Category Archives: editing

Deamed (or) Deemed (or) Damned (or) Dammed? To Curse or Not to Curse…

Posted on March 4, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Periodically in a story set in the Regency era, the occasion arises where a curse word would be appropriate for a character. However, how to use that word and who might utter it remains a decision most authors of the … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, Georgian England, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, Regency era, word origins, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Author’s “Voice” ~ What is It?

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Regina Jeffers

Writers often hear another author warn them about losing their “voice.” But what exactly is “voice”? In reality, there are so many theories on this question that I could be here for years debating them all. I am of the … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, literature, publishing, reading, word origins, word play, writing | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Falling into Easy Writing Traps: Do You Know These Rules?

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Regina Jeffers

 (image via 4 Common Academic Writing Mistakes and How to Fix Them from http://www.noodle.com) Falling Into Easy Writing Traps… 1.  The word “hold” is confusing to some. Essentially a person can hold a baby, a spoon, a smart phone, etc., … Continue reading →

Posted in books, editing, Industry News/Publishing, language choices, manuscript evaluation, publishing, vocabulary, word play, writing | 8 Comments

The Children of the Empire Series Continues, Guest Post from Caroline Warfield + a Giveaway

Posted on April 27, 2017 by Regina Jeffers

Yesterday, Caroline Warfield released her latest book, The Reluctant Wife, book 2 in her Children of the Empire series. Today we are part of the Launch! Please welcome my friend, Caroline Warfield.  First, I must say, that I am over the … Continue reading →

Posted in book excerpts, book release, books, British history, editing, excerpt, giveaway, historical fiction, history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Colorful, Colored, and Colorless Words: Fixing Writing Errors

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Do you recall the dreaded 500-words’ essay often assigned by English teachers? Do you also recall the sinking feeling of coming up with 500 words on a subject for which you held no opinion? Do you also recall writing something … Continue reading →

Posted in eBooks, editing, language choices, publishing, word choices, word play, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Do You Know the Origin of These Words and Phrases?

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Regina Jeffers

Do You Know The Origin of These Words and Phrases? I have been editing again, as well as judging a few writing contests. The process had me searching out some of the least common words and phrases I encountered. Check … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, etymology, language choices, vocabulary, word choices, word origins, word play, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Should Writers Make These Distinctions?

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

There are many words in the English language which are routinely interchanged. Whether one accepts these “switches” depends upon whether the person is a semanticist or a grammarian. Semanticists normally are concerned with the word’s meaning, while the grammarian deals … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, language choices, word play, writing | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Editing 101: Words Frequently Confused (Part 2)

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Most writers enjoy games that test their knowledge of word skills. Yet, knowing which word or phrase to choose can be a challenge even for those of us who consider ourselves “word” worshippers. Are you aware of the distinctions listed … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, language choices, word play, writing | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

From Where Does That Phrase Come?

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

Recently, I was checking the source of several key phrases within my current WIP (Work in Progress), a cozy mystery, checking to discover whether the word/phrase would have been used in Regency England. Below, are some of those I researched. … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, language choices, word play, writing | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Editing 101: Homophones and Other Words Often Confused

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Regina Jeffers

While editing, we must take comfort in the fact none of us can know everything about language choices. I know the frustration. There is nothing worse than to reread a passage six months after its publication and to spot an … Continue reading →

Posted in editing, language choices, Uncategorized, word play | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments