Angela and Becca have asked me to comment on the most common “mistakes” I see in the manuscripts I assess and edit. I’ve tried to used more of a big picture view here, rather than a list of nags about missing or excessive apostrophes or dangling participles or misplaced modifiers (very common, by … [Read more...] about Grammbo Speaks: The Manuscripts Editors Don’t Want to See
Blog
Setting Thesaurus Entry: Coffee House
Sight High counters, chrome espresso/frothing machines, blenders, metal thermometers, jugs of fresh foam, jugs of milk, coffee grinders sacks of coffee beans, coffee pots, mugs, paper cups, stir sticks, shakers of cinnamon & cocoa, chocolate shavings, bottles of coffee... Sounds coffee … [Read more...] about Setting Thesaurus Entry: Coffee House
Emotion Thesaurus Entry: Distraction
A glazed look, a wandering gazeWatching the TV, reading a book and then realizing you have no idea what's happeningMind wandering during a conversationDigging through pockets or purseChecking email/texting/messaging instead of focusing on a person or taskLosing a train of thoughtForgetting what one … [Read more...] about Emotion Thesaurus Entry: Distraction
Setting Thesaurus Entry: Sleep-Away Camp
Sight wood cabins, bunk beds, curtained windows, sleeping bags and pillows, window a/c units, ceiling fans, locker, cobwebs, volleyball nets, basketball hoops, horseshoe pits, picnic tables, tug-of-war rope, archery targets, bows and arrows, bins full of art supplies... Sounds kids … [Read more...] about Setting Thesaurus Entry: Sleep-Away Camp
Emotion Thesaurus Entry: Indifference
When it comes to emotion, sometimes we need a brainstorming nudge. After all, each character will express their feelings differently depending on their personality, emotional range, and comfort zone. We hope this short, sample list of expressions will help you better imagine how your character might … [Read more...] about Emotion Thesaurus Entry: Indifference
Setting Thesaurus Entry: Farms
Sight Rambling ranch house, barn, silo, chicken coop, fenced-off green pastures, rows of growing produce, scarecrow, gardens, fruit orchard, sunflowers, pond, horses, cows, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, geese, dogs, cats, corn, wheat, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes... Sounds Chickens … [Read more...] about Setting Thesaurus Entry: Farms
Emotion Thesaurus Entry: Overwhelmed
When it comes to emotion, sometimes we need a brainstorming nudge. After all, each character will express their feelings differently depending on their personality, emotional range, and comfort zone. We hope this short, sample list of expressions will help you better imagine how your character might … [Read more...] about Emotion Thesaurus Entry: Overwhelmed
Clichés…The Poisoned Apple of Description
It's been awhile since my last cliché post, so I thought I'd look at the temptation aspect of clichés, and why writers are drawn to using them when faced with tough description choices. The way I see it, there are four main reasons to reach for the Poisoned Apple and chow down on it: 1) … [Read more...] about Clichés…The Poisoned Apple of Description
Mmmmm…
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! It's that lovely time of year when us Canadians get to drench everything in gravy, guilt free, and be thankful for all we have. It makes me sad that my Americano cohort Becca must wait a month for her turn at the gravy boat, so I'm officially declaring this a … [Read more...] about Mmmmm…
Setting Description Thesaurus: Amusement Park
Sights Ferris wheel, roller coaster, haunted house, log ride, tea cup ride, sizzler, swinging pirate ship, mazes, fun house mirrors, Psychic tent, spinning apple ride, airplane ride, pony ride, boat rides, water gun boats, mini golf, go carts, bumper cars, merry-go-round, slides, kiddie ball … [Read more...] about Setting Description Thesaurus: Amusement Park
Emotion Thesaurus Entry: Uncertainty
When it comes to emotion, sometimes we need a brainstorming nudge. After all, each character will express their feelings differently depending on their personality, emotional range, and comfort zone. We hope this short, sample list of expressions will help you better imagine how your character might … [Read more...] about Emotion Thesaurus Entry: Uncertainty
The Back of the Filing Cabinet
I was visiting my filing cabinet today, looking for an early draft of a manuscript as I set out on revisions again. When I couldn't find it where I'd thought I'd put it, I ended up wading deeper and deeper into the murky depths of my dead files. Deep in the back of the cabinet, I rediscovered old … [Read more...] about The Back of the Filing Cabinet