#WriteLikeYouMeanIt

Edit This Grammar Lesson: Morning vs. Mourning

Steve Gamel

1 day ago
2 min

Edit This Grammar Lesson: Morning vs. Mourning

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. In today's blog post, we will discuss morning vs. mourning. Do you know the difference between them? Morning and Mourning are examples of homophones – words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings – and they trip more people up than you think. So, let's dive right in, shall we? I probably don't have to tell you that morning refers to the first part of the day before noon. * Mornings are the best! * I am more

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New Year, New Content Needs? Add Blogs to Your Writing Strategy

Steve Gamel

Jan 19
3 min

New Year, New Content Needs? Add Blogs to Your Writing Strategy

For giggles, I went back into my computer files a few weeks ago and counted all the blogs I wrote for my many small-business clients in 2022. There were 522 of them. My first thought was, "no way!" So I went back and counted again. And then again. Each time, I got the same wild number – 522. I shouldn't have been surprised. Granted, that's still an outrageous number. But it's proof that more companies than ever see value in writing blogs. They want to be thought leaders, and

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New Year, New Website? Add Unique Written Copy To Get People Talking

Steve Gamel

Jan 12
3 min

New Year, New Website? Add Unique Written Copy To Get People Talking

You've hired someone to build a site for your small business. But not just any website ... one you can be proud of that also legitimizes your company. And everything is coming together nicely, too – the colors, design and layout, functionality, and calls to action. But now you need to tie it all together with written copy. Ah, yes, written copy – that crucial storytelling element with a clearly-defined message that tells visitors who you are, what you do, why you do it, and w

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Challenging Yourself To Read More Books in 2023? I've Got One for You

Steve Gamel

Jan 5
3 min

Challenging Yourself To Read More Books in 2023? I've Got One for You

Countless social media posts have popped up lately in my feed from friends and family who are challenging themselves and others to read more books in 2023. The challenges I've seen suggest reading one book per month through the end of the year. Some want recommendations for books with shocking twists and unexpected endings. Others are more interested in motivational, business, or personal-growth books. Regardless, it's clear everyone wants to curl up with a good old-fashioned

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Edit This Grammar Lesson: Is It New Year's or New Years?

Steve Gamel

Dec 29, 2022
2 min

Edit This Grammar Lesson: Is It New Year's or New Years?

We are a few days away from the calendar shifting to 2023. Everyone's excitement has reached a fever pitch, which means I will undoubtedly be asked this age-old question before the celebrations get underway: "Should we write it as New Year's or New Years?" The quick answer is ... New Year's (with the apostrophe). Please, for the love of all things holy, do not write "New Years." Why is it New Year's? It really comes down to one thing – using an apostrophe shows possession. Po

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Thank You and Happy Holidays From Your Friendly, Neighborhood Writer and Editor

Steve Gamel

Dec 22, 2022
2 min

Thank You and Happy Holidays From Your Friendly, Neighborhood Writer and Editor

We have only a few short days left in 2022! So as your friendly neighborhood writer and editor, I wanted to take a second before everyone skedaddles for the holidays to say thank you and wish you and your family the happiest of holidays. I say "thank you" because you have allowed me to chase my passion for writing – to do something I truly enjoy. I had no clue if any of this would work when I started this journey eight years ago. Don't get me wrong; I believe in myself. But t

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Have a Few Writing Project Ideas for the New Year? Call Edit This

Steve Gamel

Dec 15, 2022
3 min

Have a Few Writing Project Ideas for the New Year? Call Edit This

Many business owners and fellow writers I've talked to are excited to slow down for the holidays and spend time with family. But that doesn't mean they're not already thinking of ways to start the New Year off strong – including incorporating a few writing project ideas. These writing projects run the gamut, by the way. For the small-business owners of the world, perhaps it's unique and engaging website copy for their outdated site or blog posts to establish themselves as the

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Just Sayin': Write Like You Mean It Makes a Great Stocking Stuffer

Steve Gamel

Dec 8, 2022
3 min

Just Sayin': Write Like You Mean It Makes a Great Stocking Stuffer

Do you know what makes a really cool stocking stuffer? That's right – my book, Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion For The Written Word. Yes ... I know. There are probably so many other things you could put inside a loved one's stocking this holiday season: Silly Putty, a mini Rubik's Cube, cheerful underwear, movie or concert tickets ... heck, even ChapStick. But if you're looking for something meaningful ... Educational ... Inspiring ... And well worth the read .

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Edit This Grammar Lesson: Illicit vs. Elicit

Steve Gamel

Dec 1, 2022
2 min

Edit This Grammar Lesson: Illicit vs. Elicit

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. In today's blog post, we will discuss illicit vs. elicit. Do you know the difference between them? Illicit and Elicit are examples of homophones – words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings – and they trip more people up than you think. So, let's dive right in, shall we? Illicit refers to something illegal, forbidden, or unlawful. * They were arrested for selling illicit drugs. * It would be difficult to k

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Happy Thanksgiving From Your Favorite Writer and Editor

Steve Gamel

Nov 23, 2022
2 min

Happy Thanksgiving From Your Favorite Writer and Editor

Happy Thanksgiving! We truly have so much to be thankful for, and I hope each of you takes at least a little time over the next day or so to express that gratitude. In fact, I want to challenge you to grab a notepad and pen and do it right now! That's right – write down a list of everything you are thankful for, whether it be about work, life, family, health, or something in between. Remind yourself of these blessings! Then share that list with your loved ones! You'll be surp

