Category: style
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Everything’s a Metaphor—7 Ways to Build Meaning into Your Story
I should begin by clarifying what I mean by “metaphor.” I do not mean abstract symbolism that you force the reader to dig through, so […]
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7 Ways to Eradicate the Copulative (How to Get Rid of the Verb “To Be”)
“To be, or not to be?” Not is usually the answer. Eliminate the verb “to be.” This basic writing and revision tip you’ll hear all […]
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10 Steps to Punch Up Your Prose
If you read a lot, you’ve probably read at least one author you admire. Her words seem to flow through your heart like a river. […]
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When Great Authors Break the Rules
Can you guess which novel the following beginning comes from? Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they […]
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Should You Always Avoid the Verb “To Be”?
A fundamental rule of style is that you should avoid the verb “to be,” preferring instead strong, descriptive verbs that show, rather than tell. As […]
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Finding the Right Word: 7 Unusually Useful Online Word Tools
Because I’m a writer, when one of my friends can’t think of the right word for what they’re trying to say, they turn to me. […]
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Pet Peeves: Loose Instead of Lose
I have a long list of pet peeves, some that bug me more than others. One that I see popping up more and more is […]
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Sick and Writing
I was thinking about the first letter to the editor I got published. And this is all I’m going to post about this weekend, for […]
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