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23.01.2022 Writers need to know:

11.01.2022 Some inspiration and guidance for writers.

10.01.2022 Writing or not, tie a knot and hold on.

09.01.2022 Does your editor work to the Australian 'Standard for Editing Practice'? http://www.iped-editors.org/About_ed/Editing_standards.aspx

09.01.2022 What writers need to know.

03.01.2022 Excellent advice from a highly experienced editor and publisher.

01.01.2022 Those of you who have worked with me will know how much I advocate for Plain English.

01.01.2022 Writing traps that diminish your professional credibility As a technical or nonfiction writer, your credibility is paramount. Your readers’ perceptions of your professionalism are influenced by the quality of your writing. With this understanding comes the appreciation of the importance of ensuring your writing is appropriate to your readers, accurate, clear, and as easy as possible to read. Please bear in mind that this article is about writing traps, not the content.... Not surprisingly, the number one trap to avoid is plagiarism. 1) Plagiarism, the appropriation or imitation of another's ideas and manner of expressing them, to be passed off as one's own, is never acceptable. It's just not worth doing, and has consequences. 2) Copyright infringement will tarnish your professional credibility and authority. Copyright, the exclusive right, granted by law for a certain term of years, to make and dispose of copies of, and otherwise to control, a literary, musical, dramatic or artistic work, protects creators from unauthorised copying of all or a substantial part of their work. Copyright laws differ between nations, so make sure you understand what the law in your country allows you to do. If you need to have permission from the author, do it don’t just hope you'll get away with it. 3) Failure to acknowledge the sources of related material you've used will, at the very least, lessen the respect of your colleagues. And remember to check that your citations are correct, and written correctly right down to the use of commas and full stops. Always refer to your style guide if you need to refresh your memory. 4) Using generalisations can lead to readers questioning your authority. Phrases like 'everyone knows', 'we all know', 'research suggests' are best avoided as they can cause readers to wonder if you really do know what you're saying. Having written your report, it's time to check that you've not fallen into any of these traps. Reread, and, if necessary Rewrite. Add missing citations. Alter the layout. Ask a colleague to review it. Ask someone who's not been involved with the project if they have any difficulties reading and understanding your report. Check spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Review consistency. Hiring an editor will give it that final polish. Then be confident that your professionalism and credibility have not been lessened by your writing. Definitions of 'plagiarism' and 'copyright' from The Macquarie Concise Dictionary, third edition, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd, Sydney, 1998.