I promise I am 𝙣𝙤𝙩 this person. I wouldn’t message you back with a correction of your grammar. 😅 I save that for manuscripts. 🔎 But I couldn’t resist it on this meme generator. That’s what memes are all about, right? 💡 Apart = separate from 💡 A part = [in this sense] a sectionContinue reading “Is it apart or a part?”
Tag Archives: writingtips
Is it lay or is it lie?
😬 Even editors hate lay/lie! 💡 Watch this video to check you’re using them correctly. 💬 Feel free to drop some examples below. ❓ Can you use one of the following words correctly in a sentence? ◻ Lay – present tense: to set an object down◻ Laid – past tense◻ Laying – present participle◻ LaidContinue reading “Is it lay or is it lie?”
Mother’s Day or Mothers’ Day? Where should the apostrophe go?
🇬🇧 It’s Mothering Sunday here in the UK. ❓ Did you wake up wondering where to put the apostrophe in your mam’s card?! ✅ Well, it’s your lucky day as I can confirm it should go between the ‘R’ and the ‘S’. Mother’s Day Yes, more than one mum is celebrating her special day today,Continue reading “Mother’s Day or Mothers’ Day? Where should the apostrophe go?”
Your book is your baby – so find the right babysitter!
The author–editor relationship: an analogy: 👶 “I’m so proud of my book baby!” 🎂 “Happy book birthday!” I see a lot of authors using the baby metaphor to describe their books. I can definitely see why. All that time. All that nurturing. And that uncanny reflection where you see parts of yourself staring straight backContinue reading “Your book is your baby – so find the right babysitter!”
Is it me, myself or I? The correct use of first person pronouns.
Sara Rosinsky’s wisdom needs to be shared widely. I’d like to add that the same goes for the word ‘myself’. Subjects: Jessica and myself have organised a workshop. ❌Jessica and I have organised a workshop. ✅ Objects: Please address all enquiries to myself. ❌Please address all enquires to me. ✅ I love Sara’s phrasing: ‘DespiteContinue reading “Is it me, myself or I? The correct use of first person pronouns.”
Save The Cat! Writes a Novel. A great book about story structure. Have you read it?
🤩 I’ll tell you what I’m loving about Save the Cat! Writes a Novel so far: 📚 the examples. The novels which are referenced to back up the claims about story structure. There’s a really nice balance in the selection of texts across genres, styles, eras, audiences. It’s just a stroke of luck that IContinue reading “Save The Cat! Writes a Novel. A great book about story structure. Have you read it?”
Is it to faze or to phase?
😳 To faze = the verb you’re looking for when someone is rattled. Often we use it to report that we weren’t flustered. 👍 I wasn’t fazed. ✅ And that’s correct. ❌ Step away from the use of ‘phased’ for this intended meaning. ❌ ‘I wasn’t phased’ is incorrect. 😳 Faze = (verb) to disconcert/discombobulateContinue reading “Is it to faze or to phase?”
Do you need a space between the number and the symbol in percentages? That’s where the Chigago Manual of Style comes in handy!
My buddy for today’s work. To be a good proofreader and editor, you don’t need to know everything. You just need to know what to look up and where. Armed with this book, Google and editorial buddies, I can find the answers to life’s big questions like: 💯 Should there be a space between theContinue reading “Do you need a space between the number and the symbol in percentages? That’s where the Chigago Manual of Style comes in handy!”
Q. How do I get my book finished this year? A. Read this. ⬇️
📍 Why booking a slot with me will help you finish your novel. Have you decided 2022 is the year you’ll finish and publish your book? I can help you make that happen. — 🔊 I’m partway through listening to Robert B. Cialdini Ph.D’s book, Influence. A scenario he shares about a woman who wantedContinue reading “Q. How do I get my book finished this year? A. Read this. ⬇️”
Is it everyday or every day?
❓ Do you use the word ‘commonplace’ or one of its synonyms often? From time to time, I’m sure. You sometimes need to say that things are usual or ordinary. But my gut feeling is that you use the phrase ‘every day’ more regularly. ✅ I brush my teeth every day. ✅ I check myContinue reading “Is it everyday or every day?”