"Oil Spill"

I have mixed feelings about this environmental disaster. It took way . . . way to long. I feel for the lifestyles of the gulfs peoples. What a massive economic loss. But, what about the wildlife? They also have suffered. I ask: With our technology why did it take almost three months to cap the oil? I'll tell you why. BP had its damn head up its butt with all its billions. It will take years for recovery to happen for the gulf shores. I wish them the best.

"Affect & Effect"

Perhaps the easiest way to sort out the confusion about these two words is to remember that the most common use of affect is a verb, and of effect is a noun.
"For your born writer, nothing is so healing as the realization that he or she has come upon the right word." Catherine Drinker Bowen

Happy Writing,
Magdalena

"Fall Project"

I have a tub of yarn to use up. So, I've decided to knit a blanket. I have all the colors of the rainbow. Not sure of the size yet or what size needle to use. I found a pattern to follow, but will have to make some revisions. I'm not a great knitter, but I'm great with just square after square. So, I should be O.K. with my fall project. I'll keep you posted this fall as to how the blanket takes its shape.

"Supporting Characters"

How many should you have? That depends on what you are writing. For a picture book, I would say no more then, two. Your main character needs someone or something to interact with. This pulls your story forward. For longer works, use them as you need them. Just remember: If there are too many characters to keep up with your reader may get very confused.

Happy Writing,
Magdalena

"And & But"

Should you use 'and or but' at the beginning of a sentence? Some writers say, NO. Others say, it depends. I say, use them if they sound natural to your writing. Words like these have been taboo in the past. But, as time moves on things change. And writing styles and rules change.

Best,
Magdalena