Grammar-licious: Making Grammar Fun - February

Let's talk about gerunds, those identifiable words with –ing tails. The recipe for a gerund is simple: take a verb, attach –ing and then use it as a noun. Baking is not required. Did you catch that? Baking is not required. A gerund is born!

How simple was that? And that’s all there is to it. Okay, well, not so much. The rule is: every gerund ends in –ing, but not every word that ends in –ing is a gerund.

A gerund always functions as a noun, so you’ll find them as subjects, objects, and subject complements.

Examples are always great, with some details, so here you go:

As the object of a preposition:
Before brushing her teeth, she washed her face.
After reading the details, he could make a decision.

Object of a verb:
She loves playing in the mud.
He enjoys climbing up the tree.

Subject of a verb:
Writing is difficult.
Winning is fun.
Since she was four, dancing has been her passion.

Subject complement with a linking verb:
Her complaints were making him crazy.
His favorite hobby is drawing landscapes.

After a preposition (a verb after a preposition must be a gerund):
Please water the plant before leaving.
Wash your hands before eating.
We are sharing information about writing.

This month’s recommended grammar book is: The Deluxe Transitive Vampire: A Handbook of Grammar for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Doomed by Karen Elizabeth Gordon.


I like finding ways to remember the ‘rules’ and hope you can find something helpful. It’s my hope the monthly grammar techniques and usage examples will make grammar a lot less frightening and potentially enjoyable (can you imagine?) for you.

If you have grammar topics you’d like to see covered, please leave a comment or email me!

(originally published in The TWC Spotlight for December,2008)

Grammar-licious: Making Grammar Fun - January

Let’s dive into the pond with the less/fewer differences. Less is used with mass nouns and fewer is used with count nouns.

A mass noun, also considered an ‘amount word’, is something that is measured in bulk – clutter, water, snow, milk, syrup, etc. A count noun, also a ‘number word’, is something you can count – books, pens, cards, paperclips, oranges, etc.

Examples to follow:

There are ____ kids in class than on the roster.
Can you count kids? Yes. Use fewer.

There was _____ snow this year than last year, so the kids had _____ snow days to make up.
Can you count snow? No. Use less. Can you count days? Yes. Use fewer.

Try these:

____ grapes to eat [Can you count them? Yes.]

____ flour to bake with [Refers to bulk as written. Cups of flour can be counted.]

____ frozen meals to thaw [Can you count them? Yes.]

____ tomatoes to slice [Can you count them? Yes.]

____ orange juice [Refers to bulk as written. Cups of juice can be counted.]

____ coffee to make [Refers to bulk as written. Cups of coffee can be counted.]

____ cups of lemonade [Can you count them? Yes.]

____ water in the lake [Refers to bulk as written. Gallons of water can be counted.]

____ fish for dinner [Can you count them? Yes.]

____ clutter on the table [Refers to bulk as written. Piles of clutter can be counted.]


Exceptions. There are always exceptions, aren’t there? Even though you can count hours, dollars, and miles, you want to use less.

Examples:
We traveled less than twenty miles.
The reception lasted less than two hours.
We made an investment of less than a hundred dollars.

If you refer to individual units, then use fewer. Example: I have fewer than six state quarters.

You know how there’s usually a lane at the grocery store with the sign “10 items or less”? It sounds better than “10 items or fewer”, doesn’t it? “Less” is grammatically wrong because you can count items.

So, the general rule is: if you can count something, use fewer; if you can’t count it, use less.


This month’s recommended grammar book is: Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty


I like finding ways to remember the ‘rules’ and hope you can find something helpful. It’s my hope the monthly grammar techniques and usage examples will make grammar a lot less frightening and potentially enjoyable (can you imagine?) for you.

If you have grammar topics you’d like to see covered, please leave a comment or contact me!

