While I do have a penchant for the writing rules, my love for them is not the primary reason why I write about them. I write about them because they are a means to an end. More effective writing and better communications are found in knowing the rules.
Those two things aren’t found solely in knowing the rules; they also are found in breaking them. In order to break the rules, though, you first have to know them. They have to be dear to your heart. You then have to know why you’re breaking a rule. You have to know how to do it in a way that creates the desired effect.
It’s for that reason I write about the rules. I write about the tricky words. I write about punctuation marks. I write about tenses and types of verbs. I write about them because they are important to me and my writing, and they are important to you and yours.
Glad someone is taking this on…we need writer police. Now that @Jennwhinnem and @shakirahdawud are MIA from blogging, you’re my next go to! Keep on, Erin!
Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Well, I don’t know if I’m a police officer when it comes to the rules. I generally don’t call out people on their blogs, but I am the go-to person for grammar and punctuation questions. 🙂
timbo1973 I think I learned more about language when I started to study poetry, especially translated poetry. Paul Celan – who, interestingly enough wrote in German – has had a huge impact on my understanding of language and rules.
Hi Erin, I would mind a call-out via a direct message. I love when people do tell me my mistakes so I can learn. Or for crazy typo’s. No matter how much I re-read there will always be a typo somewhere 🙂
lisabuben290 I’ll have to remember that. I truly don’t police people’s articles. I may make a note to myself – “I should write about such and such.” – but I rarely call out errors. 🙂
It’s hard, if not impossible, to catch all the errors. That’s true even if you have a dedicated proofreader or editor.
timbo1973 German? Right on. There is some serious structure there huh?
Erin, we can all use help with writing. Even the writers. The best think about sharing knowledge is that it allows us to learn to get better at what we do. I am being a Timmy (I hope) by saying I do love your site as a resource for improving the ability to write right. Right?
Clearly I need help. Ha.
rdopping I would consider you a Timmy.
Thank you for saying you consider this site to be a resource. That’s what it’s supposed to be. It provides helpful information and, for even more information or help, people can work with me.
The funny thing about writing about the writing rules is that I’m reminded of how much I don’t know. I need just as much help as any other writer.