Peeps, I’ll be the first to admit I’m not perfect, nor is my writing. I know I need an editor; I’m just too broke to pay for one… And, although I know people living in glass houses shouldn’t complain (unless they can do so anonymously,) after reading a slew of American romances that came from…
Tag: grammar
She’s a he?…..The following comments are just My personal opinions… get over it.
Hey Peeps, I’m apologizing in advance because I about to display my ignorance… I’d met some transgender folks through my children in the past then recently someone dear to my heart came out to me as transgender, hearing those painful words of self loathing broke my heart. But that’s not where my stubborn ignorance comes…
This would have been a lot funnier if the English teacher knew his/her grammar.
When I was browsing the web, I came across this irate, profanity laced letter to an English teacher. While I found the teacher’s handling of it amusing, it’s also somewhat appalling. Yes, this missive is filled with errors, but so are the teacher’s corrections. Now, I’m not claiming to be a grammarian. I’m not a…
Profane vs Profanity?
My love for creative profanity has been well documented in some of my earlier writings (although my satirical skills are still in their infancy, thus explaining my joyful potty mouth.) But, seriously Peeps, is there anything more entertaining then well crafted insults that ignore the boundaries of good taste? Is profanity limited to the bad…
Another Immutable Writerly Rule
Treat the below items like the puss filled sebaceous cysts they are and excise them from your manuscript: Obvious/assumed actions and redundant informational phrases: Tricky Dick Mugillacutty picked up a slice of pizza in his hand, brought it to his mouth and took a bite. Unless gluttonous acts of pizza perversity are in…
Not Your Mother’s English
English is alive. It grows, changes. Mutating like the forgotten cheese hiding in the back corner of the refrigerator behind the blueberry beer bought two years ago (PMS impulse buy;) its once pumpkin orange skin, now a green and white mottled velvet. This was never more apparent than when my mom started beta reading Dead…
How can I avoid going “down the rabbit hole” when writing a research paper?
Answer by Candace Vianna: One of the nice things about academic writing is it follows a standard format. I don’t know what grade-level you are writing too but I’m assuming it’s high school/secondary school or higher. Your instructor should have given you a rubric detailing all the elements needed to satisfy the assignment. If he/she…
How do I start and keep writing stories? I always want to but never was able to actually write something.
Answer by Clarence Sherrick: Get yourself a small easy to carry writing book. As well as a writing device. Keep these with you as often as possible. Even when in the restroom. Whenever you are sitting, standing or waiting for something at some length. Write a quick short passage on anything or anyone going on…
Nowadays, literally is used interchangeably with figuratively, is this truly acceptable? Does this constitute an erosion of the English l…
Answer by Candace Vianna: No, to the first part. These are not interchangeable. They are antonyms. Literally means without interpretation or embellishment, exactly as stated. Figuratively means you’re not being literal, you’re using figures of speech or are speaking metaphorically. The second part of the question is more difficult to pin down. Language evolves with…
Is this paragraph properly written?
Answer by Candace Vianna: I pretty much agree with the majority on this one, but here’s another punctuation trick to consider. On the way to his car, Dan analyzed what the man had said: The warehouse was occupied on Wednesdays and Thursdays. But the Buffalo murder occurred on a Saturday, and Sarah Johnson was killed…