This set of sound-alike words tripped up the author in the book I read this morning. Here’s a paraphrase of the wrong use: “The old woman used her cane for emphasis as she proceeded with stately gate across the town square.” Gate – a movable framework or solid structure controlling access through a wall […]
Transformational Words
Mining the Emotions of the Past
A couple of weeks ago I attended a reading and book signing by author Susanna Kearsley. She was promoting her new historical novel, A Desperate Fortune, which I enjoyed immensely. (Note: This is not a book review, only my thoughts on what makes Kearsley’s book work on all levels.) I find it fascinating to discover […]
How to Figure Out What You’re Writing
I’m sure some of the writers I coach become frustrated when I ask them, “What are you writing?” They eagerly launch into detailed descriptions of their characters and every moment of action taking place in their story. Until I stop them and ask, “In no more than one hundred words, what’s your story about?” Most […]
Third Wednesday: Leavened vs. Leveled
So many English words have similar sounds that it’s easy to use the wrong one if you don’t pay attention. This example illustrates the importance of knowing the meaning of every word you select. “Past the ditch and the stubble of last year’s soybean crop, the field leavened out.” Leavened – to make light, […]
Riding the Story Flow
Have you ever had the bulk of a new story drop into your consciousness while you teetered on the edge of sleep? It happens to me every once in a while, and that’s what I experienced a couple of nights ago. I wasn’t planning to start a new manuscript. I wasn’t even looking for a […]
Fooled by Sneaky Serials
Okay, Author. You did it again. Sucked me in with that blurb promising an exciting adventure. The start of an intriguing new series. At almost four hundred pages, it took me a few evenings to read your book. You built three separate plot lines, threading them together, weaving back and forth. You presented conspiracies, made […]
Crushing the Could’ve, Would’ve, Should’ve Demons
Can you believe March is nearly gone? Maybe it doesn’t feel possible because we’ve spent so much time over the past three months responding to weather events and longing for spring. Well, spring is on the doorstep, and she’s bringing flowering surprises around each corner, spiders intent on finding indoor homes, and a lawn full […]
Third Wednesday: Lose/Loose and Loser/Looser
Repeat after me. Spellcheck is not my friend. I can’t begin to count the books, articles, and posts I’ve seen in which this month’s words are misused. Most of the time, it’s “lose” and “loser” that get bashed, but on occasion “loose” and “looser” show up for their share of trouble. Because Spring is finally […]
There Are Only Two Kinds of Books
Last week there was a wave of online articles and blog posts related to which books girls and boys should read. The first came to me through a blog post by author Shannon Hale, after receiving an invitation to speak about her books and writing career at a grade school. When she arrived, she discovered […]
Third Wednesday: Less vs. Fewer
It’s hard at times to remember the rules defining words that sound like they mean the same thing. Take “less” and “fewer.” On hearing either of those words, you’ll probably picture a pie with a slice missing, or your brother’s piece of pie that’s twice as wide as yours. News stories sometimes get these words […]