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Every Writer Needs a Good Editor: An Excerpt From Write Like You Mean It

Steve Gamel

Nov 17, 2022
2 min

Every Writer Needs a Good Editor: An Excerpt From Write Like You Mean It

Every writer needs a good editor. It doesn't matter if you're a college student who needs an extra set of eyes for an important paper or a savvy journalist whose next piece must be accurate and readable before it goes to print. You could also be an aspiring writer chipping away at your first novel, a veteran with hundreds of skins on the wall, or someone who likes to write on the side. A quality editor shapes your writing. They help it look the way you meant it to be by fixin

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Q&A Time: Get to Know Your Friendly Neighborhood Writer and Editor

Steve Gamel

Nov 10, 2022
6 min

Q&A Time: Get to Know Your Friendly Neighborhood Writer and Editor

As your friendly neighborhood writer and editor, I spend a lot of time sitting down and getting to know people. After all, you have to know the people you're writing about – where they are from ... their hobbies ... the "why" behind what they do for a living ... what makes them tick, etc. Trust me; plenty of great stories come from those conversations! And I love sharing them as a writer! But even when I'm not writing something, I just love building those relationships. I lov

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Edit This Grammar Lesson: A Lot vs. Alot

Steve Gamel

Nov 3, 2022
2 min

Edit This Grammar Lesson: A Lot vs. Alot

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. In today's blog post, we will discuss the difference between a lot vs. alot. Do you know when to use each one? The grammar and spelling nerds out there are squirming in their seats right now, exclaiming ... "Only one of those is actually a real word!!!" And they're right. But somehow ... some way, the "a lot vs. alot" debate continues to be a tough nut to crack in the English language. So let's clear up any confusion right now, sh

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Steve Gamel

Oct 27, 2022
4 min

11 Holiday Gift Ideas for Writers

I create a list of holiday gift ideas for writers every year on my website. And without fail, I always post it way too late in the season – usually sometime in mid-December. So this year, I decided to get on the ball a little earlier. After all, why wait until the last minute? Without further ado, here are 11 holiday gift ideas for writers. Granted, you may recognize a few from previous years. But there are new ones that are worth investigating! 1. New Book: Write Like You Me

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What Does a Busy Day in the Life of a Professional Writer Look Like?

Steve Gamel

Oct 20, 2022
3 min

What Does a Busy Day in the Life of a Professional Writer Look Like?

Being busy is a good problem to have when you're a professional writer. But you may be wondering, what does a busy day in the life of a professional writer look like? Great question! And the quick answer is that it all depends. For example, I could be busy sitting in front of my laptop all day while writing magazine articles, blogs, resumes, or website copy. On others, I juggle those same responsibilities with client meetings, networking events, personal matters, and piles of

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What Type of Writer Are You? An Excerpt From Write Like You Mean It

Steve Gamel

Oct 13, 2022
2 min

What Type of Writer Are You? An Excerpt From Write Like You Mean It

In a few short weeks, I'll have the privilege of standing in front of an auditorium full of eager high school students and talking to them about making a career out of writing. And I can already tell you my first question for them: What type of writer are you? I love asking this question because the reality is that no two writers are the same, and their answers – particularly from young writers just starting out – are fascinating and run the gamut. One may want to be a sports

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Edit This Grammar Lesson: Inquire vs. Enquire

Steve Gamel

Oct 6, 2022
2 min

Edit This Grammar Lesson: Inquire vs. Enquire

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. Today, we'll be talking about the difference between Inquire and Enquire. Do you find yourself getting tripped up on these? If you do, you're not alone. And why? Because they're both technically correct – depending on where you live and your audience! The purpose of today's blog post is to explain the difference so that you can be a grammar pro moving forward. Inquire and Enquire mean "to ask" or "to investigate," and both are cor

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Don't Upset the Grammar Police: How To Write Last Names on Holiday Cards

Steve Gamel

Sep 29, 2022
2 min

Don't Upset the Grammar Police: How To Write Last Names on Holiday Cards

John and Jessica love sending out holiday cards. It doesn't matter that it's still September – they are ready to get into the holiday spirit! But without fail, not a year goes by where they aren't upsetting the grammar police with an unnecessary apostrophe in their last name. I'm sure you've seen this faux pas before ... Have a spooky Halloween! Love, the Gamel's. (come on now) Happy Thanksgiving from the Gordon's. (give me a break) Merry Christmas from the Bonner's. (ugh) Pl

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Edit This Grammar Lesson: Undo vs. Undue

Steve Gamel

Sep 22, 2022
2 min

Edit This Grammar Lesson: Undo vs. Undue

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. In today's blog post, we will discuss undo vs. undue. Do you know the difference between them? Undo and Undue are examples of homophones – words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings – and they trip more people up than you think. So, let's dive right in, shall we? Undo has several meanings, including to reverse or erase. It can also mean to untie, unwrap, destroy, or cause a downfall. * I promise to undo wh

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Happy Birthday to My Book, Write Like You Mean It

Steve Gamel

Sep 15, 2022
2 min

Happy Birthday to My Book, Write Like You Mean It

I must admit that it feels strange wishing Happy Birthday to a book. But what can I say? Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion For The Written Word is officially a year old! So, I'm going to celebrate this massive life achievement unapologetically! It was exactly one year ago yesterday that I stood patiently by while Milli Brown, Founder and CEO of Brown Books Publishing Group in Dallas, handed me the inaugural copy of my first book. My palms were sweaty as I nervous

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