I've been thinking more and more about how I would love to be a better writer. I do not consider myself a good writer. I'm very self-conscious of my writing. I have been blogging for approximately 2 1/2 years and I think I've improved dramatically from my first few reviews. This year I really wanted to try a bit harder, and be more expressive when I write my reviews. This seems to be going well, so far.
One thing I really want to work on is my grammar and punctuation skills. I blame the fact that I studied french immersion in high school on my lack of these skills. I easily get mixed up, and I really have to think when writing. Often, french and english have slightly different spelling. For example: grammar and grammer, or Canadian and Canadien. My new goal is to work on this. As I mentioned, this is something that I'm really self-conscious about and I want to improve.
Yesterday, I discovered Grammer Girl Podcasts! I also downloaded the ebook for 1.99$
One more confession, my brain refuses to do math. If you put numbers in front of me, I won't even try. I'll pull out my calculator...
I know how you feel. When I started my blog, I didn't tell my real life friends about it for a while because I was so self conscious about it. I need that punctuation book. I tend to get carried away with commas.
ReplyDeleteI picked up a book similar to this one. I know my punctuation is terrible and I need to re-learn the rules! It is scary to see how much I have forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI can't do math either! I'm pretty good at grammar although it looks like no one, not even newspapers, pay much attention anymore!
ReplyDeleteOh man. I need that book too! Grammar and punctuation just never really clicked with me beyond the basics. I have no idea when to use a semicolon. None at all. I'm sure my reviews are riddled with errors! Also, math and I are not friends either. *pets calculator*
ReplyDeleteI think you write beautiful and engaging reviews, but I can understand the drive to want to better your writing, because I often feel that way myself. This book seems like such a deal, and I hope that it helps!
ReplyDeleteI write a lot for my job and of course, for my blog as well and I think that practice definitely helps towards perfection :)
ReplyDeleteNot a math fan... I always say I am a word girl... not a number girl.
ReplyDeleteA friend recently sent me an email about comma uses and the variation. I'll send her the link to grammar girl. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI also tend to litter my posts with commas, when many of them may well be unnecessary. I was always taught that you should use a comma, wherever you would take a natural breath in a sentence. Perhaps I am getting very short of breath in my old age!
Have a great weekend,
Yvonne
I always look forward to reading your reviews, I think you do a great job of describing your thoughts on books.
ReplyDeleteI have never been good at math either. The kids always get sent to their Dad with questions about math homework!
I totally understand about getting mixed up because of knowing two languages. I grew up trilingual and have the same problem. When I first wrote my book, I didn't want anyone to see the manuscript. But my sister got a hold of it, and the rest is history...
ReplyDeleteI used to be on top of my grammar and punctuation. But as the years have passed and school had faded to the background, I know I've forgotten a lot of stuff. But I'm pretty sure I don't have too many glaring mistakes.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for wanting to work on that and improve your skills. I might have to grab that book as well.
PS: I'm the same way with math. Numbers?...no thank you.
I hear ya on the math thing... I sort of feel like for the ost part there isn't a reason for us to have to know math anymore, LOL. As for the writing I know what you mean. Isn't it fun to see how much you've grown from the beginning with your blog? I think we all have that experience. I started where I couldn't think of a thing to say. Now I feel like I'm way too wordy sometimes. Studying those two languages like that would be confusing for me too!
ReplyDeleteToo much is made of grammar and punctuation. I'm not advocating literary anarchy but grammatical rigidity is akin to social stagnation. Language is malleable, shifting and ever-changing. Grammarians need to respect that. Stephen Fry puts it best here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7E-aoXLZGY
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