Wednesday, October 7, 2009

My love - hate relationship

***Remember I am having a contest for 5 E-books until October 13th! -- All you have to do is leave a comment on any blog from October 6th to October 13th to enter the drawing***



Okay I`ll admit it. I HATE commas. There you go. My biggest friend-enemy is that tiny little half moon shaped thing that is used all over a document.



So this bring me to a book I recently was given to me called Grammar Girl`s Quick and Dirty Tops for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty.



I started the book doubting it could actually help improve my comma usage. I was all over the place. One section I hardly put any commas in (which was incorrect) and another section I`d litter them in almost every sentence. I frustrated myself, not to mention my poor CPs. When I got this book I started at page one and was going to read through it from front to back, but I gave up on that and started flip-flopping back and forth in chapters because I knew some of the stuff already and only wanted to find out how to use the dreaded comma.



I found this book easy to read. The author gives realistic and funny examples on this rather boring topic. She covers so much material in the book that even though she doesn't go into overkill on any one subject, she does manage to get a lot of particial information into 224 pages. I recommand this book for anyone concerned about their own grammar.

I am always interested in reading and learning how to better my skills as a writer. If you have any "Must own" craft books, I'd love to hear about them! Please post a comment here with the book title and if you recommand it. (I am equally interested in hearing of any books that you feel are a waste of money!).

Cheers
Kendal

4 comments:

  1. Commas are evil little tools of Satan. I'm convinced of it. Imps from hell are comma shaped.

    I still rely on good old Strunk & White to get me out of most of the grammatical corners I write myself into. Or rather, into which I write myself. ;)

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  2. Hey Kendal!

    Thanks for this blog. I HATE, HATE, HATE, commas. Did I mention I HATE them.
    I have purchased one book on grammar and could barely keep my eyes open. If you have found something that is easy to read, I'm buying it.

    Have a great day,
    Fallon Hadley

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  3. I write very conversationally, and when I pause in my head, I slap a comma in.

    Yeah, its a hot sloppy mess.
    I don't have a 'favorite' grammer book, but I do refer back to certian rules now and then.

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  4. Thanks for the comments Sela, Betti and December! If I find another great book I'll be sure to post it. All three of you are entered to win free e-books in the contest I am hosting. Good luck!

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