Reading time: Less than 2 minutes We all need at least one decent grammar reference book for our shelves. My recommendation? The Transitive Vampire… I’ve never fancied myself as much of an expert on grammar. I hated the subject as a school child and I learned it only reluctantly as an adult.
My favourite grammar reference book Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute Increase your vocabulary and you’ll make your writing much more precise. That’s why I provide a word of the week. Today’s word: catercornered I love regional variations in language. In the US (and Canada), for example, some places call the sugary drink “pop,” others
What does catercornered mean? Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Here’s a new verb: to satisfice. And let me explain why you should satisfice your writing… When my triplets were born in 1994, I knew I needed help. That said, we didn’t want to hire a nanny. We had no space in our house
Why you should satisfice your writing Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world to find websites, books and articles to help other writers. Today I discuss an article on the grammar of Christmas carols… I regret to confess that I began playing
Exploring the grammar of Christmas carols Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute Does your company need some communications training? Here’s how to hire a trainer… I’m negotiating with a potential client right now about delivering a series of communications workshops. Today, I thought, we might be getting close to signing a final contract. Instead, I learned, they’re
How to find a communications trainer Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about some metaphors from Nicholson Baker… The book The Mezzanine by Nicholson Baker will not be to everyone’s taste. It’s very short (142 pages) but a slow read, laden as
The figurative language of Nicholson Baker… Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute Increase your vocabulary and you’ll make your writing much more precise. That’s why I provide a word of the week. Today’s word: adumbrate. I’m looking forward to reading David Mitchell’s new book The Bone Clocks, a gift to me, from my husband. Billed by the
What does adumbrate mean? Read More »
Reading time: Less than 3 minutes Is writing a chore that you dread? Here are some suggestions for how to make writing more fun… Would you rather write a blog post or go play a game of Hearts? Do your household budget or read a novel? Produce a report for
How to ‘game’ your writing Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world to find websites, books and articles to help other writers. Today I discuss an article about smartphone habits. I know, most people don’t write novels on their smartphones. (Although, of
Please, reconsider your smartphone habits Read More »
Reading time: Less than 1 minute I like to share interesting pieces of figurative language I encounter in my reading. I write today about a metaphor from Ian McEwan. As a recent fan of novelist Ian McEwan, I’m now in the process of “back-reading.” That is, I’m searching for novels he wrote years
The figurative language of Ian McEwan… Read More »
