Reader,

February is striking Middle Tennessee with a vengeance this week. Now, I really shouldn't be complaining about that. We had 70-degree weather two weeks ago. It's only fair for proper winter weather to make another appearance before March roars in like a lion. But I can't help feeling sad. Just because I'm from Canada doesn't mean I like the cold.

Anyhow, since I can't do anything about the outdoors, I'm taking this opportunity to do some newsletter housekeeping.

A bunch of you are new (or new-ish) readers. Welcome! It's a privilege to show up in your inbox. Since I've typically done a poor job of introducing myself and welcoming newer readers, consider this the welcome email you never received.

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For those of you who are new:

If we haven't met, Hi! My name is Frank. (Though I've been known to answer to Jason too.)

I'm a professional writer and editor, which is a polite way of saying that people pay me to make their books better. It's pretty much my dream job. I've loved sentences since I was in elementary school. Sometimes I still can't believe that I get to write and play with them for a living.

That love of sentences is what drives this newsletter. I can't tell you the secret to getting published by a major publisher. Nor will I describe the six ways to write web copy that sells. If you're looking for that kind of content, you're in the wrong place.

I write Action Words for writers who, like me, love sentences. Sometimes that means geeking out over a fun sentence I stumbled across in my reading. Other times, that involves reflections about the mindset of writing. To put it simply, I use this space to share what I've been learning about the craft of writing. I probably don't have any earth-shattering to say. I'm just here to play around with words and encourage you to do the same.

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For those of you who've been here for a while:

I have a programming update for you! Starting this week, I'll be sending this newsletter twice a week.

On Tuesdays, I'll send you the kind of content you're used to here:

• Examples of strong sentences with an analysis of what makes them work
• Highlights from my reading and research about nurturing creativity
• Encouragements about developing a healthy writing mindset

I aim to keep these emails short and tasty. Like verbal Timbits, if you will.

On Fridays, however, I'll share some personal writing. Short (or not-so-short) essays on whatever's been tickling my fancy: faith, hockey, Hellboy, W. H. Auden, Taylor Swift, K-Dramas. It’ll basically be my writing sandbox, a chance for me to play around and put what I preach into practice.

If you'd rather not receive two emails a week from me — since that's not what you signed up for — I understand. Go ahead and unsubscribe here. While I'll be sorry to see you go, I don't want you to groan and roll your eyes every time you see my name in your inbox.

But if you choose to stay, awesome. We're going to have fun together.

Keep your stick on the ice.

Frank.

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P.S. This is Paul. He shows up in a lot of my photos. Today he's highlighting the coolest autograph I own.