Paul,

> I really like parenthetical statements (like this), but for some reason that always bugs editors (I have no idea why). I think they give insite into the inner monologue going on in my head while I'm writing something. The little voices keep me company, why can't I share them with the world?

I use them (and also let my authors use them) as long as they aren't overdone (like this).

> Prepositional phrases - you just have to cover preposition phrases! I have no idea why, I just remember that they were important for some reason. I'll have to look that up in my copy of "Plain English Please."

They're important because in order to be able to write well, you should remove many of them. We'll spend some time on those and on proper use of commas, but most of the session will focus on developing killer content.