I’m reading Amanda Lang‘s Power of Why. It’s about letting go of preconceived notions, so that we can solve problems effectively. It occurred to me that anyone holding on to the old model of print books is not harnessing the power of why. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: book, like God,… Continue Reading
Like every good Canadian editor, I keep the Canadian Oxford Dictionary at hand to confirm spellings and definitions, and the COD spells my profession as copy editor. Ironically, everywhere I look, this term is spelled inconsistently — sometimes as one word and sometimes as two. The Chicago Manual of Style uses copyeditor, and thus so… Continue Reading
I can’t believe it: I’ve started writing a novel. And has it ever given me insight into the writing process. Every writer has their methods, but I quickly discovered mine was to have a definite outline with the plot sorted out right from the beginning. Novel writing, er, writing a novel, rather, seems like an… Continue Reading
We all love to have a laugh over grammar and spelling mistakes on signs — especially when the results are hilarious — as Jay Leno and other late night show hosts can attest. Previously on this blog, I poked fun at some error-riddled signs around Toronto. Finding errors on signs was “like shootin’ fish in… Continue Reading
Self-publishing is growing by the minute. From Wattpad (check this out already!) to Amazon’s Create Space and Kindle Direct Publishing, content creators (authors seems so archaic) are finding places to share their talents, and readers are enjoying the fruits of those talents. Actually, readers themselves are agents in the creation of content, offering their praise,… Continue Reading
The End of Sex is a new book by Donna Freitas which details hook-up culture on college campuses. Freitas’s research is fascinating. She found that instead of being liberating — as is often touted — hook-up culture is leaving both young men and women feeling frustrated. Students feel forced to participate in hook-up culture because… Continue Reading
There may be many errors on local storefront signs, but these signs of spring in my Toronto neighbourhood are perfection. Happy Victoria Day weekend, everyone!
Well, this time the mistake isn’t mine. It’s hard to see with the glare, but what we’re missing here is a little thing known as parallel construction. “Men & Boys”; “Ladies & Girls.” Should be “Women & Girls” or “Gentlemen & Boys.” I know some people have an issue with ladies per se (here’s an… Continue Reading
The apostrophe is everywhere lately — literally. I’ve complained before about its incorrect usage, and I’m certainly not alone. In yesterday’s Post, Robert Fulford writes about the misunderstood apostrophe, and he describes vigilante editors who take it upon themselves to make corrections to all the signs with the added apostrophes: Cd’s, Record’s, Dvd’s! The apostrophe… Continue Reading