Every Careless Word

You’re judged by your spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

In their Facebook posts one week, several authors took issue with people they called grammar-shamers. They wanted to be judged by their online substance, not their delivery.

They missed the point.

If an error — of any kind — distracts a reader from your message, then you’ve failed to communicate clearly. Authors are judged by their written words. Once you put out your shingle as a … Continue reading

Catching Flack

And other reasons you may need an editor.

“I hope I don’t catch flack from my wife,” the author wrote me, “for having to write on Mother’s Day.”

I understood what he meant, even if he didn’t type flak.

 What’s the difference? The first means a publicity agent. The second is a burst of anti-aircraft fire. I know which one I’d rather catch.

How can you insure … Continue reading