(originally published in TWC Spotlight for November, 2008)

Grammar-licious: Making Grammar Fun - December

Good/well confuses the best of us, even though the word choice is about usage. All we need to know is that good is an adjective and well is an adverb. There, that was simple. We just plug in ‘good’ when we need an adjective (to describe a noun or pronoun) and ‘well’ when in need of an adverb (to describe a verb). Easy, right? No? How about some examples?

Spot is a good dog. (adjective describing subject ‘dog’)
Break down the sentence: Spot is a dog. What kind of dog? (adjective) dog.

She trained Spot well. (adverb describing the verb ‘trained’)
Break down the sentence: She trained Spot. How (adverb) did she train him?

This is a good sandwich. (adjective describing subject ‘sandwich’)
Break down the sentence: This is a sandwich. What kind of sandwich? (adjective) sandwich.

I can’t taste the sandwich well because I have a cold. (adverb describing verb ‘taste’)
Break down the sentence: I can taste the sandwich. How (adverb) can I taste the sandwich?
[less confusing to make it into a positive statement]

If it’s still confusing, try substituting “healthy” or “in a good manner” and if either fits, then so will “well.”

Follow these examples.

The coffee tasted well/good this morning.
The word supports the subject, ‘the coffee’s taste’, therefore, an adjective.
Correct: The coffee tasted good this morning.
(Maybe the coffee can taste ‘healthy’, but that isn’t what is meant.)

The batter is looking well/good.
The word supports the subject ‘batter’, therefore, an adjective.
Correct: The batter is looking good.
(Sure the better can look ‘healthy’, but that isn’t what is meant.)

She skates well/good.
The word supports the verb ‘skates’, therefore, an adverb;“in a good manner” also works.
Correct: She skates well.

I don’t feel very good/well.
The word supports the verb ‘feel’, therefore, an adverb; “healthy” also works.
I don’t feel very well.

He did a good/well job.
The word supports the noun ‘job’, therefore, an adjective.
He did a good job.

She did the job good/well.
The word supports the verb ‘did’, therefore, an adverb; “in a good manner” also works.
She did the job well.


This month’s recommended grammar book is: English Grammar for Dummies by Geraldine Woods.


I like finding ways to remember the ‘rules’ and hope you can find something helpful. It’s my hope the monthly grammar techniques and usage examples will make grammar a lot less frightening and potentially enjoyable (can you imagine?) for you.

If you have grammar topics you’d like to see covered, please leave a comment or contact me!


(originally published in TWC Spotlight for September, 2008)

Grammar-licious: Making Grammar Fun - November

Let’s chat about the who/whom conundrum. It’s common to find “whom” in formal speech and writing, and “who” in informal speech and writing, but let’s take a step toward using each term correctly.

The best trick I’ve found is that when deciding between ‘who’ and ‘whom’, reword the clause using ‘he’ or ‘him’. If ‘he’ is appropriate, then ‘who’ will be the correct word; likewise, if ‘him’ fits, then ‘whom’ is correct. (Note: You can use ‘she’ and ‘her’, but by using he/him, you can key off the ‘m’ in ‘him’ and know to use ‘whom’.)

Follow these examples.

I met the writer who/whom wrote this story.
Reworded: The writer wrote this story. He wrote this story.
Correct usage: I met the writer who wrote this story.

She is the kind of person who/whom I admire.
Reworded: I admire him.
Correct usage: She is the kind of person whom I admire.

Give the gift to whoever/whomever is standing at the back door.
Reworded: He is standing at the back door.
Correct usage: Give the gift to whoever is standing at the back door.

Give the gift to whoever/whomever you find at the back door.
Reworded: You will find him at the back door.
Correct usage: Give the gift to whomever you find at the back door.

The play is about a girl who/whom wants to become an anthropologist.
Reworded: The girl wants to become an anthropologist. He wants to become an anthropologist.
Correct usage: The play is about a girl who wants to become an anthropologist.

Have you met the employee who/whom Mrs. Sniffles hired?
Reworded: Mrs. Sniffles hired him.
Correct usage: Have you met the employee whom Mrs. Sniffles hired?

