Reading time: About 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 a song about word crimes written by Weird Al Yancovic… I was charmed when my friend Marcelle sent me a link to […]
What does Weird Al know about word crimes? Read More »
Reading time: About 1.5 minutes Personal pronouns can be tricky. Here’s a primer on when to use I and when to use me. As I write this post I am eagerly anticipating National Grammar Day, March 4, 2014. Yes, I realize this is a US holiday, but there’s no good reason why Canadians shouldn’t mark the
When to use I and when to use me… Read More »
Reading time: About 2 minutes People often say “you and I” when they really should be saying “you and me.” Here’s a quick explanation of the rule… Grammar is seldom taught in schools these days and most of us struggle to speak correctly – just as we struggle to lose 10 pounds after Christmas. I
Just between you and me Read More »
Reading time: About 1.5 minutes When I ask if you have style, I’m not talking about your shoes, your blazer or your fascinator (see photo). I’m talking about whether you write St. or Street. Whether you write theater or theatre. And whether you use numerals for 175 or write it out like this: one hundred
Do you have style? Read More »
Word count: 286 Reading time: About 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 writers. Today, I present an article on nominalizations. Are you familiar with “nominalizations”? These are verbs (action words) or adjectives (describing words) that have
What happens when you turn a verb into a noun? Read More »
Word count: 197 words 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 writers. Today, I introduce you to Constance Hale. I’m a big fan of the American journalist Constance Hale. Based in San Francisco, she is
Meet Marion the librarian on a Harley Read More »
Word count: 195 words 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 writers. Today I introduce you to grammar girl Mignon Fogarty. I remember almost meeting Mignon Fogarty at a series of conferences last
Meet Grammar Girl Mignon Fogarty Read More »
Word count: 738 words Reading time: About 3 minutes I provide the next issue of my “Please edit” feature, in which I give advice and counsel for a short piece YOU have written…. Today is the next installment in my regular “Please edit” feature. Once a month, I invite you to send me a piece of
Why you should use more bridges in your writing Read More »
Reading time: About 3 minutes Do you ever need help finding information? There’s nothing better than exactly the right reference. Here’s a list…. One of my dirty little secrets is that I have a Facebook account but check it only about once every three months. Juxtapose this with the habits of my teenage children who
A plethora of references to improve your writing Read More »
