“The Question of Ear is Vital.” ~ The Elements of Style

Posted by on Aug 13, 2012 in Writing Life | 9 comments

When I was a freshman in high school, English class was not my favorite. (Sorry, Mrs. Roseberry. My brother received the English gene. I received the math.) And I truly loathed reading the classics. (Hey! Don’t judge me. I tolerated some classics. I even liked The Great Gatsby. And I was ever so thankful when movies like Pride and Prejudice were made.) However, I have fond memories of Mrs. Roseberry and the things she taught me long after I left high school. Her teachings have stayed with me because of what an amazing woman and teacher she is/was. For example, I will never EVER use...

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Oh, those honkin curse words….

Posted by on May 30, 2012 in Writing Life, Young Adult (for adults, too! :)) | 18 comments

Okay, I confess, I say a curse word or two every once in a blue moon. I rarely say very bad ones. I think using curse words in every day language just lacks imagination. However, I do sometimes say shit when I bang my funny bone or when I drop and glass that shatters all over my kitchen floor. And it sounds something more along the lines of SHEE-IT! So, it hardly counts as cursing, but more along the lines of a Kentucky accent butchering a bad word. And as far as my children? They know I’d never approve of them dropping F-bombs, or the other F-word that rhymes with dart. I...

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