John Rains

Longtime news editor and writing coach. Many years of experience editing newspaper stories and editing novels. For editing service, email [email protected]

[John Rains @rains_john]

@MZHemingway Wwww racer

[John Rains @rains_john]

More problems with soundalikes:
“counsel” for “council”
“Erase” for “raise”
“Lean” for “lien”
#writing #editing #newsmedia

[John Rains @rains_john]

The problem of soundalikes continues. The worst I’ve seen lately: rodiron for “wrought iron.” Also raced for “raised.” bust for “buzzed.”
#writing #editing #newsmedi a

[John Rains @rains_john]

I grew up in the South and never heard the word “Bubba” until I was in my 40s and saw it as the name of a character in a Patricia Cornwell novel. Never met a Cletus either.

[John Rains @rains_john]

@HappyFloridian2 @SteveDescano K

[John Rains @rains_john]

I once knew a reporter who could never remember the difference between lie and lay . When her mother was on her deathbed, Millie told her to “lay back down.” Her mother sat straight up.” “If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a hundred times—it’s lie.”
#writing #editing #newsmedia

[John Rains @rains_john]

The Greeks invented the tragedy, a story—usually in the form of a play—in which someone’s downfall is caused by a personal failing. Hacks abuse and cheapen the word with overuse, never bothering to learn the difference between tragedy and disaster.
#Writing #Editing #Newsmedia

[John Rains @rains_john]

It is “home,” not “hone,” if you mean focus on. To hone is to sharpen or improve.
#writing #editing #newsmedia

[John Rains @rains_john]

I contributed to a relative through a Go Fund Me account. I was charged 17.5 percent, which the site called a “tip.” Despicable.
If you can, give direct instead of through a fund.

[John Rains @rains_john]

@GregCampNC Likewise, people who misuse commas.

[John Rains @rains_john]

Maybe it’s the curmudgeon in me, but when I see the word “traditional,” I expect to see some connection to, you know, a tradition.
#writing #editing #newsmedia

[John Rains @rains_john]

Quick tip:
When birds and bats roost, they sleep. Don’t write “roost” if you mean “perch.”
#writing #editing #newsmedia

[Science girl @sciencegirl]

Wow

https://t.co/Fqe17oOMg4

[John Rains @rains_john]

I’m mostly opposed to the death penalty, mainly because I don’t trust government with the power to kill people. I still think anyone who shackles a small child should be executed.

[John Rains @rains_john]

Before the AP caved, a favorite argument for the so-called singular they was that it was in regular use decades ago. Did anyone think to ask why it went out of fashion?
#writing #editing #newsmedia

[John Rains @rains_john]

Some contractions are recommended to avoid sounding stuffy. That’s ok up to a point. But some— such as it’d and that’d — are silly.
#writing #editing #newsmedia

[John Rains @rains_john]

Old editors’ wisdom: It takes a dirty mind to produce a clean paper. Some writers are naive. Some have trouble with soundalikes. Like the reporter who wrote about a disappointing experience at a fair. She said she spent the night in the sheep pen, balling. She meant “bawling.”

[Science girl @sciencegirl]

The importance of compassion

[John Rains @rains_john]

Quick tip:
When you switch from rifle to shotgun in the same paragraph, readers are confused and left to wonder whether you know what you’re talking about. The guns are different and the words are not interchangeable.
#writing #editing #newsmedia