Are split infinitives still a grammar don't? It may be the most famous split infinitive of all time — Star Trek's opening-sequence voice over: "To boldly go where no man has gone before" That's a split infinitive, because the adverb "boldly" separates, or splits, the verb "to go." So, is that OK? Are split infinitives acceptable in modern English usage? Or does good … [Read more...] about Splitting headache
Writing skills
Write better right now
Polish your skills for less than the price of a pizza Now you can get all the tools you need to write better, easier and faster — for less than the price of a good pizza each month. Silver membership If you like this e-zine, you'll love Rev Up Readership — our monthly newsletter that's brimming with writing tools and tipsheets. It's like a half-day writing workshop … [Read more...] about Write better right now
Do writing tools matter?
Last typewriter factory (sort of) closes Tears welled and teeth gnashed last month after the world’s last office typewriter factory — Godrej & Boyce in Mumbai, India — announced that it would close. (The last portable typewriter factory, Swintec in Moonachie, N.J., is still cranking them out. Swintec survives on prison contracts for clear typewriters in which … [Read more...] about Do writing tools matter?
Model the masters
Make a mentor of your favorite writer Did you ever take your mom's toaster apart to figure out how it worked? You can do the same thing with writing. It's called modeling the masters: studying the best writing out there for technique, form and process, then incorporating what you've learned into your own copy. It’s the best way I know to polish your skills. To get … [Read more...] about Model the masters
Make Ann your personal trainer
Pump up your writing with one-on-one coaching Ever wish you had a writing coach — sort of a personal editorial trainer? In customized one-on-one consultations, I'll help you jump-start your writing skills, recharge your batteries and get your creative juices flowing. We'll work on your own copy — not made-up assignments with little relationship to your work. You’ll learn … [Read more...] about Make Ann your personal trainer