Writing Like You Mean It

I recently went to a brief writing retreat at a cabin reserved for writers near the Finger Lakes. It was, to put it mildly, remote. But the windows offered a lovely view of a lot of rain on leaves that were turning color. The rain is probably what kept me writing. No temptation to go […]

New Service for Self-Pub Authors!

Have you finally finished your book, thinking you are ready to self-pub, but still have that nagging feeling that there might be grammatical errors or typos? What about dropped plot lines or inconsistencies? I can help. I will proofread your novel, using Microsoft Word Review and Track Changes, correcting any typo/grammar issues and noting any […]

Do Spelling and Grammar REALLY Matter?

I have encountered so many “writers” who have terrible spelling and seem to take a finished work and sprinkle commas over it with a salt shaker. This just is not going to work if you are going to call yourself a writer. One young man asked me to read something he had written and give […]

Why Don’t Schools Teach the Basics?

I’ve discovered that the system used in our local public school to teach our children basic grammar and spelling has failed my child. Word Study is officially my enemy. Word Study is not actually a study of words. It is recognizing patterns in words. You don’t actually spell them. Oh, and you don’t define them, […]

Freelancers Alert! Your Must-Have Resources

There are many writers who believe that everything they need is free online. They believe that there is no need for any kind of resource beyond Google. I hate to tell you this, but there are a few resources that will make you a better, more effective writer. What I consider to be the most […]