English buffs are a breed apart from just plain readers. True lovers of language relish wordplay. They’ve alienated all but the most accomplished Scrabble players from their circle of friends. Finding a typo in a bestseller (misspelled words in newspapers constitute child’s play for these grammar goons) leaves them feeling both superior and a little [...]
Author Archive: Lisa Z.
Uh-Oh, My 13-Year-Old Has a Facebook!–Parental Controls and Social Networking
The first thing to know about Facebook (FB) is that most FB thirteen-year-olds are actually eleven or ten … even nine (especially if they’re child number three and no one is paying attention anymore). Getting a FB page is a bonafide rite of passage, complete with celebratory input (no gifts, please) from far-flung relatives. “Welcome [...]
How to Write a Great Thank-You Note
Writing a thank-you note has long been perceived as a chore, especially painful for children, who don’t understand that civilization just might fall apart without such social niceties. It can seem like a race to get to the part where you sign your name (with great flair and panache, of course). Phew, you think, one [...]
Dear Santa Redux
We all love our holiday traditions, be they Black Friday sales, polishing up the menorah, or, as in my household, trudging into the Bureau of Land Management forest up in the foothills to find the perfect tree, only to forget the tree-cutting permit and get the truck stuck in the icy mud. As dedicated traditionalists, [...]
How to Write a Great Letter to Santa
Crafting a compelling direct appeal letter is all about timing, tone, and attention to detail. Take your basic Letter to Santa. Sure, you could crank it out on mom’s PC to show St. Nick how clever you are (and, therefore, worthy of his attention) by: Ramping your wish list up visually with your fave font, [...]
