Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, Have you ever wondered why water bottles are always 16.9 ounces? Well, I sure did. I reached out to Caitlin Olson who publishes the quirky and always fascinating Today You Should Know which you should subscribe to if you don't already. Here is her response: "A 16.9-ounce bottle comes out to 500 ml, which confirms the metric system’s influence. My guess is this size stuck in the U.S. thanks to the...
19 days ago • 4 min read
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, Ever feel like you have no idea what people are talking about? C'mon, I know it's not just me! Fortunately, Merriam-Webster recently added over 5,000 words to its collegiate dictionary! Now you will really understand how terrible a situation it is when you find yourself adulting. You're welcome. Think a friend would appreciate Editorial Notes? Send them this link to sign up: Refer a Friend! (And if you’re...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, I was recently reminded of a classic anecdote used in discussions about precise language in writing. The anecdote may or may not be true, but it certainly makes a point. A student wrote that a woman had tripped down a flight of stairs, lying "prostitute on the floor." The professor wrote in the margin that "you seem to have confused a fallen woman with one who merely slipped." ICYMI: Related/Unrelated...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, The good news is that I met my perfect literary agent. We are completely in sync with our interests and sensibilities, she understands and is excited by my project, and we "get along like gangbusters" on a personal level (as my father would say). The bad news? She can't offer me representation because she is already on submission with another author's manuscript, one which is in competition with mine. (So...
2 months ago • 6 min read
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, I successfully implemented my own self-editing advice this week on a section that's been problematic for a while. I changed the font! No, that's not a joke. And I am newly reminded of what a great tool this simple change can be. I almost exclusively use 12 point Times New Roman, and I ask my clients to do the same when sending manuscripts my way. Whether my preference insistence is because it's a...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, One of my favorite writing and editing avoidance time wasting activities is browsing houses on Zillow. (I used to go to open houses just for fun, but haven't since before Covid. ) I'll just pick a city and see what's for sale in a certain price range. I'm not looking to move — yet — but I enjoy looking at the photos and daydreaming. Honestly, it's instructive about the relative cost of living from location...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, My elderly parents have lately become fans of jigsaw puzzles. It's an old-timey pastime in a way, but if you haven't attempted a puzzle lately (or ever) and you have the space, I highly recommend it as a great way to keep your brain engaged yet relaxed when you're doing the hard work of writing. We've started keeping a satisfying puzzle on one side of the dining table, and when I need to walk away from my...
3 months ago • 3 min read
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, It's a pretty divisive topic in my family, but I absolutely love Good & Plenty. I like black licorice of all kinds, but the chummy pink and white ovals of yumminess are my favorites. I like them when they are hard to chew. I like them when they are super soft. I really like them, Sam I Am! Recently, I saw the movie theater boxes on the store shelf and wondered, why do I never buy these any more? So I bought...
4 months ago • 3 min read
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, A question for you. What do you make of a school teaching students that it's okay to use AI if they #1 disclose that they've done so, and #2 cite it as a source with both in-text citations and an entry on the reference list? Hit reply to give your opinion on this! Extra credit for explaining why you hold the opinion you do. Think a friend would appreciate Editorial Notes? Send them this link to sign up:...
4 months ago • 1 min read