Academic Writing… Save Yourself from this Embarrassing Pronoun Error 2 Nov 20196 Jul 2020 Myself is not a formal substitute for I or Me. Reflexive pronouns (also including yourself, himself, herself, oneself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves) apply when a subject acts on an object which is—itself! You may shave…
Brain… For Engineers and Other Geniuses Who Cannot Spell 26 Oct 20196 Jul 2020 My dad was an industrial engineer and his spellings were creative. His colleagues shared that talent. When I taught college, many of my students were engineering majors, demonstrating that skill…
Books… Write your nonfiction book before you retire 3 Oct 20196 Jul 2020 Claim it. Are you doubting yourself or your timing? Stop. You showed up here, didn’t you? People don’t do that until they are ready. I get to be the fairy godmother…
Books… Waiting for January Won’t Make Starting Any Easier 15 Dec 2012 Congratulations to you who finished writing a book this year! And congratulations to you who started a book. (If that was your intention, there's still time!) They say, "Well begun…
Editing… Punctuation Day?! 26 Sep 201213 Oct 2012 Happy Punctuation Day. This is no holy day for editors. In fact, accurate and effective punctuation is probably the least of our talents and the most common way to underestimate…
Books… “The Power of Your Past” 13 Oct 201113 Oct 2011 The week of my birthday, I won a book! (The Berrett-Kohler newsletter I've recommended to you has a challenge, and I entered.) And because I was in transition, stepping from…
College… What’s Your Style? 30 Jul 201115 Apr 2012 This one is for those of you who already write in complete, yet not inexhaustible sentences, and wonder whether you have any style. Of course, you do--just as you have…
Advertising… Friday Flick: Real Beauty 24 Jun 201125 Jun 2011 Even if you've seen this classic commercial, it's a great reminder that what we see in certain environments bears no resemblance to reality. It's also a reminder that some revisions…
Books… Writer Beware 23 Jun 201123 Jun 2011 You don't have to write in science fiction or fantasy to love Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. This organization serves all writers by warning us of disreputable editors,…
Books… Rhyme Time 2 Jun 20112 Jun 2011 Children's book editors conventionally whine about rhyme. It's so hard to write tight in rhythm and rhyme, they'd rather not brave it. Then they have children of their own, and…
Blogging… The Sport of Writing 9 Apr 2011 Some sports are played against the clock. Their time-centered rules vary greatly, but they include judicious use of the time available. Basketball rushes through its quarters with shot clocks to…
Brain… Well Manicured Writing 5 Apr 2011 What is it about a torn fingernail that demands to be torn, bitten, or sanded smooth? Why can't a loose tooth or burned palate be ignored? We seem…
