The Grammar Doctor
People at my Writers’ Workshop want to know why I haven’t been bringing any work for them to critique. They probably think I haven’t been writing, but the opposite is true. I’m writing more and faster than ever, but our circle only meets twice a month. Therein lies the problem.
Although 3 out of 8 of us in the group are bloggers, there’s still some confusion as to what a blog actually is. Some of my attempts at explanations have recently included:
It’s nothing like an email. You don’t zip it out as fast as you think it, spelling errors and all. It’s not like a personal paper journal. Although good writing is always personal, you don’t post what you don’t want to be published. It’s not a self-indulgent to-do-list diary, or if it is it, it better be interesting and well written if you care at all about developing a readership. And finally, if you have the time to read a section of the newspaper or a magazine article on a subject that interests you, then you have the time to read a blog, if you want to.
Most bloggers spend time working on their written posts…but not 2 weeks. And if I did have a blog entry left un-posted for over 2 weeks that I brought to the group for review, it probably wouldn’t be taken serious as a writing form. Will blog writing ever be viewed as something more than a journal entry, just a degree away from an email? I suspect I would get more credit if I said “I’m writing my memoirs” (not in chapters but in posts), rather than admit to other writers that I’m blogging.
It’s not that I don’t still need workshop critique, it’s more that my writing friends aren’t available when the majority of my writing questions come up. It occurred to me recently that what I really need is tech support for grammar. Imagine being able to log onto a grammar site at a moment’s notice, enter a problem sentence or a paragraph and then receive instant editing? Back in the day of typewriters and white-out, a spell-check probably seemed like science fiction.
The physical interactions of writers working together will never be obsolete, but an online Grammar Doctor, a 1-800 grammar line, or even a PBS Writer’s Workshop show would all be welcomed options and helpful to writers in a pinch.
May 23rd, 2005 9:26 am
Hey Coll, Don’t they have grammar check too, along with spell check??
I am still finding out about blogs and find them very interesting to say the least. One of these days…..
May 23rd, 2005 10:14 am
I wouldn’t call it a journal you’re right…not unless you want people to judge you on your intermost thoughts…it’s not anonymous enough..someone knows you somewhere… I think it’s almost harder to write when you write for people you know.
Grammar isn’t usually an issue for me, however, the Thesaurus is a handy tool to have when you need to say “witty” 10 different ways ;0)
May 23rd, 2005 10:39 am
Hello Col,
Try this link: http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors
I find it invaluable (when I take the time to use it) since I too have trouble with grammar and whatnot.
As for the writing on the blog; I think it is a tool used in the work of bettering ourselves; i.e., learning to better articulate our inner thoughts. It’s not easy but we strive to make it look easy. You get an A+
Kathy
May 23rd, 2005 8:47 pm
Blogging is an avenue of expression in which you invite others to read and discuss the contents.
Good grammar and punctuation always make writing easier to read.
May 24th, 2005 12:50 am
I think a 24 hour grammar help line would be a wonderful idea. I know that I definitely could use a service like that. While it is a useful tool, grammar check has its limits.
When I first started my blog I was really amazed at how many people really had no idea what I was taking about. Trying to explain to people who do not read blogs what a blog is can be quite difficult because each blogger has their own purpose.