Pat Iyer’s Blog
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Make the Comma Your Friend
A comma may be a little squiggle, but it does a lot for your writing. It adds meaning, clarity, elegance, and, in some cases, beauty to your writing. Its absence can bore or confuse the reader. Comma usage is loaded with rules, and it’s a good idea to study them....
A “She” is not a “They”
Maybe. Are you confusing singular and plural forms in the same sentence? And is this really wrong? Grammar rarely enters the world of culture and politics. Pronouns are a notable exception to this generality. Prior to the 1970s, the default pronoun was “he.” “If a...
Why shorter is better when it comes to books
When we read something, we don’t pay much attention to subjects like long sentences, paragraphs, and chapters—until they interfere with our reading. That’s the point at which the writer is in danger of losing his or her audience. You don’t want that point to come....
What is a ghostwriter?
To understand what a ghostwriter does, it helps to understand what she does not do. Ghostwriters aren’t proofreaders, copyeditors, or developmental editors, although some ghostwriters perform all of these services as well. A proofreader goes through a manuscript for...
Sentence Fragments – Are They Always Wrong?
Also known as incomplete sentences, fragments are generally frowned on in the English language. Exceptions exist, and I’ll get to them later. Defining sentence fragments First, let’s define a sentence fragment. It’s a sentence...
Is Independent Publishing for You?
When you tell people you know that you’re writing a book, you’re likely to get a lot of unasked-for opinions. They may ask you if you plan on independent publishing or approaching a traditional publisher. Some will offer their views about traditional publishing. “It’s...
How A Business Blog Can Help Your Business to Grow
A business blog is your opportunity to let potential clients know who you are and how you can help them. The most immediate effect of a business blog is to provide a method of sharing free content that demonstrates your expertise. It shares information to establish...
Common Writing Errors: Don’t Make These Mistakes
In an age of texting and emoticons, it is easy to make writing mistakes. When communication can be as brief as “?,” grammar may seem like something that only old and uptight people find necessary. (Like me.) At some point this may become true, but we’re not there yet....
Overcoming Objections: Defeating Your Top Book-Writing Hurdle
You know you need to do it. You’ve had it on your to-do list for years. This is the year you must get your book in print. If only you could cover come your book-writing hurdle. And yet…nothing. It’s not that you don’t recognize the benefits, or that you don’t want to...
Do You Think Independent Publishing Is Too Expensive?
Do you think independent publishing is too expensive? Think again. You are driven to write a book. I understand. I’ve written 46 of them and the last 25 or so I have independently published (an upgraded term for self-publishing). Is it expensive to independently...
Recent Posts
Writer’s Block and Childhood Red Ink
Do you remember the first time you shared something you wrote? Maybe it was an elementary school assignment. Perhaps it …Read More »
Five-Minute Formula for Writing a Book
If you’re a busy professional—an LNC, physician, attorney, or speaker—you’ve likely considered writing a book. Maybe you’ve even started one. …Read More »
Are You a Highly Skilled Professional Struggling to Start Your Book?
Are you a highly skilled professional struggling to start your book? Attorneys, physicians, legal nurse consultants, and public speakers often operate …Read More »
No time to write
Did you know “no time to write” is a myth when it comes to writing your book—and you can still …Read More »
Fear of Criticism—The Silent Roadblock for Aspiring Authors
You’ve likely built a career that demands confidence—testifying in depositions, diagnosing patients, analyzing legal records, or commanding attention from an …Read More »