10 Comments
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Katie Johnson's avatar

I love the poem and the Q&A!! In writing and in music, it seems, the rules matter, if for no other reason than to break them better, but they're so hard to remember!

Barbara Mahany's avatar

"to break them better"!!!

Susan Brady Konig's avatar

Oh sorry, I was just outside building a bonfire 🔥 and dancing around it to celebrate your introducing me to Nancy and sharing her mad skills —which is equal to your lending me one million dollars! 💵 Copyeditors and proofreaders are gold. And brilliant. And the nicest people!

Barbara Mahany's avatar

you make me laugh out loud. so, tell me, how does the ol’ NYFD respond to ceremonial bonfires? do they join the brigade, offer a whoop and holler of their own? love to you, my writerly sister with whom we now share the coveted NGW.

Nancy Watkins's avatar

It turns out that deep in our dark, cobwebby corners, copy editors are still capable of profuse blushing!

Riyanka Paul's avatar

This was such a lovely tribute. We often celebrate the writers but forget the people behind the scenes who help the sentences become what they are meant to be; and now i'm leaving with a new favourite word, catena. thanks for this.

Barbara Mahany's avatar

And you can thank dear Nancy every time you use it. I love the scattering of these seeds.

Judy's avatar

I have a deep respect for those who can make passive voice straight. This brings me back to my days of attempting to teach that rule to many. You are blessed to have found two people who are so willing to help. And they are blessed to simply know all those rules!

David Mahany's avatar

A delightful paean to the hidden corners of the writerly craft! The Magister towers over my work at the art farm.

Barbara Mahany's avatar

and he too is among the finest. i read him religiously.