Introduction vs. Foreword—Which Does Your Nonfiction Book Need?

If you’re a new author confused about the spelling of Foreword, you’ve got a lot of company. If you’re confused about its meaning, you’ve got even more. The word is written Foreword, not Forward. An Introduction is different entirely, though many people think it’s the same thing. This article will explain the meaning and correct use of each of these ... Read More

The Cure for Writer’s Block

Do you need a cure for writer’s block? Do you find writing a chore? Do your words come out sounding awkward, while your ideas come out sounding vague or confused? You may be the victim of a bad writing habit that afflicts millions of people: trying to be creative and self-critical at the same time. The problem is this: the ... Read More

Period Inside or Outside the Quotation Marks?

Perhaps you've wondered: should you place the period inside or outside the quotation marks? Believe it or not, it depends on where you live. If you’re an American, the period always goes inside. If you live in Great Britain, the opposite is true. The same can be said for the comma, where quote marks are concerned. Are you American? Tuck ... Read More

Can a Sentence End in a Preposition?

Authors sometimes ask, “Can a sentence end in a preposition?” They were under the impression it couldn’t, yet here I am, their book editor, changing some of their sentences so the preposition appears at the end. What gives? What gives, is common sense. What wins, is natural language. Decades ago, grammarians insisted that no sentence could end with a preposition, ... Read More

Narrative Writing: Definition and Examples

In case you’re wondering what is meant by “narrative writing,” the definition is pretty simple: It’s any kind of writing that tells a story. That’s because “narrative” means story. But be a little careful: narrative writing is not the same as fiction writing! Fiction writing is just one kind of narrative writing. Storytelling certainly occurs in fiction—it is the very ... Read More