and it ain't me. Seriously, all writers should have command of the language they are using, but let's face it, English is a tricky language. I'd wager nearly everyone runs into a problem or has a question every now and again.
Personally, I have claimed the title of Queen of the Misplaced Comma. I sprinkle commas liberally throughout my writing, sometimes whether the sentence needs them or not. This isn't deliberate. Oftentimes, I put them in where it seems there is a natural break in the sentence and this is often wrong.
Also the words its and it's drive me nuts. Whenever it comes time to use one or the other I have to stop and think, "Okay, 'its' is the possesive, right? No, wait. One would say 'That is John's dog.' so why isn't it "it's?" Because "it's" is the contraction for "it is." Right? Aaaaaaargh!!" And on it goes.
Thankfully, there are numerous resources on which a writer can rely. I found a handy little website this morning called Dr.Grammar.org . This site is a quick-reference tool that answers basic grammar questions in a fun, memorable way. Of course, this one little page can't cover everything. The works cited list alone tells the story.
English is tricky. Use with care.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
A Little Help From a Friend
There are always those times when a writer gets stuck with a particular piece. I have two humor articles that have been sitting on my hard-drive unfinished for a long time. I pulled them up again and started reading. Hmmm, they had potential, but I couldn't think of anything to add.
Luckily, I have a friend who also writes humor. She's terrifically funny and she thinks I'm funny too. Naturally, I turned to her to see what she thought of my unfinished pieces.
Now, there are some writers who cringe at the thought of showing anyone a piece of work that's unfinished or in a very rough stage, but sometimes it's crucial to get feedback from someone just to make sure an old piece is worth revisiting and reworking. Not just any someone will do either. It should be someone who is familar with the writer's work, knows something about the writing process and can offer advice on what needs to be done. Someone who is just a cheerleader isn't often helpful, but neither is someone who is too judgemental. I believe a writer has to find that special person (maybe persons) who strikes the right balance between blind enthusiasm and brutal honesty.
My friend and I met up on IM and I pasted what I had into the chat window. She enjoyed the first piece and said so. I trust her when she tells me "Yes, this is good. Keep going."
I showed her the second piece and that is when our conversation really took off. It was a subject with which she could identify. (It seems we both have "brown" thumbs and can't get house plants to grow.) Before long we were trying to top each other with funny, outrageous comments--trying to get the other to laugh. It worked wonders for a piece I thought was going nowhere because I thought I'd run out of funny things to say. I copied the whole conversation and soon I'll go back, pick and choose what I think are my best lines and get going with my article again.
Better yet, my friend, who hasn't written much in the last few years, says she's been inspired to give writing a whirl again. Hurray!
Writing can sometimes be a lonely, frustrating experience. Having writing friends to turn to, who have "been there," can relieve some of the frustration---it sure helps with the lonely feelings too.
Luckily, I have a friend who also writes humor. She's terrifically funny and she thinks I'm funny too. Naturally, I turned to her to see what she thought of my unfinished pieces.
Now, there are some writers who cringe at the thought of showing anyone a piece of work that's unfinished or in a very rough stage, but sometimes it's crucial to get feedback from someone just to make sure an old piece is worth revisiting and reworking. Not just any someone will do either. It should be someone who is familar with the writer's work, knows something about the writing process and can offer advice on what needs to be done. Someone who is just a cheerleader isn't often helpful, but neither is someone who is too judgemental. I believe a writer has to find that special person (maybe persons) who strikes the right balance between blind enthusiasm and brutal honesty.
My friend and I met up on IM and I pasted what I had into the chat window. She enjoyed the first piece and said so. I trust her when she tells me "Yes, this is good. Keep going."
I showed her the second piece and that is when our conversation really took off. It was a subject with which she could identify. (It seems we both have "brown" thumbs and can't get house plants to grow.) Before long we were trying to top each other with funny, outrageous comments--trying to get the other to laugh. It worked wonders for a piece I thought was going nowhere because I thought I'd run out of funny things to say. I copied the whole conversation and soon I'll go back, pick and choose what I think are my best lines and get going with my article again.
Better yet, my friend, who hasn't written much in the last few years, says she's been inspired to give writing a whirl again. Hurray!
Writing can sometimes be a lonely, frustrating experience. Having writing friends to turn to, who have "been there," can relieve some of the frustration---it sure helps with the lonely feelings too.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Jane Austen on Masterpiece Theater
Masterpiece Theater on PBS is offering up movie adaptations of Jane Austen's novels once a week for over three months! As a Jane Austen freak, this pleases me immensely--my husband and children not so much.
I watched Persuasion last Sunday. It was a version I'd not seen before. While I enjoyed the version with Ciaran Hines much more,the Sunday night broadcast offered a decent adaptation. Of course, squeezing a novel into a ninety-minute movie means that the story is put on fast forward, and the characters are drawn in extremely broad strokes, rendering even the main characters (and certainly the minor ones) as one-dimensional. When the movie strayed away from the book, the distance it wandered was considerable. At one point I found myself jumping up from couch and shouting, "There is NO KISSING in Jane Austen!"
Still, it is always a pleasant experience to visit most any version of Austen's world. If the Masterpiece Theater series encourages anyone to pick up Austen's novels again or for the first time, that's great. Just remember, the book is always better!
Here's a link to the PBS site which has a printable PDF file for the entire Masterpiece Theater schedule:
Masterpiece Theater
Here's hoping that I can keep up with blogging. I've decided to take inspiration from my beloved Jane: "...for not being overburdened with subject (having nothing at all to say), I shall have no check on my genius from beginning to end." --letter to Cassandra, Feb. 1807.
I watched Persuasion last Sunday. It was a version I'd not seen before. While I enjoyed the version with Ciaran Hines much more,the Sunday night broadcast offered a decent adaptation. Of course, squeezing a novel into a ninety-minute movie means that the story is put on fast forward, and the characters are drawn in extremely broad strokes, rendering even the main characters (and certainly the minor ones) as one-dimensional. When the movie strayed away from the book, the distance it wandered was considerable. At one point I found myself jumping up from couch and shouting, "There is NO KISSING in Jane Austen!"
Still, it is always a pleasant experience to visit most any version of Austen's world. If the Masterpiece Theater series encourages anyone to pick up Austen's novels again or for the first time, that's great. Just remember, the book is always better!
Here's a link to the PBS site which has a printable PDF file for the entire Masterpiece Theater schedule:
Masterpiece Theater
Here's hoping that I can keep up with blogging. I've decided to take inspiration from my beloved Jane: "...for not being overburdened with subject (having nothing at all to say), I shall have no check on my genius from beginning to end." --letter to Cassandra, Feb. 1807.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Revenge of the Toys
Now that the holidays(in all their gift-giving glory) are over, I thought it appropriate to post this article I wrote years ago when my son was little. It was published on a parenting humor website and is probably still there. I was going to dedicate this post to someone by name, but there is no need. You know who you are.
Revenge of the Toys
They scream. They wail. They make noises specifically designed to drive parents up the wall. Are they children? No. Well, not always. It’s their toys.
During the season of giving, more often than not, these toys come to us from people who themselves endure, or once endured, a house full of noisy toys they didn’t buy for their children. Share the joy. That’s what Christmas is all about isn’t it?
It’s gift-giving revenge and it’s an ugly cycle. The motto is: “Do unto others, especially if they’ve done unto you or even if they didn’t do unto you, they deserve it anyway because of what I went through.”
How else to explain my mother showing up at my house with a gigantic toy fire truck, complete with realistic siren, flashing lights and built in megaphone?
“He’ll love it! You had one almost exactly like it when you were little!” Mom exclaimed.
“Mom, he’s only four weeks old.”
“Just wait until you hear what I bring him next week!” She cackled with glee and flew out the door.
The procession of noisy gifts has been nearly endless since my son was born. It’s not just at Christmas either. Birthdays, Easter, Tuesdays-- you never know when a gift-avenging friend or relative will show up at the door.
Just recently, even my darling sister-in-law proved not to be above giving in the spirit of revenge.
“This is for Nicholas!” she said, as she pulled a miniature electric guitar out of a shopping bag. “Rick has one just like it and Nicholas played with it the entire time he stayed with us last Thursday!” She smiled lovingly at Nicholas while she showed him how to work the volume button. “I looked all over town until I found just the right one for you…er…him.”
I plugged my fingers in my ears as my son launched into one ear-blistering riff after another. “I’m really sorry you went to so much trouble. Where did Rick get his?” I shouted.
Her smile faded and, for a moment, a small gleam of hatred flared in her eyes. “You gave it to him. Don’t you remember?”
“Oh.” I said. “Heh,heh. I guess I did. But, but, that was years ago. Before I had children.”
She tilted her head, patted Nicholas on the back and her sweet smile returned. “Yes. I know.”
Granted, some toys are noisier than others, but there is one that stands out from the rest. It is the toy given only by the most diabolical of gift revengers. Famous for bringing even the most patient and indulgent parents to their knees, hands clasped to their ears, begging “Please, make it stop! Make it s-t-o-o-o-o-p!” For sheer nerve-grinding torture there is no equal to…The Popper.
Oh, it seems innocent enough at first. Just a clear plastic dome on wheels, a convenient handle, and those little plastic balls inside the dome that go “POP!” “POP!” “POP!” “POP!” “POP!” as a happy toddler barrels through the house.
The Popper is the toy voted Most Likely To Mysteriously Disappear Overnight by parents worldwide. If your child plays with it enough, it will soon seem as if those little plastic balls are bouncing around inside your skull.
I know this from experience because my older sister, has made it her mission in life to ensure that no child in our family is ever denied the pleasure of this wonderful toy. Why? Simply because her son, now 21 years old, was given one on his first birthday.
Pat doesn’t even remember who the original Popper culprit was. It doesn’t matter. She suffered. Now all others must suffer the Popper misery she knew. She feels it’s only fair.
