B.K. Picard

Cool word: titter

"To laugh in a restrained, self-conscious, or affected way, as from nervousness or in ill-suppressed amusement."

When I fell off my bike, my girlfriend tittered.

#BookSky

New British word I learned: barmy

It means "crazy, foolish, eccentric."

I removed my aluminum foil hat lest he think me barmy.

#BookSky

Cool word: stentorian.

It's an adjective that means "very loud or powerful in sound."

The announcer has a stentorian voice.

I learned the word "gormless" today thanks to this brilliant writer @whoneedsablog.bsky.social

It's a British term that means "lacking in vitality or intelligence; stupid, dull, or clumsy."

Now this American knows, and knowing is half the battle. Just ask G.I. Joe.

Writing tip: Replace 'was' with more descriptive words.

Weak: Next to the wall there was a chest.

Stronger: Next to the wall sat a chest.

Spelling tip: "desert" (a dry, sandy place) vs. "dessert" (something delicious).

How can you remember? You always want more delicious dessert, so dessert has an extra 's'.

And deserts lack water, so it's lacking the extra 'S'.

Grammar tip: Use a comma before 'and' when adding a complete sentence.

Ex: She pummeled the snot out of me, and she beat up my brother.

Don't use a comma when adding an incomplete sentence.

Ex: She pummeled the snot out of me and beat up my brother.

Both examples are grammatically correct.

Writing tip: Replace 'was' with more descriptive words.

Weak:
There was an armoire in the corner.

Stronger:
An armoire stood in the corner.

Spelling tip: "lose" (not winning) vs "loose" (opposite of tight).

How do you remember? Lose (get rid of) the extra 'o' when spelling lose (not winning).

Loser = not a winner
Looser = more loose (not tight)

Grammar tip: Use a comma before 'but' when you're joining a complete sentence.

Example: That hot girl looked at me, but she didn't smile.

Don't use a comma before 'but' when you're joining an incomplete sentence.

Example: That hot girl looked at me but didn't smile.

Both examples are correct.

Writing tip: Show. Don't tell.

Telling: Alyssa was nervous.

Showing: Sweat trickled down Alyssa's brow, her hands clammy.