One of the most frequent errors that I find when proofreading or checking transcriptions is the misuse of homonyms, or strictly speaking homophones. Homonyms are actually words with different meanings that are spelt and pronounced identically, so in fact they won’t be visible as errors in writing or transcription. Homophones are words that sound the same but are spelt differently, and that’s what keeps catching people out.

Rather than trying to give definitions I have given examples of a number of commonly muddled homophones, used appropriately in sentences, so that differences will hopefully become clear. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list by any means, and neither does it provide definitions of the homonyms/homophones. These are just a few examples that might allay confusion and hopefully won’t increase it! The homonyms are shown in [square brackets].

continue reading »

A beginning writer can use novel writing software as a guide to his first novel. An experienced writer can use novel writing software to keep track of his characters, places, and objects. Research can be done on the Internet as the novel comes forth and the results can be stored using the software.

The most powerful feature of such software is the chapter guides. A genre is chosen (action, western, detective, romance, history, etc.). Once that is accomplished the chapter guides will show you what needs to be written in each chapter.

continue reading »

A great day on the slopes can mean several different things. Not everyone shares the same expertise when it comes to sliding down a frozen mountain on waxed slices of fiberglass. Hopefully this quick guide to skiing will help you get on your way. Use the following links to skip down to the section that most interests you.

1. Taking lessons

continue reading »

Mistake #…

1.) Rushing out to buy the top manufacturers model of skate.

Manufacturers make several models of skates to accommodate different levels of skating and the different physical sizes of skaters, as well as to cover several price points. So the ‘Top Model’ (read most expensice) may not be the best choice of skate to buy, for you. The higher the model of skate the more expensive it is, and, the stiffer it is. If you’re not physically heavy enough to deal with the stiffness of the skate it won’t matter how much money you pay, your skating performance will suffer. Skates that are too stiff for a skater means no knee bend. Very often it also means long-term discomfort. Be honest with yourself when it comes to your skating ability and physical size. Purchasing a model of skate that matches those two criterions, can dramatically increase your skating performance, and save you money.

2.) Fitting hockey skates like shoes.

continue reading »

We all know what a bad neighborhood is - it’s the one where people stumble around 24/7 holding bottles with brown paper bags wrapped around them. Wrapped around the bottles, not the people. Now imagine yourself as an insurance salesman. You’re assigned that neighborhood as your territory. Specifically, you’re told to sell policies to those guys with the brown paper bags. Those are your Prospects.

Let’s face it. After a few attempts you’d probably get your own bottle of ‘Juice’, wrap a bag around it, and spend the rest of the day singing with your new friends. There’s no point trying to sell in that place to those people. But that’s exactly what’s happening with your search ads on the Content networks.

continue reading »

Firstly, let’s define a small business plan. A small business plan is a summary of how a business owner, manager, or entrepreneur intends to organize an entrepreneurial endeavor and implement activities necessary and sufficient for the business to succeed. It is a written explanation of its business model.

Business plans are used internally by management and are also used to convince outsiders such as banks or venture capitalists to invest money into a small business.

continue reading »

A gift is something that you can hold in your hand and say, “Look, he was thinking of me,” or “She remembered me.” You must be thinking of someone to give a gift. The gift itself is a symbol of that thought. It doesn’t matter if it costs money.

Gifts need not to expensive, nor must they be given weekly. But for some individuals, their worth has nothing to do with monetary value and everything to do with love.

continue reading »

Is your writing smooth or bumpy? If it’s bumpy, readers are apt to bail out before they reach the end.

Sentence structure has a tremendous effect on where writing falls on the bumpy-to-smooth continuum, and sound sentence structure depends on sound word order. Here are three tips for keeping words under control and writing smooth sentences.

continue reading »