With just a couple of days left in 2021, I wanted to take a quick second to thank everyone. I'm not here to share any writing and grammar knowledge or convince you to buy my new book, Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion For The Written Word. All I want to do is share a special thank you for a great year as your friendly neighborhood writer, editor, and author! Thank you for allowing me to chase my passion – to do something I truly enjoy. Many people don't get that

When I sat down to write my book, one of the first things I did before writing each chapter was to look for inspiration from the amazing writers who came before me. Whether it be about writer's block, overcoming the fear of writing, or even thoughts on how to be a better storyteller, there are always valuable nuggets of information out there. And the best part was that I didn't have to scour the internet for long to find exactly what I needed. Stephen King, Ernest Hemingway,

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. Today, we'll be talking about the difference between Gray and Grey. 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, of course! The purpose of today's blog post is to explain the difference so that you can be a grammar pro moving forward. Gray and Grey are both correct spellings of the popular color, tho

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. Today, we'll be talking about the difference between Vain, Vein, and Vane. Do you find yourself getting tripped up on these? If you do, you're not alone. Vain, Vein, and Vane are homophones — words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. The purpose of today's blog post is to explain the difference so that you can be a grammar pro moving forward. Vain is used to refer to someone who arrogantly admires themse

Anyone who has seen our social media posts over the years has probably seen a few pictures of unfortunate grammar and spelling fails found in everyday life. Mind you; I'm not talking about minor flubs. I'm talking about the obvious ones that are so funny they end up going viral on the Internet. Over the years, we've captured a few of our own, had others shared with us, and found several more online. Below are some of our favorites. If you don't laugh, you should seriously che

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. In today's blog post, let's discuss the difference between Feat vs. Feet. Do you know when to use each one? Feat vs. Feet 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? Feat refers to an incredible and noteworthy achievement or act that is out of the ordinary and requires significant courage, strength

A student reached out to us recently asking if we'd be willing to answer a few basic questions about the world of writing and editing. A soon-to-be high school senior, this young lady shared that she wants to edit books someday and possibly work for a publishing company. Naturally, we were happy to help and tried our best to give some quick on-the-spot answers in e-mail form without getting too wordy. Below are three of the questions she asked. I'm sharing in case you've cons

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. In today's blog, let's discuss the difference between Capital vs. Capitol. Do you know when to use each one? Capital vs. Capitol 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? Capital with an "al" at the end has several meanings. It can be used when talking about uppercase letters or when referring to

I've been fortunate to work closely with some really good editors over the years. Sadly, not every writer can say the same. Maybe this has happened to you? You turn over your novel or magazine feature article to an editor for a thorough once-over, thinking the "extra set of eyes" will uncover all the things you can't because, well, you've been lookin' at the thing for way too long. * Spelling mistakes * Grammatical errors * Formatting issues * Plot holes and weak transitions

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. In today's blog entry, let's discuss the difference between Discuss vs. Discus. Do you know when to use each one? Most people will say they do know the difference. And yet, I see this mistake repeatedly in written copy ranging from school papers and published articles to blogs and social media posts. So, let's talk about it a little bit. And maybe by the end of this, we'll all be less confused. Discuss (with the double "s") simply

Hey, guys and gals. Just in case you've been living under a rock, Mother's Day is Sunday. It can be difficult trying to find the perfect gift at the store, especially if you're looking to give her something different from the norm. So how about writing her a special love letter? Love letters, poems, and anything heartfelt go a long way in showing mom just how much she is loved and appreciated. Granted, I understand that what I'm suggesting isn't a unique concept. But while th

Why do you think the majority of people visit your website? Before you answer, let's rule out a few options: It looks really nice It's easy to navigate You have cool photos and graphics You've got a great sales pitch I'm not saying these aren't important. A website should stand out, have all the bells and whistles, be visually pleasing, help you get found, and highlight your products and services. In fact, hiring a website designer rather than doing it yourself ensures you ch

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. In today's blog entry, let's discuss the difference between Dessert vs. Desert. Do you know when to use each one? Most people will say they do know the difference. And yet, I see this mistake time and again in written copy ranging from school papers and published articles to blogs and social media posts. It's OK. I'm not here to poke fun. I have to stop and think about this one, too! So, let's talk about it a little bit. And maybe

Edit This®, your friendly neighborhood writing and editing service, is another year older! That's right. Today, we celebrate our 7th anniversary! IT'S EDIT THIS DAY!!! I can't say thank you enough to every family member, friend, client, business partner, and everyone in between for the love and support as I continue to live and breathe my dream job! I've been in the writing and editing industry for 24 years, but when I went off on my own seven years ago – on April Fools' Day,

Welcome to another Edit This® grammar lesson. In today's blog, let's discuss the difference between Stationary vs. Stationery. Do you know when to use each one? Stationary vs. Stationery 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? Stationary with an "ary" refers to something that isn't supposed to move. It's fixed in place, unchanging, and imm

Starting a blog was the best thing I could have done for my writing and editing business. Not only has it kept me top of mind with clients, but it's being shared more as time goes by – putting me in front of potential clients, other writers, and people who enjoy good content. If you're a business owner, it's time to overcome any weird hangups you might have about starting a blog and jump on the bandwagon. When done right, the benefits are immeasurable. Here are 20 reasons why

Valentine's Day is Sunday! If you're looking for something a little different than chocolates and fun candy hearts to give your loved one, write something heartfelt like a poem or love letter. People write heartfelt messages to their loved ones all the time for a variety of reasons and special occasions. But some shy away because they aren't sure the words will come out right. If this is you, don't hold back this Valentine's Day. Write whatever comes from the heart because it

Today, we have an Edit This® grammar lesson based on a specific question from one of our loyal readers! This reader would like to know the difference between Premier vs. Premiere. Do you know when to use each one? Premier and Premiere 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, here is the quick answer: Premier refers to someone or something that is the best or first in posi

Christmas is finally here. But if you're like me, you're probably still trying to buy a few last-minute gifts for friends, family, and perhaps that loveable writer in your life. Some people might think all a writer needs is a laptop, a notepad, a pen, and plenty of ideas. Those certainly are important, but it's not always as simple as that. From office and desk tools to go-to resources, there are so many essentials every writer needs at their fingertips to help them work effi

All writers should blog. But it's not easy coming up with creative blog post ideas week after week, month after month, and year after year to entertain readers. If you're suddenly struggling to find new ideas, I get it. I've maintained a weekly Edit This® blog for four years, and though my "idea well" hasn't run dry, it has taken plenty of planning, thinking outside the box, and a little bit of luck to keep going. With that in mind, I'm all about helping out my fellow writers