I like to think that my witty prose and grammar are like the dotted i’s and crossed t’s, and I generally have them aligned.
Lately, I’ve noticed some of my blog entries contain sentences that look like this:
Yes, we’ve all been tripped up by the occasional extra the definitive article in something we are writing. But it makes me cringe when I see it in something I’ve already hit the PUBLISH button on. I start to feel sweat dripping from my armpits as I madly scramble back to fix and restructure the grammar and form in my lowly sentence.
In an effort towards better writing, I have purchased these two helpful books:
The Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing is a handy guide for punctuation and sentence structure. In the chapter on “How to Start Sentences and Paragraphs”, it clearly outlines how NOT to start a sentence.
- However
Hopefully
Because
A number
A conjunction such as but, or and, etc.
Fabulous! I regularly break all of these rules! Now when writer block descends, I can stress about the rules, right?
It’s actually a pretty humorous book, and I really liked the section called Internet Intervention, which gives guidance on terms as on-line versus online (it’s online), and another gem called “No Matter what Bush said, it’s not called the Internets”. No, indeed.
The second book I’m reading is Sin and Syntax (How to Create Wickedly Effective Prose). Naturally, that caught my eye, because who doesn’t want to write something funny, poignant, or compelling? This book also addresses many of the same grammar issues, but breaks it down into categories I can totally relate to:
Bones: The grammar sermonette
Flesh: Parts of Speech and Syntax
Cardinal Sins: Sets you straight on disastrous transgressions
Carnal Pleasures: Writing can also work when it defies the rules
I’m pretty sure they had me at Carnal Pleasure here, folks. I truly tend to type at breakneck speed when I have an thought, and sometimes hastily dump it out without thinking it through. And it’s all Carnal Pleasures fault, I’m pleased to say.
Although I can’t promise I’ll be a grammar goddess overnight, I sure plan to improve my writing on all fronts. GAH willing, you won’t be reading blog entries like this anymore:
What? You can’t figure that out? Here’s to better grammar!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, FUN! Got to get these books. When I wrote my first few blog posts, I tried to use the same strict attention to grammar and syntax that I had always applied to emails…and that got me a whole ton of respect on the the internets, naturally. Now, after noticing that even NYTimes blogs begin sentences with “Which,” I just plow on and get giddy with the freedom of it all. I like the sentences that seek to emphasize the emotion of an expression while mocking Valley Girl-ese, like. Oh. My. God. I tried that in one post and got so tickled, I sent my husband to the drugstore for Depends, thinking I’d finally aged Past. Bladder. Control.
Love this post!
Okay, I must need the books because I don’t know what’s wrong with the Paris sentence. I, too, like Paris in the Springtime. If I should ever go to Paris, that is.
I’m with Nance. I pretty much write like I talk. And for the most part, I leave out the curse words.
Dawn, I stuck a little visual cue in the graphic. Now you can see why I don’t see those mistakes in my blogs!
I know, it’s awful when you hit publish, pour yourself another cocktail, then hit the sheets, only to wake up to both your mother and your sister sending you e-mails (or is it “emails”?!) reminding you to correct your grammar mistakes!
NO!!! Don’t let the Grammar Police fence you in!
Thanks Meg! Now I see it. And yes, I have done a few of those myself. hehe
Cupcake, not to worry! I’ll always be me, mistakes and all. Maybe just a wee better with apostrophes!
I’ll be purchasing these books too!