
Carla D. Bass, Colonel, USAF (Ret) is a multiple award-winning author, speaker, and instructor. Her battle cry … “Powerful writing changes lives!”
- Need to nail input to a performance review?
- Need to win a contract or a grant?
- Need to ace the college application essay?
- Need to give a stellar presentation?
- Need to secure program funding?
- Need to write a standout resume?
No problem! Carla’s secret? “Make each word count and every second of the reader’s time play to your advantage!”
Powerful writing often tips the balance between success and failure. She proved it!
As a lieutenant colonel, Carla transformed her 480-person unit from the most losing in statewide quarterly and annual professional awards into the one to beat!
How? She taught her troops to compose winning nominations! By popular demand, she taught thousands of Air Force members for next 15 years — to rave reviews.
Her other battle cry … “Powerful writing is the lifeblood of successful organizations!” … is based on decades of writing for the White House, Congress, and leaders at the highest levels of the U.S. military. Throughout her career, she authored hundreds of personnel reviews, award nominations, budget justifications, and other executive correspondence.
Central to her success—writing with focused precision
Fun Career Highlights
Most delightful: Special Security Officer, Wiesbaden, Germany. This was a dream come true, literally. Carla decided on an Air Force career while in 7th grade. Germany was her first assignment in what would become a 30-year journey.
Most eye-opening: Briefer to the Director of the National Security Agency (DIRNSA). As a young lieutenant, she developed and delivered daily briefings to DIRNSA and his senior staff – an incredible opportunity with close to zero room for error.
Most fascinating: Defense and Air Attaché to Bulgaria. She represented senior leaders of the U.S. military to Bulgarian counterparts and other foreign attachés accredited to that country.
What Others Say!
Write to Influence! should be taught in universities … and it is! Carla teamed with Defense Intelligence Agency’s National Intelligence University to teach workshops for faculty, staff, and students. Hers is the essential guide to effective writing.
— John Clark, Colonel, USAF (Ret), National Military Intelligence Foundation
Carla brilliantly captured in one entertaining, easily read document the nuances of writing that infuse products with clarity, focus, and direction. If effective writing is your goal, put this book in your tool kit!
— Dr. Lani Kass, Senior VP, Corporate Strategic Advisor, CACI
Write to Influence! is an essential guide for anyone seeking to inform or influence others with the written word. This book will be on my desk to help me on that journey.
— Mark Amtower, Managing Partner, Amtower & Company
Don’t just read Write to Influence! Take your time with it. Practice it. It will make you a better communicator and achieve goals throughout the rest of your life.
— Carl Dickson, Founder of CapturePlanning.com and PropLIBRARY
Carla knows her stuff! People wanting to further their skills or their careers would do well to read and re-read Write to Influence! Even as an experienced writer and reader I found useful tips and it’s joined my favorite desktop resources.
— Shari Stauch, CEO and Creator of Where Writers Win
I recommend this book enthusiastically! It teaches students and adults how to edit their writing to achieve purposes with clarity, directness, and grace. I am a writing teacher with 30 + years of experience teaching middle and high schools.
— H. Lyman, PhD