tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post6858382247108940815..comments2024-03-29T03:03:52.813-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Book Review: Excuse me, Your Participle’s Dangling! Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-6130855077354638872013-10-31T18:35:18.523-06:002013-10-31T18:35:18.523-06:00This sounds like an ideal book for one of my gramm...This sounds like an ideal book for one of my grammatically-challenged clients.Elle Carter Nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02266309723919011181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-6133772991276905332013-10-31T18:34:12.975-06:002013-10-31T18:34:12.975-06:00I do enjoy delving into grammar books, but not cov...I do enjoy delving into grammar books, but not cover-to-cover; I follow rabbit trails and get quite absorbed.Elle Carter Nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02266309723919011181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-71995669964052753592013-10-31T17:04:42.516-06:002013-10-31T17:04:42.516-06:00Kathryn, I do not read grammar guides for enjoymen...Kathryn, I do not read grammar guides for enjoyment. LOL However, I do like them for reference. I agree that we absorb the correct usage, but sometimes I like to go back and find the right terminology. It helps when I'm editing for a client, and I want to point out a usage issue. I don't know how many times I've had to stop and ask myself, "Is that a split infinitive? What the heck was that other thing called?" :-)Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-74138446356715824592013-10-31T17:00:58.460-06:002013-10-31T17:00:58.460-06:00Yes, that would be a helpful post, Dani.Yes, that would be a helpful post, Dani.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-47114700882845258772013-10-31T11:50:17.322-06:002013-10-31T11:50:17.322-06:00Even reviewers and grammar nerds have a hard time ...Even reviewers and grammar nerds have a hard time reading grammar guides from cover to cover! That's why it can be difficult getting reviews for them. Grammar Girl has figured out she can get ongoing publicity with her website, which parses it out in bits and pieces. Every little tip gets shared and links to the book's buy page. Ongoing publicity over a lengthy period of time. Brilliant concept really. That's how non-fiction titles become perennial. The right marketing for the title is half the game. I should blog about that.Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-28064282491325584052013-10-31T11:30:14.346-06:002013-10-31T11:30:14.346-06:00What can I say? Fan of fragments. But literary wri...What can I say? Fan of fragments. But literary writers, with their added attention to poetics, may use them for a variety of reasons. Could be a whole other post.<br /><br />But Catherine—Hi, and welcome to the Blood-Red Pencil!! Good to see my Philadelphia Writers Conference buddy here. I'd guess there might be many fiction writers who would like a quick desktop brush-up on their grammar without having to delve deeply into a thick guide.<br /><br />I'm appositve I would, since I don't know a lot of these terms. ;) Guess I've always assumed that if you once learned them, and you reinforce by reading a lot, that correct usage will simply be at your beck and call when the time comes.<br /><br />Do fiction writers actually take the time to sit and read grammar guides of any sort? I use them for quick reference anyway, not reading. So for those who don't already own such a guide, this might fit the bill.Kathryn Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08371458857187160425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-43037521167628788492013-10-31T11:12:51.535-06:002013-10-31T11:12:51.535-06:00Thank you for clarifying this, Dani. You are indee...Thank you for clarifying this, Dani. You are indeed correct about what I was trying to say. This book serves a useful purpose in some arenas, just not so much in ours.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-89230178994871409562013-10-31T10:42:02.442-06:002013-10-31T10:42:02.442-06:00Sometimes when we receive a book for review, it is...Sometimes when we receive a book for review, it isn't a good match for this blog which is targeted to authors - aspiring and long-published both. I probably should have simply declined and returned your book, Catherine, because as you say, it's for students and business people who could use a brush-up. To that end, in the future you probably would be happier on blogs that focus on students and business writing. Makes sense, right? I'll take responsibility for making a bad call on this one. I think that's what Linda was trying to point out to our readers, and maybe it wasn't as clear as it might have been.Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-39427067425201465042013-10-31T10:15:16.308-06:002013-10-31T10:15:16.308-06:00Thanks for the review, Linda.Thanks for the review, Linda.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-22406520294717382592013-10-31T09:21:50.170-06:002013-10-31T09:21:50.170-06:00Too bad, indeed. Productivity, what a challenge! W...Too bad, indeed. Productivity, what a challenge! When I had the energy to be productive in my writing, I didn't have the time. Now I have the time, but that energy departed some time ago for parts unknown.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-80523427305030392792013-10-31T09:19:16.719-06:002013-10-31T09:19:16.719-06:00Yes, I suppose fragments would work in suspenseful...Yes, I suppose fragments would work in suspenseful narrative. I'm not a frequent reader of that genre, but I do believe you're right about this. Again, successful breaking of any rule depends on the writer's showing a knowledge of that rule in other contexts.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-53286754315420163502013-10-31T08:28:51.338-06:002013-10-31T08:28:51.338-06:00These are the kind of tips that are so helpful ......These are the kind of tips that are so helpful ... too bad this book can't pry me off the couch and make me more productive!Christopher Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03667548312923348614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-64148489662964467352013-10-31T08:20:50.781-06:002013-10-31T08:20:50.781-06:00Thanks for the review, Linda. This book does look ...Thanks for the review, Linda. This book does look like an excellent resource for some writing, but I agree perhaps not for fiction. Although it is always good to know the rules and when and how to break them. :-) Regarding fragments, I agree with what you said about the dialogue and internal dialogue, but fragments also work in narrative sometimes, especially in suspense and thriller. In those genres, there are times that a one word sentence or paragraph is very powerful.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-35053056558373621652013-10-31T07:15:00.552-06:002013-10-31T07:15:00.552-06:00The basics are vital, that's for sure, Diana. ...The basics are vital, that's for sure, Diana. They're the foundation we build on to write great books. You're absolutely right that we do forget. When I went to work for a school district's language arts department in the 80s, I was amazed at how many rules had slipped into the dark recesses of my memory — and I had been an excellent English student back in the day.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-38866859683793269022013-10-31T07:10:23.826-06:002013-10-31T07:10:23.826-06:00I agree with what you're saying, Catherine. I ...I agree with what you're saying, Catherine. I work a lot with ESL folks, and it would be a huge help to them. You've presented the material in logical, easy-to-understand language, and the examples add practical application to the rules you cite. Overall, it's a fabulous reference for anyone who needs to learn or review the basics. I had fun reviewing it and would certainly recommend it to anyone whose need is covered here. Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-62528220588763465012013-10-31T06:47:56.604-06:002013-10-31T06:47:56.604-06:00It never hurts to brush up on the basics. It's...It never hurts to brush up on the basics. It's amazing how quickly we forget. If you want more on powerful sentence structure, you can check out http://www.amazon.com/Story-Building-Blocks-III-Revision-ebook/dp/B007SPPL68.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-41379179131407292012013-10-31T06:24:57.930-06:002013-10-31T06:24:57.930-06:00Hi, LInda,
Thanks for reviewing my book. I wanted...Hi, LInda,<br /><br />Thanks for reviewing my book. I wanted to emphasize that the book mainly targets college students, working adults, and ESL students. If readers need a review of basic grammatical principles, they will find them in this book. I tried to present a practical manual for dealing with issues that come up when they're writing college papers, essay tests, and business reports, or learning English as a second language. I certainly didn't intend the book to address experienced writers although some writers have told me that the book was very helpful to them because they had learned grammar long ago and had forgotten some of the rules and how they applied to writing. I wanted to clarify this because I think by reading this review some writers may not understand my intention in writing this book. I believe that more than a few may find it useful. <br /><br />Kind regards,<br />Catherine DePino<br />www.catherinedepino.comCatherine DePinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00565195745104194497noreply@blogger.com