The waiter who/whom you spoke to no longer works there.
Reworded: You spoke to him.
Correct usage: The waiter whom you spoke to no longer works there.

To who/whom it may concern.
Reworded: It may concern him.
Correct usage: To whom it may concern.

Who/Whom needs a ride to school?
Reworded: He needs a ride to school.
Correct usage: Who needs a ride to school?

Who/Whom did Sheila hire to replace me?
Reworded: Sheila hired him.
Correct usage: Whom did Sheila hire to replace me?

Do you know who/whom will speak at the writer’s conference?
Reworded: He will speak at the conference.
Correct usage: Do you know who will speak at the writer’s conference?

Oh my, who/whom can I trust with all this money?
Reworded: I can trust him.
Correct usage: Oh my, whom can I trust with all this money?


This month’s recommended grammar book is: Painless Grammar by Rebecca Elliott, Ph.D.


I like finding ways to remember the ‘rules’ and hope you can find something helpful. It’s my hope the monthly grammar techniques and usage examples will make grammar a lot less frightening and potentially enjoyable (can you imagine?) for you.

If you have grammar topics you’d like to see covered, please leave a comment or contact me!

(originally published in TWC Spotlight for August, 2008)

The Future of Books?

Pat Bertram's blog hosted a great discussion, written by Dale Cozort. I'm posting the link here to try and start the discussion in our Wednesday chats.

Please read the first post at http://ptbertram.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/future-of-books-the-problem-of-filtering-part-1/ .

I'll be bringing this up in chat for the next couple weeks! You might want to do your homework. ;-)


Audrey

Pandora

We've all read enough to know not to ever open Pandora's box, but what about listening to Pandora's Radio?

Wouldn't it be great to listen to a radio station that played only the songs you love, commercial-free? Well, now you can have that.

Pandora Radio (http://www.pandora.com/) gives you just that. You create an account, then give Pandora examples of some of the bands/artists/songs you like. Their database finds other songs that are similar to what you like, and they start playing them for you.

You can rate each song played with a thumbs up or down. Thumbs down, it will never be played on your station again. Thumbs up, they will keep it in rotation and look for more of the like.

Over time, Pandora becomes an expert on what music you like. They are always sliding in new songs, to see if you like them. I usually do.

If your musical taste differ according to your mood, Pandora can handle that too. Create different stations for your different moods, and adjust them accordingly. For instance, I have three stations in my account. My rock station plays Nickleback, Hinder, Matchbox 20 and the like. When I'm in blues mode, I switch to the station that plays Sonny Landreth, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Kenny Ray Shepherd. For mellow moods, I get Indigo Girls, Son Volt and KT Tunstall.

Pandora is free, advertising sponsored. The more I use it, the more I love it. You can even start off by listening to one of the stations I've created. Just search for phoenix743, and tune in.

Only the music you want to hear, commercial-free. Who could ask for more?

Pandora Radio, http://www.pandora.com/ Tune in and try it yourself!

Audrey

Ed Easley

Our regular chatters all know Ed Easley. Ed has rubbed us all the wrong way from time to time, but he's still got "something" that makes us give him another chance. Even when we want to slap him up alongside the head.

Ed has been MIA from the chatroom for a few weeks now, and Becca went on a recon mission to find out why. It seems our Ed is having a rough time.

He had brain surgery last month. The report says he was healing nicely until he got a staph infection in the surgery site. In cleaning out the infection, Ed suffered a small stroke.

He's currently in ICU, but healing. His wife, the long-suffering Patty, says they are hopeful for a full recovery.

For those who haven't had the "pleasure" of chatting with Ed, you can get to know him a bit from his blog, http://edeasley.blogspot.com/ .


Audrey

Are We Ready to P-A-R-T-Y!?!

The "Show--Not Tell" Virtual Book Tour is almost a wrap and we've been gearing up all month for the "Launch P-A-R-T-Y!" for debut author Jordan Dane. Be here Sunday March 30th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern US time. (The virtual bar will be open, but feel free to BYOB.) The place: The Writer's Chatroom, of course!

