Word Watch

Welcome to a word usage book with attitude. (Some say humor, too, but nearly everyone agrees on attitude.)


WORD WATCH is a compilation of columns written over several years for Update, the newsletter of the Washington (D.C.) Romance Writers, and Novel Ideas, the newsletter of the Virginia Romance Writers.


It stemmed from a conversation with a fellow author, who suggested – none too gently – that Word Watch quit griping about words being misused by writers and do something about it. 


So, here it is: An attempt to share a lifetime of word usage scrutiny and a journalistic career of picky editing.


HOW TO USE WORD WATCH 


– To look up a specific word or phrase, check the alphabetical inventory at the beginning of this book. Then click on the capitalized link (or links) associated with it to go to that discussion.

– Read the columns month by month.

– Browse at will.

– Engrave on your heart.