Be Your Own Editor

I’m back! Boy, have I been busy since my last post: adopting a child from Guatemala, ghostwriting a novel for a famous author who must remain unnamed, training for the Boston Marathon… Oh, fine. I’ve just been busy editing. (I knew no one would believe that last one.)

Back to business with an interesting question from Darlene:

How do you handle sentences that could apply to either gender when you’re writing for both? Do you use he or she (or him or her), or they (or their)?

For example: If you meet a stranger in a coffee shop, do you notice their (or his or her) smile?

There’s no one right answer, Darlene. But a little guidance and good sense will help you handle a tricky issue.

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