21Jan 2020 by Colleen Casey

Can Good Writing Be Taught?

Beginner, Creator-ship
Good writers communicate their ideas in a way that others can understand. But were they born with some innate ability to use words well, or can anyone learn how to be a good writer? I’ve seen two main beliefs about writing that I want to debunk.  The first belief is that writing isn't highly skilled. As a professional writer, I’ve experienced my work being discounted because when it’s done right, it seems effortless. If you speak and write every day, even if you’re only writing emails, how hard could it be to write a quick blog post?  It turns out that using a language doesn't always translate to writing ability. The second belief is that writing is either something you’re naturally good at or you’re hopeless. You may be romanticizing…
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07Jan 2020 by Colleen Casey

Quick Writing Tip: Less or Fewer?

Beginner, Quick Writing Tips, Writing Skills
Wondering when to use less or fewer? Use “fewer” when the noun is countable and “less” when it isn’t. Read on for some examples. This common question pops up from time to time, particularly while looking for the express checkout line at the grocery store: Is it 10 items or less, or 10 items or fewer? This quick writing tip truly is quick, because using less or fewer in a sentence is incredibly straightforward. Let’s get to it!  Use “Fewer” for What You Can Count Use “fewer” when the noun it’s referring to is countable.  Here are some examples: >> I need no fewer than 10 people to help me move these boxes. >> This bag has fewer chips than usual. >> If fewer people left their snack wrappers behind,…
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