The Writing Life
“Continually” and “continuously” are two words I never can keep straight. I always have to revisit their definitions and rules of usage. Because of that, I’ve decided to write a Write Right post about the two words if only so that I’ll have a resource in the future.
[Read more…] about Write Right: Continually and Continuously
I know of no rigid rules regarding bullet points and how to punctuate them. Because of that, I defer to two principles. One is consistency. The other is the effect on the page, that is, the visual element.
[Read more…] about Write Right: Bullet Points and Punctuation Marks
A few weeks ago, a reader asked for my thoughts on using dialect in dialogue. He wanted to know if it were a wise choice. My answer almost was immediate: “Don’t do it.”
A number of words begin with “al+”; however, a number of them do not. They are common misspellings to which even I have succumbed upon occasion. I try to keep all the words organized and correct, but, yes, even the person behind Write Right is human. I make mistakes. I use the wrong word, sometimes an altogether wrong and non-existent word.
I know; I know. I’m being persnickety with today’s post. Some may accuse me of being a grammar Nazi. My reply: read this post about why I dislike the term “grammar Nazi.” Now I may continue with my persnicketiness.
A reader asked on “Write Right: Complement versus Compliment” that I talk about pique, peek, and peak. I’m happy to comply. I’ve added “pick” both because of its similarity in sound to the other three words and because I need the word to make this post work. Thus is the life at Write Right. Words are added or subtracted because of need or creative direction.