The root of this “like versus as” controversy is that traditionally like is a preposition and as is a conjunction. Nevertheless, people have been using like as if it were a conjunction (as I did) for at least 100 years, and grammarians have been raging against that use for just as long. In fact, the Harper Dictionary of Contemporary Usage states that “probably no single question […]
By Brian Klems Q: In the battle of lay vs. lie, when do you use each and can you provide examples? —Annemarie V. Don’t forget about “lain,” my friend! All these verbs have two things in common: They begin with the letter “L” and confuse the bejeezus out of many people. But here’s a simple breakdown
Lay vs. Lie (vs. Laid) Read More »
by Anne Marble Description is something that gets in the way of many authors. Why? Well, because it’s so darn hard to write. And no wonder. If you’re not careful, descriptive sequences can become static, even dull. Writing action and dialogue is so much more fun. On top of that, description incorporates so many elements. It
The Art of Description: Eight Tips to Help You Bring Your Settings to Life Read More »
Breaking Bad is a crime drama set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, about a high school chemistry teacher, Walter White, who’s diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He and his wife, Skyler, have a second child on the way, and their teenage son, Walter, Jr., suffers from cerebral palsy. In order to secure his family’s future, White begins
5 Things Breaking Bad Can Teach Us About Writing Read More »