Posted on 07/31/2012 2:09:12 PM PDT by Jeanette Pryor
Just barely following this thread because I'm half-asleep, but try this technique.
Once you've composed 'whatever' read it word-for-word backwards. You will find grammatical and spelling errors you never knew you were capable of.
Old school stuff.
No word processing program can program this stuff in.
FWIW, I've written some good stuff on a manual typewriter and 'modern' word processing software and have a software development background.
But I'm not "writing" now, am I?
Your fake jocularity and sarcastic reference to my “thoughtfulness” are reminiscent of the CHP who began in the late ‘70’s or so to wish motorists to “have a nice day”. They didn’t mean it and neither did you, and it’s truly silly.
You may indeed thank me and other critics of your writing style and content as you hone your ability. You do have some natural talent, but the piece you wrote came off as pretentious and nasty and contained too many errors to be taken seriously. You should take better care when you are putting out an example of your work for people to read. It bespeaks slovenly habits and intellectual laziness.
The flack that you received here is a good thing for you. Had you sent this to someone you were trying to impress with your fine writing style and biting wit, they would have just filed it in the trash can and moved on to better writers. That can be a life or death moment if you are looking to sell something.
Take your detractors seriously and turn that critical eye on your own work. Beside making you a better writer, you’ll also be able to make something positive out of what could have been a negative. He who laughs last and all that.
My experience at Lidia's was terrible and I am as free as any person to write of this. It is true that people would be turned off by my mistakes and I am duly humiliated by them. I go through my life with the desire to improve and without the thought of being perfect.
You must be a very unkind person to assume that when people speak, they are insincere. Hence my husband's observation. If you were sincere and open with people, you would not judge me to be sarcastic when I was actually trying to be polite and have an adult, reasonable conversation with you.
Thank you for this advice.
I am sincere and do mean that.
Thank you for this advice.
I am sincere and do mean that.
My wife watches all the food shows on TV, so when the Lidia’s opened in KC she insisted we go.
This review is, if anything, much too kind.
Since Jenny’s closed years ago, if you want Italian food in Kansas City, go to Garrozzo’s.
Or come to our house, where Monica’s lasagne has become the family’s Christmas treat.
Well bless your heart.
Forgive me if I interpreted sarcasm where none existed. In this online environment, the only clues are history and context, both which would lend the impression that sarcasm was intended.
Perhaps I was a bit harsh in my criticism of your writing, but if it makes you a better writer you are the victor after all.
Become a better editor. If you are going to make allusions to Greek mythology, have some knowledge of it first. Buy a style guide. Read it and use it. Don’t rely solely on spell-check/auto-correct features. Before submitting writing to an audience, have someone read it critically for you(Hint: not your husband).
Take responsibility for your mistakes and move on from humiliation to excellence.
I agree. And reading internet posts isn't enough. Ya gotta read books -- lots of them.
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