Words & Deeds

January 5, 2017

Articles Are Important. Don’t Believe Me? Here Are 3 Examples to Prove It.

Articles: a, an, and the. Three little words that are often overlooked or outright dismissed, especially by math-minded people or people with English as their second language. No, really – I do a lot of editing for writers in both categories, and from experience, I can tell you that both definitely tend to skip articles. I’ll tell you the same thing I...

Grammar & Editing/Humor & Wordplay Comment: 1

January 3, 2017

A Writing Prompt for Exploring New Possibilities

The beginning of a new year seems like a good time for a writing prompt for exploring new possibilities. That’s what a new year is about, right? Exploring new possibilities, trying new paths, getting a second chance – it’s a time when our point-of-view changes changes from what is to what could be. In other words, it’s a time of...

Creativity Builders/Plotting Exercises/Writing Prompts Comments: 0

January 1, 2017

3 New Year’s Resolutions That Aren’t Going to Be Easy

All other 2016 disappointments aside (and I’m sure you can think of a few), it wasn’t the best year for me in a writing sense. In 2015, I got a lot more writing done, and I was better about meeting my deadlines. Granted, they were self-imposed deadlines, but without that level of discipline, forward progress is halting or, at best,...

Creative Process/General Thoughts & Updates Comment: 1

December 31, 2016

7 Product Grammar Fails: The Tip of the Iceberg

Maybe, it was the 200th time I saw the pet adoption sticker above and wanted a red marker. Or it could’ve been all the advertising I see that ignores direct address rules. Like every sports ad ever. Whatever the reason, I found myself particularly aware of products with bad grammar this holiday season. Here are 7 product grammar fails that I...

Grammar & Editing Comments: 0

December 27, 2016

Christmas Is Not a Date: A Mary Ellen Chase Quote

Whether Christmas is the highlight of your year or a torment you simply attempt to survive, may kindness, generosity, and caring live in your hearts and minds the whole year round. Happy holidays, everyone! Em

General Thoughts & Updates/Quotes, Words, & Phrases Comments: 0

December 22, 2016

4 Christmas Stories You’ve Probably Never Heard of

Bloggers who emphasize writing and reading have a tendency to write about good holiday books (A.K.A. Christmas stories) when it gets close to December 25th. I can’t blame them (I’m just as guilty); however, I’ve noticed that lists like “The Twelve Books of Christmas” often overlook stories that I, personally, consider to be holiday gems. Don’t get me wrong: I...

Reviews & Recommended Reading Comments: 0

December 21, 2016

Today’s Post Delayed Further Due to Ow

So… this evening, I kind of closed a garage door on 3 fingers of my right hand (my write hand… get it? [Sorry]). Nothing’s majorly damaged, but I haven’t felt like typing too much since then (Sorry?). I’ll try to catch up tomorrow. -Em

General Thoughts & Updates Comments: 0

December 15, 2016

Holiday Heaven or Hell: A Writing Prompt for Points of View Practice

What do the holidays mean to you? Have you been looking forward to Christmas since December 26th, 2015, or dreading the holiday’s approach since big box stores starting playing carols in September? Why do people even have such different points of views in the first place? Explore the reasons with this writing prompt: Holiday Heaven or Hell. What Makes the...

Characterization Exercises/Holiday & Seasonal/Writing Prompts Comments: 0

December 13, 2016

You Might Be a Writer If…

Do you qualify as a writer? Read my list and find out (Ok, ok. You already know. Read it for giggles!). Ready? You might be a writer if… 10. You love to read. You’re definitely a bibliophile. In fact, you love a good story – whether it’s written into a book, transformed into a movie, performed on stage, or simply...

General Thoughts & Updates/Humor & Wordplay Comments: 0

December 8, 2016

Very Different Takes on Fairy Folklore

Maybe it’s all the commercials with not-so-bright Christmas elves (sometimes annoyingly so), but lately, I’ve had faeries on the brain. And, being me, that makes me think of how they’re used in books and how different authors have very different takes on fairy folklore. Have you ever listed all the books you’ve read that used old fairy folklore as inspiration? Well, don’t...

General Thoughts & Updates/Inspiration/Research & Worldbuilding Comments: 0