Glamour.



Right now I'm reading through a fantastic book called The Glamour of Grammar.

Roy Peter Clark's books on language and writing are concise, clear, relevant, and witty. He also shares my opinions about APA's pitfalls and Harry Potter's importance, bonus points there.

Writing Tools is a key book to own and reference as well.

These books are accessible and useful for any native speaker and writer, but they are particularly appreciated by anyone who holds a special place in their heart for the language; those of us who love English so much that we don't only love to read it, we love to read about it.  For fun.

For instance, Glamour suggested that I pick five favorite letters, and write as many words as I could that began with each.  I had a great time.  I love words!  I need to do things like this more often.  It just makes my writing better- more free, creative, loosens up tight spaces.

Honestly, I don't put forth much effort into how I write what I write on this blog.  I know it's for my family, and for me to simply follow the practice of writing about anything in my daily life- but I should be more intentional to include my "best" writing here from time to time, and I haven't been.  Usually that's found in my journals or, especially this year, in homework.  I write some really stunning things that never find their way past my discussion groups and professors- I should put that much thought into my musings on everyday things.

Reading through these books right now is reminding me that I need to work more at spicing up my everyday writing, using new and exciting punctuation, rather than my old crutches.  I need to use my thesaurus more.  I need to write as I write for "real" things that count, rather than always writing "as I talk" on my blog; though of course all styles are welcome here. 

It's not so much about changing the subject matter, as that is already quite varied.  It's about changing how I say it for more impact.  Of course, classes begin this week and my blog will be neglected, and this resolution will be put on the back burner for a time.  At least it's gotten me thinking. 

Oh, and another thing...