Nancy Rudel
Author's posts
May 15
The Chaos – Gerard Nolst Trenité (1922)
Dearest creature in creation Studying English pronunciation, I will teach you in my verse Sounds like corpse, corps, horse and worse. I will keep you, Susy, busy, Make your head with heat grow dizzy; Tear in eye, your dress you’ll tear; Queer, fair seer, hear my prayer. Pray, console your loving poet, Make my coat …
Apr 15
Early copyediting
Last week I visited the Museum Plantin-Moretus in Antwerp, Belgium. The 16th- and 17th-century printshop is fascinating and beautiful. Spelling was a quite flexible concept back then, but sharp-eyed copyeditors checked proofs for typesetting and other errors.
Mar 17
St. Patrick’s Day
I had a very happy childhood, which is unsuitable if you’re going to be an Irish writer.” Maeve Binchy, 1940-2012 Best wishes for a grand day to the Irish and Irish-at-heart! I fall in the latter category; as a long-time ophiophobic, my admiration for St. Patrick is boundless. I’ll be eating Lucky Charms for breakfast, …
Mar 04
Quotation
Feb 09
Valentine gifts for writers and editors
1. Let LOVE reign over your beloved’s workspace with this paperweight inspired by Robert Indiana’s sculpture. Available from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store. 2. If your sweetheart is a writer or editor, it can be intimidating to write a love letter. I doubt the object of your affection would be feeling critical when …
Feb 06
How the US Supreme Court uses the dictionary
An interesting article from the Washington Post. The definition of a single word can determine the Court’s interpretation of law.
Jan 15
Dynamic language
Jan 09
Ten better ways to say: excited
A recent series of good news from friends has me excited, a feeling that sometimes requires a more nuanced or expressive phrase. Here are ten alternatives, some for good news and some for bad: tingling with anticipation apoplectic beside oneself giddy with glee delighted euphoric hysterical rapturous over the moon tickled to pieces