The power of ‘no’? How about the power of ‘yes’? How I can help you in your self-publishing journey.

❓Are you someone who says ‘yes’ too often? We often hear that. The power of no. Remember to be in control. I’ve listened to that advice and tried to not leave myself open to *can you justs*… However, despite being mega busy, I decided to say ‘yes’ this week a couple of times where IContinue reading “The power of ‘no’? How about the power of ‘yes’? How I can help you in your self-publishing journey.”

Is it fewer or less? Countable and uncountable nouns.

❓ Confused about fewer or less? When people say there’s a rule about this, they are usually on about countable and uncountable nouns. 🔢 Something you can count? Like pens? Or dolls? ✔ I have fewer pens than you.✔ You have fewer dolls than me. ⏳ Something you can’t count? Like time? Or information? ✔Continue reading “Is it fewer or less? Countable and uncountable nouns.”

January 12th 2021. Post-apoc novel: top proofreading spots.

🔎 Grill vs grille. Puss vs pus. Feint vs faint. Had some cracking #proofreading spots this week in the post-apocalyptic novel I’m editing. Word did not flag these. But they did not get past me! I find these spots to be the most satisfying of all. ❌the car’s grill ➡ the car’s grille ✔ 👩‍🍳Continue reading “January 12th 2021. Post-apoc novel: top proofreading spots.”

Is it aitch or haitch? Should have or should of?

Aitch or haitch. (H) ❓ Is it C-R-O-N-S-aitch-A-W or C-R-O-N-S-haitch-A-W? I’ve heard myself saying ‘haitch’ this year. Ssh. That’s just between us.🤫 ✔Aitch ➡ haitch ❌used to be a line I’d never cross. Years of wincing when I heard it – it used to be my pet peeve – ensured that those particular sounds wouldContinue reading “Is it aitch or haitch? Should have or should of?”

What I’m editing in 2021: fantasy, post-apoc and more!

Plague doctors. Post-apocalyptic wastelands. Dragons. 2021 looks exciting! Of course, I’m talking about the proofreading and editing work I’ve got booked in. Familiar territory! With some new challenges. 🐲I’m doing a 450000-word fantasy boxset in January to ensure accuracy and consistency throughout. Can’t wait to get stuck in. 😷 In February, I will proofread aContinue reading “What I’m editing in 2021: fantasy, post-apoc and more!”

What is Cumberland and Westmorland dialect?

Driving yam for Christmas? I’m not. Not this year.🚗 Yam is Cumberland and Westmorland dialect for home. As garn yam means I’m going home. I love my home dialect. It’s so colourful. I sometimes find standard English variants don’t cut the mustard and don’t quite mean what I want to say. Take waffy. You couldContinue reading “What is Cumberland and Westmorland dialect?”

What is the plural of reindeer? Is it reindeer or reindeers?

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Son: Mum, why is Rudolph not on my jumper? All the other ones are there. Me: Some people don’t consider Rudolph to be one of the traditional reindeers. Son: Reindeer. 😂 Touché, boyo.

December 15th 2020. Fantasy novel: top proofreading spots.

It’s only 10.45 and I’ve already saved The World. That’s the name of the novella I’ve proofread this morning. 🔎 Here are my top #proofreading spots from the manuscript. 1️⃣ The wyvern’s took to the air. ❌ ➡ wyverns ✔ 2️⃣ “I feel like a raised you.” ❌ ➡ I raised ✔ 3️⃣ She didContinue reading “December 15th 2020. Fantasy novel: top proofreading spots.”

How can an accountability group help me achieve my goals?

I’m going to blow my own trumpet and reflect that, career-wise, 2020 has gone well. 🎺 This is in no small part due to the motivating coaching call I had with Lisa Carlin back in May. As soon as I came off the Zoom, I sent out feelers to a few others in the sameContinue reading “How can an accountability group help me achieve my goals?”

Why is there no meat in mincemeat? Etymology.

❓ Why is there no meat in mincemeat? 💡 It’s because the word ‘meat’ has undergone a process of semantic change. 🥗 Meat used to mean food in general, not just animal flesh. 🍇🍊 So all of your dried fruit you’ve chucked in your mixture – it’s all food. It’s all minced. It’s no misnomerContinue reading “Why is there no meat in mincemeat? Etymology.”