Blog
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Talented head chef in need of editorial assistance
Here’s a perplexing sentence which recently caught my eye. It appeared on the front page of a local newspaper that shall remain nameless. “As the current head chef of Melbourne’s fine dining, the European Restaurant,…
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The three things editors see (and why you need our expertise)
Writers of all kinds are often advised to have someone look at their work before they publish it, post it, submit it or otherwise share it. Such readers are typically colleagues or friends who can…
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How to look more professional
Want to know the simplest way to look more professional in your writing? Ultimately, my friends, it’s all about style. I’m not talking here about grace or glamour, nor the seemingly effortless ease with which…
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Are you excited? (It’s a question of prepositions)
There is a curious linguistic trend I’ve observed. It concerns the preposition linked with the word “excited”. Before we get too enthused, let me remind you that a preposition is a word which indicates a…
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The importance of crafting your written expression
It happened in an art gallery. Of course. Amid the burble of opening night chatter, surrounded by inspiring artwork, an idea arrived surprisingly in my mind. “I could start a business,” I thought. “I’ll call…
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Disambiguate this! Who are “they”?
This is the first in an occasional series of posts focusing on disambiguation, which is an essential element in effective writing and copyediting. And before we go any further, let me assure you that “disambiguate”…
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Books that live on my desk
To begin with, there’s the dictionary. It’s always a good place to start. I have a thicket of dictionaries (collective noun, anyone?) scattered about my shelves, including a hefty, two volume New Shorter Oxford. But…
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A few words on failure
It happens to the best of us. To the worst of us. To all of us. We make plans, devise resolutions. We have goals and responsibilities. Deadlines loom on not so distant horizons and obligations…
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New year’s advice for writers
I’m not really one for making new year’s resolutions. I don’t see the point. If you’re hoping to change your habits, your activities or the whole glorious jumble of your life, why wait until 1…
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A Christmas poem
In my last post, I mentioned a collection of poems by e.e. cummings among the books I stole from my parents. In it I found this treasure which I’m happy to share with you today.…
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Reflections of a literary pilferer
Here’s a question you won’t find popping out of a Christmas cracker any time soon: What do Winnie-the-Pooh, Japanese haiku, Tove Jansson’s Finn Family Moomintroll, Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable and the complete works…
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From a distance of 2.54cm
I heard an interesting phrase the other day and it’s been gliding around in my mind ever since. It was in a TED talk delivered by Elizabeth Gilbert. You know, the one who wrote Eat…