Blog
“I’m fed up with website hype!”
My friend (I’ll call her Sally) told me she was fed up with website hype. Hype cost her dearly. Sally had just paid a bunch o' money for a site update she couldn't use. I'll share my friend's costly story, but first: here's an idea that may help you before you're...
It’s Left-Handers’ Day
Hey, freelance journalists, here's a 'newsjack' idea for you: Have schools' attitudes about left-handers changed? When my dad grew up, schools forced retraining of ‘southpaws.’ Or tried to, until they came up against Gramma Mary. 😎 She intervened and embraced...
Rescue your proofing budget!
Do you remember that D+ report in high school? The one with sentence fragments and wrong words in place of the right ones? Yeah. That report. Mom wasn't happy. Let me help you avoid this problem and save money on proofing your company documentation. ’Cause in the real...
It’s National French Fry Day
Freelance writers: an interesting ‘newsjack’ for ya! OK ... who'da thunk it? There's an honest-to-goodness fun holiday celebrating French fries. I'm sure all you freelance writers out there have your own story about this crunchy treat. 'Newsjack' this idea! Here's my...
“Say WHAT?!”
As a proofer, I sometimes shake my head in wonder and chuckle at word problems. This headline, for example: How Much it Costs for a Family to Live in 20 U.S. Cities "Say what?!" I thought it was difficult paying our bills, but 20 different places to keep up? The...
International Axe Throwing Day
Are you looking for a different-angle news story? I think I can help you with that. Take a look at my Fun Holiday, this month. Hurry to get it on the schedule, because International Axe Throwing Day is coming up on Wednesday. This sport takes skill, helps with...
‘Newsjacking’ Harry and Meghan
To paraphrase the classic song, "We're just wild about H-a-r-r-y." For Brits and Yanks, the May 19, 2018, wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is still on our minds as this posts 18 days later. If you are a writer, you can use this topic tomorrow or 10 years from...
Happy World Turtle Day
OK ... nuthin' difficult here, today. Just a new feature on the website (Fun Holiday) and a cute joke: What does a snail say when he's riding on the back of a turtle? He says, "Whe-e-e-e!" (Nope. It doesn't take much to entertain me.) World Turtle Day For those...
5 Steps to ‘Non-Overwhelm’
Plural Puzzlers
No! Don’t listen to Obi-Wan! Don’t 'move along.' It’s time we face the music on these words, because we tend to spell (and say) their plural forms incorrectly. When I see these in clients' files, it takes time to correct them. Of course, this means more cost to the...
“Can I use ‘their’ in sentences ?”
One of the things I especially like about having my own writing business is the ability to help when a volunteer group needs a newsletter or a final look-see for a website. This is one place I can ‘give back to the community,’ as well as help someone who is in panic...
WHAT is ‘parallel structure’ ?!
OK. You’ve received a digital hand slap from your online English instructor, or the teacher at your school 'bled all over' your report in red ink. The comment was something about needing 'parallel structure' on your lists. What in the world is parallel structure ?...
Comma Conundrum
I read an article about a gentleman who said “Yes” to teaching a Sunday school class, but quickly realized he didn’t like it. At all. Although he hated disappointing his pastor, it was time to fess up. The minister helped find a better 'fit' for his parishioner, and...
Brit-speak: is it just me?
In early 2016 - you may recall with great trepidation - the series Downton Abbey ended its run on PBS (the Public Broadcasting System in the United States). And lo! there was an outcry in the land! Whether it's Downton Abbey, Victoria, or Poldark, if you watch a lot...
‘Him,’ ‘Me,’ and ‘I’: Grammar Check
(Originally published on March 2, 2016) “I’m correcting your grammar in my head.” Oh, how I wish I had bought that sign for my office, just to start each day with a grin ... or a grumble, depending on the situation. Here's one of the 'grumbles': Over the past couple...
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