Since March 5th, "newcomer" Jordan Dane has been the guest of honor at 7 virtual book tour stops sponsored by The Writer's Chatroom. She's been open to all questions and has shared personal and business information with anyone who stopped by. The last stop on the tour is hosted by Glenn Walker, founder of TWC, on March 29th at http://www.monsura.blogspot.com/

There will be prizes galore up for grabs at the P-A-R-T-Y. Every person who interacted with Jordan at the VBT stops, except for the host at each tour stop, is eligible to win one of FIVE gift cards to B&N bookstores. (If the hosts stopped by at other tour stops, they are eligible and entered there.) The more comments left by each person, the more chances to win. So far, Tina M. Russo holds the record for having the most entries. Her prize for that? Just click on her name/hotlink to her website. It's all about the marketing, folks. (Tina has a very nice website, btw.)

More opportunities to win prizes:
The Browse Inside Link: http://tinyurl.com/28nd9x
Jordan's contest page: http://www.jordandane.com/contest.php

And ... there will be even MORE prizes given away during the P-A-R-T-Y!

Jordan sold SIX books to Avon/HarperCollins before the first one, No One Heard Her Scream, was released on March 25th. She has back-to-back releases in April and May for the next two! And, she's currently at work on her next series.

Don't know about you, but I wannabe like Jordan! I want to learn just how she managed to do that, how she markets, how she plans her stories, how she sells them, and how she plans to get to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list! If you're a Jordan wannabe like me, check out what she had to say at the VBT stops:

Billie Williams at http://printedwords.blogspot.com
Linda J. Hutchinson at http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com
Kim Richards at http://kim-richards.livejournal.com/
Lisa Haselton at http://lisahaselton.tripod.com/reviewsandinterviews/
Cricket Sawyer at http://www.Cricketshearth.blogspot.com
Diana Castilleja at http://dianacastilleja.blogspot.com
Renee' Barnes at http://msqtpi.livejournal.com/
Glenn Walker at http://www.monsura.blogspot.com/

See you at the "Launch P-A-R-T-Y!" on March 30th at TWC!

Linda J. Hutchinson
TWC team member/moderatorFreelance writer/copywriter
www.lindajhutchinson.com

Do You Wannabe Like Jordan (Dane, that is)?

We’ve certainly had some great comments during each stop of the Virtual Book Tour for Jordan Dane.

Why was she chosen to be our first vic … I mean featured author? Because she has a very professional website. Because she has a very professional blog. Because she has a presence on MySpace and other networking sites around the ‘Net. Because she attends every writer’s conference she can possibly get to to network with successful writers, editors, agents. Because she promotes herself as a professional writer.

She isn’t resting on her laurels after having sold SIX books to Avon HarperCollins before the first one hit print.

If you’re like me and wannabe like Jordan, take a look at how you’re promoting yourself. Does your website look like a novice put it together? Do you remember to blog more than once a month? Do you network with other writers?

Or do you do like too many very good should-be-published writers … and hunker down in the corner pretending that you’ve done everything you can and the publishing world and all its agents are against you?

Think about that as you visit the next stops on The Writer’s Chatroom’s “Show—Not Tell” virtual book tour featuring debut author Jordan Dane. Jordan and Avon HarperCollins are offering opportunities to win great prizes all along the tour.

Next up:
March 19 Cricket Sawyer at http://www.Cricketshearth.blogspot.com
March 22 Diana Castilleja at http://dianacastilleja.blogspot.com

Give yourself every advantage to learn from this marketing dynamo—who just happens to also be a very good writer—and read the interviews and comments at previous stops:

Billie Williams at http://printedwords.blogspot.com
Linda J. Hutchinson at http://reviewhutch.blogspot.com
Kim Richards at http://kim-richards.livejournal.com/
Lisa Haselton at http://lisahaselton.tripod.com/reviewsandinterviews/

And don’t forget to come to the “Launch P-A-R-T-Y!” on March 30th! There are prizes galore!