Monthly Archives: April 2017

Writer’s Resource – Purdue OWL

Online Writing Lab

By Annette Rey

One of my reasons for writing this blog is to help writers understand that learning correct language usage should never stop. If we love to write, we should love the vehicle that takes our readers to places we want to transport them.

I especially sympathize with aspiring writers whose first language is not English. They need additional help navigating the complexities of the language.

The following site offers free access to instruction that will improve all of our efforts to polish our writing projects.

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Writers’ Memory Quiz #1

Relationship Words

By Annette Rey

Put on your writing caps. This quiz will exercise your ability to recall words, to substitute more descriptive words for general terms when creating your work. Good writers use specific words. Good writers use words like Corvette instead of car or auto – even battered Corvette – but we are not dealing with adjectives in this quiz.

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Embarrassing Errors #5

Yet Another

By Annette Rey

The mother site of this error disturbs me more than the error itself. It is a major broadcasting television channel I have trusted for integrity. I believe the producers, directors, editors, and other staff, produce high quality material.

So, if they predominantly please, why is targeting any error important? Why do I complain and why do these discoveries bother me?

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Learn to Cut Words Before You Write Them

Editing Exercises

By Annette Rey

Participating in writing exercises will help break writer’s block as well as improve your writing. Simple, short challenges work just as well. You wouldn’t waste energy exercising your body and not having a body part target in mind. Nor should you engage in writing exercises without a goal in mind for writing improvement.

The next exercise will help you target editing even before the editing stage.

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Three Points to Write Focused Blog Posts

Avoid Wandering Distractions

By Annette Rey

So many blog posts have so much to say. And that can be a problem. The writer has a good point he wants to make, he has the information behind him to add to the post, and he uses the right words and punctuation to convey his thoughts.

So what’s wrong with the piece? Let’s take a look.

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A Writer’s Last Words

Your Ending Sentence

By Annette Rey

Recently, I misinterpreted a writer’s call on Facebook. Someone asked for ending sentences. I thought it was an exercise to think creatively. It turned out to be a call for an actual ending a writer had used in his work.

This mistake gave me the idea to create a writer’s exercise that makes us think in reverse. Start at the end of your work, create that last line, and see how that line affects the way you construct the last chapter, or the ending of your short story, or article. Your physical brain needs exercise and asking it to respond in new ways will challenge a boring routine. These exercises are designed to shake you and wake you.

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Fewer or Less?

Easy Hint to Know the Difference

By Annette Rey

Your writing is flowing. You’re sliding along like an oiled zipper. Then, darn, you hit a snag. A sentence you are constructing is posing a problem. You’re not sure which word to use. In this case, the words to choose from are fewer or less. Some writers move on and keep writing, planning to correct later. Some writers, like me, stop forward momentum and waffle with a word choice.

All writers can avoid either scenario by learning in advance which of these words to use. It’s a matter of memory and I have a hint for you.

Keep your writing flowing. Read on.

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Write a Story in 35 Words

35-Word Challenge 

By Annette Rey

This is a real challenge that beats even flash fiction word limits. Give this a try and remember to make it complete by including answers to the questions: who, what, when, where, and why.

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Embarrassing Errors #4

Written Word Error

By Annette Rey

The purpose of this category on my blog is not to castigate the perpetrator of these errors, but to use the errors as vehicles of education for my readers.

The last Embarrassing Error I reported was on March 19, 2017. So far, I have detailed errors in video productions. I discovered this one in the written word.

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A Fifteen-Minute Memoir

If Stuck, Start Here

By Annette Rey

This exercise can go anywhere each individual writer can take it. Make an effort to be accurate and include high points (and low points) you’d like a reader to know.

The result can be a start to a longer memoir piece.

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