What’s a figure of speech? Words taken out of their literal meaning to create a vivid or dramatic picture. Play with them in your writing!

Alliteration

Matching or repetition of consonants or re […]

I run three different websites with slightly different WordPress themes: my customer-facing portfolio, my freelancer-facing Dr. Freelance blog, and my publishing company for books about freelancing. Un […]

Much of the spoken language slides into our writing, but at times the words we say aren’t the exact fit for what we mean. Check your intention every time!

Consider these sentences from a manuscript about e […]

Just as you’d wear a straw-brimmed hat in the sunshine and a rain cap in the pouring rain, remember the importance of wearing two different hats when you’re writing versus editing your nonfiction book.

One hat […]

Ford is to automobile what Best is to tractors. Making Tracks: C.L. Best and the Caterpillar Tractor Co. is a complete picture of Clarence Leo Best and why he was driven to live up to his name–Best. Read a […]

Do you?

My reply to the above question would have to be a sad, “I used to.” Said with a heavy sigh. It’s been a while since I have.

When my husband and I lived in a major US city, I was blessed enough to […]

June 1: National Say Something Nice Day. Make the day pleasant for someone today by saying something nice.

June 2: National Leave the Office Early Day. This day is an incentive to many who often work more than […]

[This is a revised and expanded version of the presentation I gave for STC Milwaukee in April 2008. Though intended for editors who do substantive editing, it offers useful guidance for writers who need to outline […]

Has anybody here ever taken an editing test for a company?

I have…more than once. And would you believe I have never passed?

Suffice it to say that it is always disheartening when I receive an email from a […]

You may mail an autographed copy of your published book to NAIWE headquarters to be read and reviewed by NAIWE staff. The review will be posted on NAIWE’s blog, as well as on NAIWE’s social media’s sites […]

Italian writer Carlo Collodi wrote the children’s novel The Adventures of Pinocchio in 1883. Pinocchio was a wooden puppet who wanted to become a real boy. Despite the efforts of his trusty conscience, The T […]