Wanna learn a new word today? How about brusque? According to Merriam-Webster, brusque (an adjective) means markedly short and abrupt OR blunt in manner or speech often to the point of ungracious harshness.
Let’s Learn a New Word (11/4/21) Read More »
Wanna learn a new word today? How about scad? According to Merriam-Webster, a scad is a large number or quantity usually used in plural, such as “scads of money.”
Let’s Learn a New Word (11/3/21) Read More »
Wanna learn a new word today? How about paragon? According to Merriam-Webster, the *noun* paragon means a model of excellence or perfection. The *verb* paragon means to compare with (parallel) or to put in rivalry (match). As a huge gamer, I can’t see this word without thinking of the Mass Effect games. Paragon and renegade.
Let’s Learn a New Word (10/29/21) Read More »
Something I often come across when proofreading dialogue-heavy fiction are dialogue tags that aren’t actually dialogue tags. To clarify, in order for a word to be considered a dialogue tag, it needs to “be about speaking.” For instance, “smiled” is not a dialogue tag because someone can’t “smile” a sentence. If a writer is intent
What’s a Dialogue Tag? (And What Isn’t) Read More »
As I’m proofreading, I often come across errant em dashes. Many people don’t know if these should be surrounded by spaces or not. Here’s a brief refresher. According to the Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS), em dashes are not surrounded by spaces. However, AP (the Associated Press) does want a space both before and after
How To Properly Space Those Em Dashes Read More »
Just finished up a quick turnaround copyedit on a short story. I now have another sample edit to complete and submit, then I start a proofread of a fantasy novel tomorrow. I’ve already committed to several other short stories in the coming weeks as well. Plus I’m still waiting to hear back from some authors
A Quick Update (10/19/21) Read More »
Wanna learn a new word today? How about straphanger? According to Merriam-Webster, a straphanger is a standing passenger in a subway, streetcar, bus, or train who clings for support to one of the short straps or similar devices placed along the aisle.
Let’s Learn a New Word (10/18/21) Read More »
Wanna learn a new word today? How about hobgoblin? This is a great word for this time of the year. According to Merriam-Webster, a hobgoblin is simply a mischievous goblin. I always think of the Spiderman villain when I see this word. I also never realized there were goblins that weren’t mischievous. (Shows how much I
Let’s Learn a New Word (10/15/21) Read More »
I just learned a new word: yogi. Merriam-Webster says a yogi is a person who practices yoga. If capitalized, it is an adherent of Yoga philosophy. It can also mean a markedly reflective or mystic person. As someone whose wife is doing yoga as I type this, I had never heard this term before.
Do You Know What a Yogi Is? Read More »
(I’ll preface this post by saying that I live in the US.) So I have to share this Merriam-Webster tidbit. When you search “realtor” in M-W, the only result that comes back is “Realtor.” That’s right: it’s capitalized. The definition M-W gives is “used for a real estate agent who is a member of the
“Realtor” Should Be Capitalized? What? Read More »