Tag Archives: writing

Cool Google Docs “Insert Symbol” Feature

Posted on January 6, 2018 by

I was just working on something in Google Docs and needed to insert a letter “a” with a circumflex. I clicked on “insert symbol” and searched for “a,” but none of the options were what I needed. Then I noticed … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Grammar, punctuation, usage, mechanics, Learning, Technology, Writing, blogging | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Colons: how and when to use them

Posted on June 5, 2013 by

A couple days ago I posted on semicolons, with a note that I’d decided to split my original post, covering both semicolons and colons, into two parts once I realized that the semicolon discussion was getting out of control.  Okay, … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, punctuation, usage, mechanics, Writing, blogging | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Should I put a comma before the word “too”?

Posted on June 4, 2013 by

Someone just asked this question, and the answer is “yes.”  Most of the time, at least.  When to use a comma —When you use “too” in the adverb sense of saying “also,” “likewise,” or “as well,” the word should always be set off … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, punctuation, usage, mechanics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Semicolons: how and when to use them

Posted on May 31, 2013 by

The most popular post I’ve written so far has been the one titled “What’s the difference between grammar, punctuation, and mechanics?”  It gets at least one view per day, and most days it tops my list of most-viewed posts. Because … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, punctuation, usage, mechanics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

“Hawks Do Not Share”: Re-reconsidering Zelda Fitzgerald

Posted on April 3, 2013 by

I’m not sure why, but a slew of books is being published right now about Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of F. Scott.  Here is an article/ book review from the March 22, 2013, Wall Street Journal that discusses several of the new (fictional) … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and reading, History, Movies and film, Writing, blogging | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I’m back (hopefully . . .)

Posted on March 12, 2013 by

Here’s what happens sometimes when I’m not even trying. I have been away from blogging for over a month because my offline responsibilities have claimed the lion’s share of my attention.  Family, job, that sort of thing. Part of the problem, … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Writing, blogging | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

If you build it, they will come: the importance of infrastructure for creativity and innovation

Posted on October 30, 2012 by

Here’s a little factoid I’d forgotten about until my husband and I were discussing the recent Presidential debates between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney: The famous series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas were not held during the … Continue reading →

Posted in WPLongform (posts of 1000 words or longer), Writing, blogging | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What’s the difference between grammar, punctuation, and mechanics?

Posted on October 18, 2012 by

The title of today’s post is actually one of my blog’s categories, shown at the lower right-hand side of the screen.  Someone was wondering about the difference, so I thought I’d explain.  What follows here is not dictionary-type definitions, but rather my own … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, punctuation, usage, mechanics, WPLongform (posts of 1000 words or longer), Writing, blogging | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 75 Comments

Creativity, “Mr. Patent,” Keith Richards, and me

Posted on July 11, 2012 by

Following up on yesterday’s post on “Creativity and the importance of routine,” here is a link to a Fast Company article I recall reading ten years ago.  Titled “Mr. Patent,” it profiles Marvin Johnson, a research fellow at Phillips Petroleum … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment