I guess 1200 characters in the "About Me" section is long enough to a) introduce myself and b) state what this blog will be about. In somebody else's universe. Thanks, Twitter and mainstream media, for making us all feel that anything longer than 30 seconds or 120 characters isn't worth paying attention to.
The English language has a checkered history. It is big and messy and idiomatic and ambiguous and constantly evolving, and very little of what can be written about it to help further understanding of where it's been and where it's going and how to use it can fit in a Hallmark card. So be prepared for some nerdy explorations into words and their usages in addition to some nuts-and-bolts things about punctuation and structure.
What I didn't explain in my "About Me" and what I'm hoping will set this blog apart from the bazillion others out there that are about writing or writers:
Most writers blog to establish a presence for themselves online. Some write about writing, about their latest projects and travels; others just write essays about life or whatever as a way to enable fans and prospective agents to get to know them as people. Some post recipes and film reviews in addition to tidbits about writing. Since most writers are readers, many share thoughts about the books they read.
I am not a published author, nor do I aspire to be one at this point in time. I'm picky. I'm critical. I can tear a book's prose or characters to pieces and yet express something positive about what the author was trying to do with the story. I can help you tighten your pacing and guide you to some more precise word choices. I might even be able to give you ideas on how to flesh out your character if you've already got a pretty good skeletal structure.
As hard as I can be on you, I am far harder on myself-- too hard to ever think anything I wrote was good enough to send to an agent.
I don't know where this blog will be five years from now, or if it will even "be" at all. After I've covered some basics--and depending upon whether anybody ever reads my stuff or couldn't care less--I may shut this thing down. Or I may take a leap of faith and try to get published. Stay tuned.
The English language has a checkered history. It is big and messy and idiomatic and ambiguous and constantly evolving, and very little of what can be written about it to help further understanding of where it's been and where it's going and how to use it can fit in a Hallmark card. So be prepared for some nerdy explorations into words and their usages in addition to some nuts-and-bolts things about punctuation and structure.
What I didn't explain in my "About Me" and what I'm hoping will set this blog apart from the bazillion others out there that are about writing or writers:
Most writers blog to establish a presence for themselves online. Some write about writing, about their latest projects and travels; others just write essays about life or whatever as a way to enable fans and prospective agents to get to know them as people. Some post recipes and film reviews in addition to tidbits about writing. Since most writers are readers, many share thoughts about the books they read.
I am not a published author, nor do I aspire to be one at this point in time. I'm picky. I'm critical. I can tear a book's prose or characters to pieces and yet express something positive about what the author was trying to do with the story. I can help you tighten your pacing and guide you to some more precise word choices. I might even be able to give you ideas on how to flesh out your character if you've already got a pretty good skeletal structure.
As hard as I can be on you, I am far harder on myself-- too hard to ever think anything I wrote was good enough to send to an agent.
I don't know where this blog will be five years from now, or if it will even "be" at all. After I've covered some basics--and depending upon whether anybody ever reads my stuff or couldn't care less--I may shut this thing down. Or I may take a leap of faith and try to get published. Stay tuned.