I, of course, have never given a noisy toy to a child simply to torment his or her parents. No, no, no. My choices are always based on whether or not a toy is truly beneficial to a child’s educational and emotional development. If the toy just happens to operate one decibel level below the scream of a jet engine, it’s purely coincidental. Honest.
Revenge of the Toys
They scream. They wail. They make noises specifically designed to drive parents up the wall. Are they children? No. Well, not always. It’s their toys.
During the season of giving, more often than not, these toys come to us from people who themselves endure, or once endured, a house full of noisy toys they didn’t buy for their children. Share the joy. That’s what Christmas is all about isn’t it?
It’s gift-giving revenge and it’s an ugly cycle. The motto is: “Do unto others, especially if they’ve done unto you or even if they didn’t do unto you, they deserve it anyway because of what I went through.”
How else to explain my mother showing up at my house with a gigantic toy fire truck, complete with realistic siren, flashing lights and built in megaphone?
“He’ll love it! You had one almost exactly like it when you were little!” Mom exclaimed.
“Mom, he’s only four weeks old.”
“Just wait until you hear what I bring him next week!” She cackled with glee and flew out the door.
The procession of noisy gifts has been nearly endless since my son was born. It’s not just at Christmas either. Birthdays, Easter, Tuesdays-- you never know when a gift-avenging friend or relative will show up at the door.
Just recently, even my darling sister-in-law proved not to be above giving in the spirit of revenge.
“This is for Nicholas!” she said, as she pulled a miniature electric guitar out of a shopping bag. “Rick has one just like it and Nicholas played with it the entire time he stayed with us last Thursday!” She smiled lovingly at Nicholas while she showed him how to work the volume button. “I looked all over town until I found just the right one for you…er…him.”
I plugged my fingers in my ears as my son launched into one ear-blistering riff after another. “I’m really sorry you went to so much trouble. Where did Rick get his?” I shouted.
Her smile faded and, for a moment, a small gleam of hatred flared in her eyes. “You gave it to him. Don’t you remember?”
“Oh.” I said. “Heh,heh. I guess I did. But, but, that was years ago. Before I had children.”
She tilted her head, patted Nicholas on the back and her sweet smile returned. “Yes. I know.”
Granted, some toys are noisier than others, but there is one that stands out from the rest. It is the toy given only by the most diabolical of gift revengers. Famous for bringing even the most patient and indulgent parents to their knees, hands clasped to their ears, begging “Please, make it stop! Make it s-t-o-o-o-o-p!” For sheer nerve-grinding torture there is no equal to…The Popper.
Oh, it seems innocent enough at first. Just a clear plastic dome on wheels, a convenient handle, and those little plastic balls inside the dome that go “POP!” “POP!” “POP!” “POP!” “POP!” as a happy toddler barrels through the house.
The Popper is the toy voted Most Likely To Mysteriously Disappear Overnight by parents worldwide. If your child plays with it enough, it will soon seem as if those little plastic balls are bouncing around inside your skull.
I know this from experience because my older sister, has made it her mission in life to ensure that no child in our family is ever denied the pleasure of this wonderful toy. Why? Simply because her son, now 21 years old, was given one on his first birthday.
Pat doesn’t even remember who the original Popper culprit was. It doesn’t matter. She suffered. Now all others must suffer the Popper misery she knew. She feels it’s only fair.
I, of course, have never given a noisy toy to a child simply to torment his or her parents. No, no, no. My choices are always based on whether or not a toy is truly beneficial to a child’s educational and emotional development. If the toy just happens to operate one decibel level below the scream of a jet engine, it’s purely coincidental. Honest.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Getting Back On Track
It has been over a month since my last post here and my fiction writing has been neglected. Having two children with birthdays in December, plus the holidays, plus various other situations meant that writing and blog-postings had to wait.
Getting side-tracked by real life is not neccessarily a bad thing for writing, unless, of course the writer gets side-tracked too long. I actually had some story ideas bubble up when I was the most distracted and busy.
It was as if while one part of my brain was busy addressing greeting cards,buying gifts and wrapping presents, the writer part was also busy in the background working out storylines and inventing characters. It's like whenever you can't recall someone's name or maybe the name of a store or restaurant you used to visit, if you just stop trying to think of it, the answer will come to you out of nowhere. Your brain is still working on the answer, you just have to give it time to access the file.
Well, my brain created some new files that have to be looked through. Now I just have to find the time to that.
Getting side-tracked by real life is not neccessarily a bad thing for writing, unless, of course the writer gets side-tracked too long. I actually had some story ideas bubble up when I was the most distracted and busy.
It was as if while one part of my brain was busy addressing greeting cards,buying gifts and wrapping presents, the writer part was also busy in the background working out storylines and inventing characters. It's like whenever you can't recall someone's name or maybe the name of a store or restaurant you used to visit, if you just stop trying to think of it, the answer will come to you out of nowhere. Your brain is still working on the answer, you just have to give it time to access the file.
Well, my brain created some new files that have to be looked through. Now I just have to find the time to that.
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