Writing

We all know that palindromes read the same in either direction. The most common forms are words like civic, mom, or mum and dad. But as a literary device, a palindrome can be far more complex than single words. It can also be phrases, sequences, or word-playful poems. I doubt that you would give them…

The questions new writers ask usually fall into two general categories. The first is about trying to find a starting point. In other words, how can I become a writer? The second group of questions is often about confidence. Am I good enough? Over the years, new writers have asked me so many questions that…

When you describe the weather in writing, you set the scene for your story or a part of your story. It’s an opportunity to show readers the setting rather than tell them about the weather using a couple of quick adjectives. Using highly descriptive or figurative language and a variety of grammar structures helps you…

Is it a good idea to keep everything you write? Yes, definitely. Words have value, even if you might not think so at the time. What you might think is a failure today could be the germ of a terrific idea tomorrow. If you are a new, young writer, make it a habit to save…

What is fluff in writing? It is when you use words that add little or no value to a text for a reader. Fluff can be words and phrases that are off-topic, hard to understand, unclear, unnecessary, boring, or added only to increase the word count. Every writer uses a bit of fluff in the…

If you want to become a better writer, one of the most important skills is understanding who you are writing for. Many writing guides focus on grammar, voice, and style, and those matter, but they often miss a key point: clarity comes from knowing your readers. When you can picture your audience, your writing becomes…

Great ideas don’t always strike you at convenient times, and that’s when mobile writing apps can be a big help. If you are writing a book or planning to, your choice is usually a desktop application or word processor. But some writers might use a phone app for short-form writing. However, no matter how you…

Learning to write in formal register is easy once you understand the basics. When you write a job application, a business letter, an essay, or an academic article, you need to use the formal register. It’s not only used in writing. In speaking, we use the formal voice when addressing a doctor or judge, or…

I’m reaching out to you, or I’m contacting you. Do you have a preference? Perhaps both of them are okay for you. I might be showing my age, but I prefer to be contacted than reached out because it’s grammatically impossible to use it in the passive voice. You can’t say I was reached out…