The Singular They: A Prescriptivist’s Dream

by Karin Cather | Oct 20, 2020 | Editing, Style and Style Guides, Writing

When someone goes to the store, they should wear a mask so they don’t spread COVID-19. They? Yes, they. Because it’s the correct singular pronoun to use when you don’t know the gender of the person you’re talking about or when you could be...

Preventing Conflict: The Ins and Outs of an Editing Contract

by Karin Cather | Aug 23, 2020 | business of editing, Client Relations, Freelancing

Disclaimer First of all, nothing I’m about to tell you is legal advice. You should always consult an attorney because rules vary by jurisdiction. I’m speaking here as an editor about my own practice and about the kinds of pitfalls that arise when there isn’t a service...

How to Write a Fight Scene—Part 2: Hand-to-Hand Combat

by Karin Cather | Aug 13, 2020 | Writing

Your heroine pulled a screaming woman out of a serial killer’s panel van. She looked him full in the face before he decided to cut his losses and drive away, doors flapping behind. Our heroine has been interviewed by the homicide detective, who knows that this case is...

How to Write a Fight Scene – Part 1: Gunfights and Knife Fights

by Karin Cather | May 16, 2019 | Writing

Today we’re going to talk about how to write a fight scene, specifically gunfight and knife-fight scenes. Written well, fight scenes grip the reader; contribute to atmosphere and mood; and show the reader the strength and conscience of the protagonist, victim, or...

How to Pick an Editor and Avoid Bad Reviews

by Karin Cather | Apr 13, 2019 | Editing

You have worked hard on your manuscript and you have made more revisions than you can count. You may have had friends and family read it. You may even be a talented writer who has just written what will be a best seller. Given all of that, it’s hard for you to...