Edit yourself like a pro. I'm a writer, editor, and book coach who has worked with more than 4,000 students, entrepreneurs, and corporate/institutional clients over the last 30+ years. You'll hear from me in your Inbox every other Wednesday at 2pm EST :) Reader Testimonials: "You're one of the cheeriest, funniest, most helpful writer-oriented people I know! Thanks for being out there!" "Love your newsletter, especially your light-handedness! Thanks :-D" "I enjoy your insights and style. Thank you for providing the newsletter!" "I am LOVING your newsletter and am very happy I discovered it 😊" "You're awesome—keep up the good work!" "Can't tell you how much I enjoy reading your newsletter. You uncomplicate things authors are puzzled about." "I so enjoy your writing and sense of humor. You make editing sound like fun!!" "I love everything about Editorial Notes. Keep up the great content!"
Heavens to Betsy, Two Rules, and Write Like You Talk!
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Hiya Reader, I have a confession. I grind my teeth. I don't just grind them — I mash and crush with gusto! I've worn an industrial strength bespoke night guard since 2003 so my TMJ does not result in, over time, my being only able to gum my food. Recently, however, I reached a new Oh heavens to Betsy, as my parents would say.* Think a friend would appreciate Editorial Notes?Send them this link to sign up:
(And if you’re the appreciative friend, you can subscribe at the same link.) Example of the WeekSometimes this is a good example—or a great one. Sometimes this is a bad example—or just a funny blooper. Sometimes a combination. You never know. Rrminds me of this gem from The Princess Bride regarding the word "inconceivable." Actionable Tip of the WeekA trick to add to your self-editing toolbox right now! Prepare to be rocked like a hurricane! Literally hundreds of thousands of students failed this quick and easy grammar quiz and... [continue reading the article] Reader Question of the WeekScott wrote: What does it mean to write like you talk? Scott! I used to give this suggestion to students when I taught ENG 101 a thousand (give or take) years ago. I agree that it isn't helpful advice by itself. So, let's start with why someone feels compelled to give this feedback in the first place... [continue reading] Want to Submit a Reader Question to Helene?Give in to the urge.
Link of the WeekWhile "heavens to Betsy" is of unknown origin* this lovely little corner of the Internet, The Grand Encyclopedia of Eponymous Laws, shows a whole bunch of things named after people, like Ruckert's Law which states that “There is nothing so small that it can’t be blown out of proportion.” Enjoy! I ❤️ Hearing from You!Comments? Just reply to this email or click this link. I respond to every email—that's a promise. Thanks for reading!~Helene, your writing sherpa |
Editorial Notes
Edit yourself like a pro. I'm a writer, editor, and book coach who has worked with more than 4,000 students, entrepreneurs, and corporate/institutional clients over the last 30+ years. You'll hear from me in your Inbox every other Wednesday at 2pm EST :) Reader Testimonials: "You're one of the cheeriest, funniest, most helpful writer-oriented people I know! Thanks for being out there!" "Love your newsletter, especially your light-handedness! Thanks :-D" "I enjoy your insights and style. Thank you for providing the newsletter!" "I am LOVING your newsletter and am very happy I discovered it 😊" "You're awesome—keep up the good work!" "Can't tell you how much I enjoy reading your newsletter. You uncomplicate things authors are puzzled about." "I so enjoy your writing and sense of humor. You make editing sound like fun!!" "I love everything about Editorial Notes. Keep up the great content!"
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, Lately I've been thinking about poet Mary Ruefle's essay "On Beginnings," specifically the idea that if every word we ever speak were to be written down — from our first babblings to our last utterance — we would have a lifelong sentence. (Ralph Angel reportedly responded with "that's a lot of semi-colons"!) I'm a thinker way more than I am a talker, but I'd sure like to read my own lifelong sentence. What...
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, Before my home is tented for termites, I get to move everything I own into storage. Everything means everything: the art on the wall, the mugs in the cabinet, the books (the books!!!!!!!) on the shelves (and the shelves, natch). Then, I get to move everything I own out of storage and back into my home. 🥳 Anyone wanna recreate the 300-strong human chain formed in Chelsea, Michigan, to assist Serendipity...
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, Like many of you, I have so many passwords to keep track of, almost all of which are force-changed regularly. This is a good thing for the safety and security of my accounts, I suppose. But is it a good thing for my brain? Better for my brain is the Password Game, forwarded to me by Michael. It's a gem: true to life, difficult, and funny to boot. Please, if you play and win, email me your password (wink...