Current musings on writing and editing
Don’t Mind the Mess, or Do
How much editing your text needs depends on how “muddy” it looks; texts ready for a copyedit may have more mud to navigate around, while texts ready to proofread just need a finishing touch.
Weighing Your Words
Words help you get across your message, and thoughtful word choices strengthen that message.
Natural and Unnatural Wonders
Editing is a behind-the-scenes step that transforms writing from dull to vibrant.
Each Other versus One Another
Learn more about how the dictionary weighs in on using these two terms.
Rethink These Phrases in Fiction Writing
Here are a few simple editing tips to unclutter redundant phrases in fiction writing.
Reign, Rain, Go Away: Spotting Common Homophones
Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings or spellings. Checking for proper usage is an important step in proofreading.
Careful What You Wish For
Characters get into trouble when they wish for things without weighing their words—if only they’d had an editor to help them.
New Year, New Tools
Here are two basic tools that I’ll be using this month as I think about my goals for the year.
Improve Your Writing with “Less is More”
Create more effective, focused prose by eliminating this list of “throat clearing” words from your writing.
A Simple Little System
Having an idea is a great start, but can it withstand some scrutiny? Fact-checking is an important step in supporting the legitimacy of a project.
Fits Them to a T
Merriam-Webster spells it T-shirt or tee shirt, but why?
Trimming off the Excess
After a piece is created, whether it’s clay or the written word, trimming is the stage that smooths everything out and gives it a nice finish.
Because Seven Ate Nine
It’s reassuring to have a go-to resource to answer questions like when to hyphenate compound terms.
To Be or Not to Be Capitalized in a Title
The answer to which words get capitalized in a heading depends on the context.
“Please Mr. Postman”
Language has evolved since the Marvelettes first sang this tune in 1961, but there are resources out there for writers to stay on top of the trends.
What’s on Your Soundtrack?
Music can link us to memories and people, or simply fade into the background.
Enchantments & Editing
When I started copyediting a book inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, I soon found myself entering a new realm of creative worlds.
Steel and Music
A good writer learns the rules of language so that they can then navigate and play with them to get where they want to go.
Edits to a Classic Pastime
Whether it is baseball or business articles, taking a thoughtful, organized edit to the project can produce a more enjoyable experience.
The Big Dipper, or Is It the Plough?
This constellation contains and inspires a breadth of stories for people to hear or read about.
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