Derek Haines

English teacher, writer, and author. Passionate about grammar, creative writing, and self-publishing. Always exploring new tools and tech to help writers succeed.

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AI Steals Every New Word I Write, At Least 1,000 Times

AI Steals Every New Word I Write 1,000 Times

How do I know AI steals every new word I write and publish? My proof isn’t circumstantial or abstract. It’s sitting right in front of me in my site’s server logs. Every day, I see thousands of hits from AI crawlers, such as Googlebot, BingBot, ChatGPT-User, Meta-ExternalAgent, ClaudeBot, PerplexityBot, and many others you’ve probably never…

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Arcane And Archaic The Subtle Difference You Should Know

Arcane And Archaic: Mysterious Or Just Outdated?

Is it arcane or archaic? While both words describe things outside the mainstream, they aren’t interchangeable. Use arcane for things that are mysterious or hidden (like complex tax laws or secret rituals). Use archaic for things that are out of date (like dial-up internet or typewriter ribbons). The difference between arcane and archaic The meaning…

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How Writers Can Survive AI Search

How Writers Can Survive AI Search And Attract Readers

Yes, it’s tough right now, but writers can survive AI search. However, you’ll need to change your approach and mindset to find new readers from now on. If you have noticed fewer people are finding your articles or books recently, it’s no surprise. AI-generated search results that summarize information and give quick answers mean searchers…

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Conditional Sentence Variations To Avoid Using If And When

15 Conditional Sentence Variations To Avoid If And When

Conditional cause-and-effect sentences can be quite rigid, and that’s where conditional sentence variations can come in handy. While they are extremely useful, conditionals can become a little tedious if they always begin with if and when. That’s why having variations at hand can help with style, flow, rhythm, and clarity, and reduce unnecessary repetition. The…

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Confusing Words That Are Always A Trap For Writers

Confusing Words In Writing: How To Avoid Common Mistakes

Confusing words are one of the sneakiest little traps that lie in wait for writers. Some words sound the same, some look alike, while others have meanings that are only slightly different, but enough to change the sense of a sentence. Getting these wrong can make your writing confusing, awkward, or even unintentionally funny. In…

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Learn How To Describe Things You Can't See Or Touch

How To Describe Things You Can’t See Or Touch

Do you struggle when you try to describe things you can’t see or touch in your writing? It’s always easier with objects, things, and people you can see because you can use descriptive adjectives to paint a picture. But when it’s a feeling, an emotion, or an intangible abstract idea, your normal describing tools don’t…

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Overcoming The Fear Of Publishing After Writing Your Book

The Fear Of Publishing After Writing Your Book

Even the most confident authors can be struck by the fear of publishing, so don’t think that it’s only you. You’ve worked for months, or even longer, on your manuscript, and you’ve celebrated finishing the last chapter. But then your stomach starts doing cartwheels at the sudden thought of sharing your story with the world,…

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