The Blogathon is the brainchild or WordCount and Freelance Success, which are a couple newsletters that I subscribe to that contain information on the freelance landscape and other pertinent information for people who are independent contractors. The purpose of the exercise it to hone skills and quell the loneliness that can accompany freelancing. While I am not bitten by the loneliness factor, I do use exercises like this to work on my skills.
Recently, I have been doing a lot of work for a group that is more relaxed in their punctuation. While I am a subscriber to the AP style of writing, I don’t always put things where they belong and giving me the option to toss commas to the wind is probably not a good idea. If I don’t adhere (do not) to the AP style, my paycheck doesn’t (does not) come in. Another peculiarity of a publication revolves around the introductory clause. One publication even lets me split infinitives.
I had FANBOYS beat into my head by editors, and when I find someone who doesn’t care if I separate the “but”, I get a little twitchy.
When grammar was being taught in high school, I took mythology. When English was being required, I was taking French. When they signed us up for Literature, I was taking Etymology. When advanced grammar was being assigned, I chose Latin. While I did not like grammar, I do like words, so I naturally gravitated towards whatever class that I could take that I felt would challenge me. Come to find out, grammar challenges me, and I have grammar books next to my computer, and I have few books on my Kindle app. I still mess it up, and I still throw commas on the floor in a fit of frustration.
It doesn’t matter how many books I read, how many tests I take or how many times I have to reread something, I am going to miss a comma or misplace a semi-colon. With that said, the whole purpose of me doing the Blogathon is to take on some of these grammar issues and stare them down. Now, I need to figure out what I am going to write about the next 29 days.
Cheers!
Julie and Blu
What an interesting challenge! I try to use good grammar in my writing, too, although I'm not familiar with the different styles used by various groups. Although I appreciate good grammar, I try not to be a "Grammar Nazi!" :)
ReplyDeleteI, too, freelance a bit. I edit and write technical papers and proposals. I am constantly challenged to edit for conciseness without losing meaning or hurting egos in the process. I hope you find that the June blogging challenge stretches and hones your writing. I always enjoy your posts and have never noticed a comma out of place! :)
ReplyDeleteWow - a blog a day! As Debbie said, "an interesting challenge". When I am not sure about something, I always think back to my high school advanced English teacher, Mrs. Hundley, and wonder what she would do. In a former life, I edited newsletters, wrote articles and environmental reports, etc. so was MUCH more conscious about good grammar and punctuation then. But I still try now although some rules do get thrown on the floor, along with your commas, Julie. Good luck in the blog a day endeavor.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great challenge to hone your writing skills. When I was in middle school, I had an English teacher who required us to write a timed essay every single Friday as a sort of a quiz. It might have felt a bit hard at the beginning of the year, but by the end of the year, all of the practice had made it feel simple. I hope you get some of the same benefit from having to blog each day!
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