One thing many of us “wannabe” writers are curious about is what process an author actually uses to imagine, write and keep track of the storyline in a novel. I am dumbfounded by people who can see the whole thing in their mind and just write it down. I’m oversimplifying here . . . but [...]
Here’s a “textbook” of sorts, a book that teaches how to write non-fiction. On being asked to read this book, my gut reaction was “Oh no, a boring book about grammar and syntax and diagramming sentences.” I was never so happy to be so wrong! Zinsser is the kind of teacher who makes you want [...]
A growing amount of online digital resources are available for those looking to improve grammar. You’ll find grammar checkers, learning courses, tips, and advice. Most of us—even accomplished writers—would agree that our grammar is always in need of refining. Take a look at this collection of timely and useful resources geared toward strengthening grammar. Grammar [...]
This article is part one in a series on content strategy. Stay tuned for follow-up articles on the topic. The web is the number one avenue for book marketing, and there isn’t a single author who can afford to leave out the Internet when promoting his or her book. Because of this fact, we’ve decided [...]
I never made a mistake in grammar but once in my life and as soon as I done it I seen it. —Carl Sandburg Why write a blog post on subject/verb agreement? The rule seems simple enough: Use a singular verb for a singular subject, right? When you consider compound subjects, collective nouns, and contractions, [...]
You’re writing a wonderful emotional moment. Your characters are tentatively discovering their attraction to each other, and you need to decide how best to portray this. You know there is a very fine line between what is realistic and effective and what could be labeled as gratuitous. Where do you go from here? There are [...]
We learned this basic rule in grade school and I hope it is still being taught today. It sounds simple and obvious: A singular subject must take a singular verb. A plural subject must take a plural verb. But it’s not always easy to know whether the subject is singular or plural. And sometimes it [...]
Susan Anderson has updated their profile – and the grating sound of fingernails on a chalk board. How many people is Susan Anderson? She is one person, right? Then how can the plural possessive pronoun their apply to her? Jennifer has updated HER profile. If we must deal with a computerized form (on social networking [...]
