Excessive alliteration Q: I love excessive alliteration, okay maybe just a healthy dose of alliteration. Sometimes I'm not even aware I've done it until I see all the highlighted words from my editor. But why is it frowned upon in my fiction? A: While some...

Ode to HomophonesMrs. Grammar Person’s Ode to Homophones When I give my assent, it means I concur, but my rapid ascent means I fly like a bird. (I just love homophones, don't you?) I compliment you when I say something kind, like your meal is superb and complements...

Admire Your AdverbsMrs. Grammar Person wants to admire your adverbs. Are you as fond of adverbs as we are? We have been waiting for months for Mrs. Grammar Person to return.And now Mrs. Grammar Person has a few things to say: Fear not, Gentle Writer, Mrs. Grammar...

Irregular NounsBarbara Venkataraman is back with another sweet verse for our ears. The Mixed-up Sound of an Irregular Noun Fear not, Gentle Writer, for Mrs. Grammar Person, hearing your sighs and seeing your furrowed brows, is delighted to offer her assistance once...

Q: My editor has several margin comments about "stage directions." I'm not writing a play, it's a novel. What does she mean by too many stage directions?Sincerely, Befuddled A: Your lovely editor is merely pointing out that showing a reader precisely how a character...

Pleas don't dessert me.From the desk of Ms. Grammar Person Fear not, Gentle Writer, for help has arrived.  Rest assured that your grimaces and groans, your grinding of teeth has not gone unnoticed. And, because Mrs. Grammar Person abhors the grinding of perfectly good...

    What makes a mystery a cozy mystery? An amateur sleuth. A protagonist who could be me or you, just a regular person. A small-town setting. Community is key here. A local area where we can get to know the village or town citizens and take a visit to an interesting...

Unique Good Cheer   Mrs. Grammar Person would not abandon you to your own devices simply because the holidays are upon us. To the contrary, it is the time of year when Mrs. G.P. frets most about her devoted fans. During this, the gift-giving season, you must...

Gentleman CallerMs. Grammar Person would not abandon you in your hour of need—not when you face potential pitfalls at every turn: an avalanche of apostrophes, a mountain of misplaced modifiers, and a desert of dangling participles. The horror! In truth, Mrs. G. P....

It's a ComplementMs. Grammar Person would not abandon you in your hour of need—not when you face potential pitfalls at every turn: an avalanche of apostrophes, a mountain of misplaced modifiers, and a desert of dangling participles. The horror! In truth, Mrs. G. P....