I have a new book to store in my Powers That Be reference shelf. This shelf holds what I consider to be the pantheon of grammar and stylistic reference material. This collection includes Garner’s Modern American Usage and Grammar Girl’s The Grammar Devotional.

And now it also displays Marcia Riefer Johnson’s Word Up! How to Write Powerful Sentences and Paragraphs (And Everything You Build from Them). This wonderful book is worth reading if only for the chapter on writing procedures.

But it’s the entire book that I find so helpful, both in the new ideas it contains, and the reminders of rules that I’ve cast aside (mostly out of forgetfulness). I found helpful hints and reminders for the Scot who works as a writer, and for the Scot who works as an editor.

I will be referring to Marcia’s work often and, in the course of this blog, please note that all future errors I make are due to my own neglect rather than Marcia’s teaching.

If you’re serious about your writing, I encourage you to read Word Up! And, while you’re honing your writing chops, visit Marcia’s website. She posts even more wonderful advice to help you become a great communicator.