Author: Suzanne
One Word Creates Focus
For the past ten years, when the calendar turns to December, I choose my new Word of the Year. One word on which to focus my attention to attract that attribute or blessing into my life during the coming year. “Celebrate” was my goal that first year. After my mother’s death, I lost the ability […]
Can’t Beat These Christmas Gifts for Writers—But You Can Win Them
Each year at this time I either share some ideas about gifts for the writer in your life or a story tied to the season. I’m swamped with projects, so even though there’s a Christmas Elf story running around in my head, there’s been no time to get it on the page. Yet. Instead of […]
Giving Thanks for Writers
Sadly, no one sent names of combat correspondents they wished to honor. But we know they are out there. Those men and women who serve their country while recording the nature of war for posterity. I’m thankful for all writers. For those who write only for themselves, to free their pain or express their joy. […]
Third Wednesday: Embezzled vs. Emblazoned
Our example sentence is one from a long list sent to me by a reader. Sadly, over a dozen examples of misused words came from one book she was reading. So let’s take a look at the first word from that list. “Each piece of crystal on the long table was embezzled with the royal […]
Through the Eyes of Combat Correspondents
History’s most famous war correspondent, Ernie Pyle was not an enlisted man, instead reporting for Scripps-Howard newspaper chain. He wrote not from the perspective of generals and leaders of nations, but from that of the private and sergeant on the frontlines of Sicily, Italy, France, and North Africa. His words mirrored what resided in the […]
Speaking With Young Writers
This morning I had the honor and pleasure of talking with a group from Mrs. Wendy McClure’s fifth-grade writing class at Meadow Lands Elementary School. Each month she selects not the students who write the best, but those who made the most effort. Their reward is a special lunch with their teachers and the teaching […]
4 Ways to Scare the Socks Off Your Readers
Stop me if you’ve heard this one. A monster walks into a bar. . . One patron is terrified because the monster looks like nature’s worst nightmare. Another patron shakes with fright because he can’t see the monster, but he knows there’s something after him. The third patron’s fear arises from recognizing the monster and […]
Third Wednesday: Neigh vs. Nigh
This week let’s talk about another look-alike pair of words, even though these two don’t sound alike. This is the way our first word was used in a book. “‘The end of your tyranny is neigh,’ cackled the wizard as he raised his staff.” Neigh – loud, characteristic cry of a horse; to make […]