Hal Alpiar launches blog
What does one say when discovering that an icon in the fields of writing, marketing, communication, education, and community service quietly launches a blog of some import?
Hal Alpiar, shown here with his beloved 10-year-old Barnegat, is a career writer; national book award winner; radio host; publisher; management trainer; editor-in-chief; professor-of-the year award winner; won two federal appointments to SBA Advisory Council; national marketing award winner; National Committee for Quality Health Care.
Not only that, but Alpiar's latest book, High Tide, is ready for review by agents. This work of fiction is based on true events.
Ever seen a word in a group followed by a hyphen and a space that looks strange? Like this:
The subject of using one space or two between sentences, especially for people used to typing exclusively on typewriters or in following a style guide that is sometimes required, often creates colorful conflict. 
Are you frazzled because you've heard that you must never end a sentence with a preposition? Wrong! You may end a sentence any way you choose to. I chose to write the previous sentence so it ended in a preposition. It's called a terminal preposition. 
Reading Not Bartlett's is like dipping into a box of exquisite but varied Godiva chocolates: smooth and satisfying, but without the calories.
Let's tackle plurals and possessives for proper nouns ending in sibilants! Gulp! Recently, someone asked me, "Which is correct for the plural of my last name - Strauss's or Strausses or Strauss'???? And what about possessives?"
Have you noticed how easy it is to stereotype people? We see them everywhere, at every level of most cultures. Far too many people may be most comfortable when they can put others in neat packages. But life isn’t just about comfort: it’s about growing in strength of character, exploring and learning new ideas and skills, and learning how to function as part of at least one community. 
Skilled at marketing, but not at spelling? How about punctuation? Capitalization? Some of the most brilliant people in history couldn’t spell well, but they didn’t let that stop them from reaching their goals. And today, it doesn’t stop Charles Schwab or writer Stephen J. Cannell. Why should you be different? 
Are you one of the many bright people who speaks well but has trouble with the mechanics of writing: following those confusing rules concerning spelling, punctuating, capitalizing, etc.? Is a relative, co-worker or editor constantly whipping out a dictionary, style guide, or grammar handbook to point out mistakes in your writing, making you want to slam their fingers in Chapter 6?
The origin of this interjection probably lies in cartoon world, when the heroine jumped up on a chair and shrieked, "Eek! A mouse!" These days it's still an informal, usually
Need some help creating a website, blog, or ezine title?
Have you ever wondered where the periods and commas are placed when you're writing direct and indirect quotations?
Do you feel okay with punctuation for possessives until you have to decide on "men's room," "mens' room," or "mens room?" Let's investigate.