Brought to you by Patricia O'Connor, author of Woe Is I and Words Fail Me.
Her comments on which verb tense is preferable when attributing quotations appear in the latest issue of Copy Editor. Should you write "Chris Smith says" or "Chris Smith said"? This is a subject of much debate, believe it or not, among people with nothing better to do. O'Connor's advice is "[D]on't mix your seds with your sezes." In other words, just choose one method and stick with it. Good advice in many areas, I'd say, not just writing.