Apostrophes are like weeds. Sometimes they crop up in the most unexpected places. How do you know when and where to use an apostrophe? Let’s set the record straight.First rule — possessionUse an apostrophe + S to show possession for singular nouns.The dog’s leashThe mailman’s bagThe book’s cover
Apostrophes: How & When to Use Them
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How to Use Deus ex machina Like Stephen King
You know those stories where the ending comes out of nowhere and blind sides you with another-worldly force that saves the main character from certain death and annihilation? They’re frustrating right? Why have the main character suffer through countless trials and tribulations only to have a divine presence swoop in and save him or her?
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The Essential Reading List: Fantasy
In 2018, we’re reviewing some of the best genre books ever written. If you haven’t been keeping up with us, here’s what you’ve missed so far:The Best Ever Mystery NovelsThe Best Dystopian Novels of All TimeThe Best Sci-Fi Books of All TimeThe Best Historical Fiction Books of All TimeThe Essential Reading List: HorrorThe Essential Reading List: Thriller(DID WE PUBLISH THIS ONE YET?)
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Voices: Channeling Your Inner Multiple Personalities
Think of the different voices you use in daily life. You have a certain voice you use with the boss, another one with your partner, and a completely separate one you save for your mother. If you’re a parent, you have several voices you use with your children. There's the stern, foreboding voice that shows your dissatisfaction or the loving, acknowledging voice that shows your approval. Then there is the voice you don’t even know is inside you when something scary happens to one of your children.
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What I Learned About Writing From My Film School Friends
The filmmaking process is long and arduous. Yet each step helps shape and refine the film into a finished product. Writers can learn from this process.
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Is it “Mambo No. 5” or “Mambo No. Five”?
On the surface, writing with numbers is a simple rule: write out numbers between zero and nine. However — as it is with all grammar — as you dig, the layers get complicated.
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Writing App Reviews: Fictionary
Do you read tons of books, articles, and treatises on the craft of writing? Most writers devour these texts to improve their craft. But what happens when you’ve finished your manuscript? How do you distill all that information you absorbed from reading about craft into a plan to improve your WIP?
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Why You Should Be Using ProWritingAid’s Google Chrome Extension
How much writing do you do around the internet, besides your manuscript or content for clients? Think about all the emails you send, or maybe you’re prolific on social media. Or maybe you run several blogs on WordPress. A more pressing question is: How do you check your online writing?
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We're Crowdsourcing a Canadian Dictionary, Eh?
If I had a loonie for every time a Canadian writer asked for this, I would have enough for a dozen double-doubles AND a box of timbits.
We think we have sorted out most of the Canadian spellings (color vs colour, etc.), but we don't want to stop there. We want the Canadian dictionary to include Canadian words and expressions. I've started a list below, but I need your help. Let's crowdsource this Canadian-style.
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4 Important Ways to Get Ready for NaNoWriMo
Are you ready for NaNoWriMo?
It’s the question most asked this time of year, right before National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) that takes over the month of November every year.
If this is your first time doing NaNoWriMo, don’t stress out too much about it. It’s a huge learning process where you’ll discover what’s most important for you to be able to produce content on a continual basis to move forward towards your end goal of 50,000 words in 30 days.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned over the years is that it’s not so much about the end result. What you have at the end of 30 days will in no shape or form be a novel ready to print. Depending on your genre, novels can be 80,000 words and up. Just understand: you won’t be finished with it on November 30th.
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Why a Good Cover Sells More Books ; Key Elements of a Selling Book Cover
Your book cover is the prime marketing tool for your book. Learn the basic elements and how to use them to your advantage to grab reader interest in your book.
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How to Write an A+ College Essay
Time in college is an awesome period of learning, which involves communicating ideas in writing. After all, how well you write is a valid indicator of intellectual achievement. However, many students find writing pretty daunting.
The thing is, like any other skills, writing is learnable with a lot of practice, patience, and focus. "You're born as a writer" is merely a myth, which can be proven.
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When Deus Ex Machina Works (And When it Doesn't)
Is deus ex machina "Persona Non Grata" in fiction? Here's the case for when it works and when it doesn't.
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The Best Fantasy Novels of All Time
In 2018, we’re reviewing some of the best genre books ever written. If you haven’t been keeping up with us, here’s what you’ve missed so far:The Best Mystery Novels of All TimeThe Best Dystopian Novels of All TimeThe Best Sci-Fi Books of All TimeThe Best Historical Fiction Books of All TimeThe Best Horror Novels of All TimeThe Best Thriller Novels of All Time(DID WE PUBLISH THIS ONE YET?)
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Article 19
ProWritingAid and Fictionary - Two powerful editing tools that work beautifully together for just $99 (a $250 value).Fictionary makes developmental editing a breeze.ProWritingAid ensures your writing is clear and polished.
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How to Use Deus Ex Machina Like Stephen King
Is deus ex machina "Persona Non Grata" in fiction? Here's the case for when it works and when it doesn't.
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Why a Good Cover Sells More Books
Your book cover is the prime marketing tool for your book. Learn the basic elements and how to use them to your advantage to grab reader interest in your book.
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We're Crowdsourcing a Canadian Dictionary, Eh?
If I had a loonie for every time a Canadian writer asked for this, I would have enough for a dozen double-doubles AND a box of timbits.
We think we have sorted out most of the Canadian spellings (color vs colour, etc.), but we don't want to stop there. We want the Canadian dictionary to include Canadian words and expressions. I've started a list below, but I need your help. Let's crowdsource this Canadian-style.
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3 Surprising Grammatical Contradictions
In the English language, rules are made to be broken. Here's a post for all the grammatical lawbreakers out there.
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ProWritingAid and Fictionary, the editing bundle you do not want to miss!
ProWritingAid and Fictionary - Two powerful editing tools that work beautifully together for just $99 (a $250 value).Fictionary makes developmental editing a breeze.ProWritingAid ensures your writing is clear and polished.
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