ADVICE FOR THE LIT-LORN

All or None

Dear Geist,Which is correct, (a), (b), or both? (a) All of them are overdressed for the hike; (b) None of them is properly dressed for the hike.

Worked up

Dear Geist, I must take issue with your advice to Tiana in Yarmouth, a writer who hopes to volunteer at a publishing company for a few months.

On the House

Dear Geist, Does all writing always have to conform to a publisher's house style?

Who's killing English?

Would you think I'm crazy if I offer to work as an unpaid intern in a publishing company?

Unveiling

Dear Geist, How does a first-time novel writer know when it’s time to show their work to others for comment/critique?

Mood blah

Dear Geist, Is it a mistake to try to write when you really aren’t in the mood?

He she it arf arf

Dear Geist, What's your policy on using gender pronouns when referring to animals?

Mission impossibly

Dear Geist, Is anyone but me sick to death of “impossibly,” the new (sort of) favourite adverb in contemporary fiction?

Grammar check

Dear Geist, Yes or no: Do writers have to be proficient in spelling and grammar to be any good?

Particle pickle

Dear Geist, What is a particle?

Cap or trap?

Why does my spelling/grammar checker keep capitalizing the word is in the title of my essay, “What is Empathy”?

Oh, the irony

Have you got a simple definition of the word irony?

Stylish

What are the main ways for a young writer to develop their unique writing style, and how long does it take?

Intern plus

Would you think I'm crazy if I offer to work as an unpaid intern in a publishing company?

Gaia gasp

Why do English-language style guides tell us to italicize words in other languages when they appear in English running text?

Sharpie life

What can you tell me about the word sharpie as a verb?