Kathryn A. Frazier
COPYEDITOR ~ WRITER ~ MERRYMAKER
Category: Writing
The N-word: Is it ever OK to say? Plus NaNoWriMo editing update
Hola, Writer Peeps! What do you think? Can I say the N-word and other “bad” words in a historical context? Or are some words just not acceptable ever? As an example of non-acceptance, my husband Frazierhead and I went to a family’s home for…
This year, I’m all about Christmas!
Our lives have settled back into a routine and we’re ready to open up and accept the joy of the Christmas season again. This year, we’re celebrating along with the angels of God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14)
Half Off Copyedits for NaNoWriMo Winners
As a little bonus incentive, I’m offering a limited number of NaNoWriMo 2018 winners a discount on copyediting your new novel. I’ll give you time to flesh it out and clean it up first so the discount will be applied in 2019.
My week in review: Isolated with infectious disease
Have you ever been referred to an infectious disease specialist? I just got home from the hospital where I’ve been fighting a gnarly antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection in my kidneys.
Mom & Dad’s Photos
My task is scanning and organizing their photos.
Since my parents’ deaths, we’re sifting through their belongings, deciding what to keep, what to donate, and what to sell. It feels wrong, as if they’ll come home any minute and catch us robbing them. But we know for sure that we all want copies of the family photos.
Mom and Dad kept all their photos loosely tossed in large cardboard boxes, along with…
Self-driving Cars and Avocado Toast: Welcome to AP Stylebook 2017
These are the days that we grammar freaks live for!* The Associated Press Stylebook 2017 is shaking things up with 200 changes, some of them major changes. The internet (lowercase i) is buzzing with venom as traditional grammarists duke it out with progressive grammarists, using well-written and carefully punctuated insults, while trolls stoke the fire with deliberate misspellings. It’s a maaaaaad house!
Why did it take nine years to get serious about my own writing?
My son, always looking for ways to earn a few extra dollars to fund his science projects, emerged from his (laboratory) bedroom as I emerged from my Writing Zone. We met at the (writing fuel) coffee pot, and he began his proposal.
“I see you’re making money,” he started.
“I’m not making money,” I answered.
A sound caught in his throat, as if this unexpected answer…
Avoiding Bias when Writing Descriptors
One of the biggest changes to American English in recent years is an emphasis on persons first. That is, we no longer define human beings by their descriptors. I’m not talking about Political Correctness. I’m talking about grammar.
This post is for procrastinating writers.
Manahoana, Writer Peeps! It’s been a week since I officially set aside copy writing and copy editing to focus on writing the words of my heart. My writing time seems more precious as my eyes grow out-of-focus and dimmer each day. My goal is to write…
When and When Not to Write On Spec
Kon’nichiwa, Writer Peeps! On spec. As a writer, you’ll hear that a lot. It’s short for “on speculation,” and it means that you write an article, a short story, a screenplay, book, whatever, with no contract and no promise of publication. You send…
