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As a general rule, most style guides and grammar references state that you should not use contractions in formal writing. However, it is a point open to debate by writers, editors, and grammarians. Some argue that language should be more relaxed now and that the days of stiff, formal writing are in the past. It…
Contractions In Formal Writing – No, Yes, Perhaps? Read More »
For new self-publishing authors, you might be wondering if you can download a copy of your published Kindle ebook from Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Yes, you certainly can. However, the process is not as straightforward as you might think, and the download link is definitely not easy to find. With other services like Smashwords…
How To Download Your Kindle Ebook From Amazon KDP Read More »
In the phrases, the door creaked open, and the door slammed shut; the words open and shut are resultative adjectives. Perhaps it’s not a grammatical term you are familiar with, but you probably use it quite often. In the examples above, you can see that the adjectives, open and shut, are derived from infinitive verbs. However, there are…
It’s no secret that most authors dread marketing and book promotion. Writing a book is a solitary endeavor of transforming your thoughts into words. But marketing is the antithesis because you need to interact and communicate with a lot of people. While not necessarily introverts, many writers and authors still find it uncomfortable to promote…
Algorithms are the invisible gatekeepers of information. Every second of every day, algorithms decide whose content and writing wins or loses. For writers and authors, Google and Amazon are two crucial platforms. Both use complex programs to determine which content or books get seen and which don’t. If you publish online content or books, a…
Algorithms Decide Who Wins And Loses In Publishing Read More »
Words that sound like noises, such as boom, splash, and meow, are called onomatopoeia or echoism. While it’s handy to know these two terms, onomatopoeia is definitely a word that is difficult to spell, pronounce, and remember. Luckily, echoism is much easier. But by either name, they are words that all writers use to add…
Deciding on a process to manage your writing drafts is a key element for all writing projects, from articles and essays to poetry and book manuscripts. A first draft is rarely, if ever, the final product. For most writers, the final draft often results from many earlier revisions and edited versions. However, new writers sometimes…
Can you use one-word sentences in writing? Definitely. You will often see sentences consisting of only one word in all types and styles of writing. The brevity and impact can help in making a point or adding emphasis. When you read fiction, you will likely come across them quite often. A sentence of one word…
One-Word Sentences In Writing Can Say More With Less Read More »
For new authors looking for a publisher, here’s one important question you should always ask. How will you print my paperback book? The answer you receive will tell you a lot about how a prospective publisher operates. The most likely answer is that the publisher will say they use print-on-demand (POD) rather than traditional offset…
When you describe past habits or states in writing, you use the phrases use to or used to. But which one is right? The answer is that both are correct, but it depends on grammar, as always. The basic rule is that used to is correct in the positive form, while use to is correct…
Use To Or Used To Can Be Two Tricky Little Words Read More »
