Poetry, song, women, and whisky: it’s Burns’ Night, everyone!

Tonight is Burns' Night: the annual celebration (the birthday!) of the great Scottish poet Robert Burns. Robert Burns, as it happens, is my favourite poet. I have many favourite poets, but Burns has my heart. And my deepest respect. In honour of Burns' Night, I've decided that I'd share some of my favourite bits of …

Parenthesis, hashtaggery, and those pesky mermaids

I love parenthetical thoughts: the things you find written in brackets; asides; additional (sometimes hilarious and/or sarcastic) information that writers can't help but share. Whether what's shared in parentheses is for background, clarification, or amusement, I find it all endearing in some way. I salute writers who know when and how to use parentheses effectively …