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Good for you, beachbelle, Darlin'
Its a painless read that will make you think about writing with more meaning and clarity. You write extremely well as it is. But even the best of us should always strive to be better. I think you'll be glad you finally got around to the "little" book.
posted by
notapoet
on March 31, 2004 at 3:31 AM
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Continue to spread the word, Friar,
the secular as well as the spiritual. I've learned more from the "little" book than I ever did from years of grammar instruction in both elementary and high school. And from Strunk & White, its so painless going down!
posted by
notapoet
on March 31, 2004 at 3:26 AM
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I have a confession Notapoet. I have never used that little book
And I imagine it shows in my writing. So I bought it yesterday.
posted by
beachbelle
on March 31, 2004 at 1:26 AM
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Yeah, good advice...
I bought Strunk and White's little book when I was still in college (that's some time in the early 80's). It was so small it can fit in the back pocket of my Levi's (after it is folded, of course). I used to read it in the bus going to school. It helped me a lot in writing my term papers. When I became a school administrator I used to tell my teachers to buy a copy of the book. Some did;some didn't. But those who did buy the book were thankful to me afterwards.
posted by
Friar__Tuck
on March 31, 2004 at 12:45 AM
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Thanks for the advice notapoet. I think I'll do just that.
posted by
Jay9
on March 30, 2004 at 3:09 AM
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Jay9
Beachbelle is right. Its the spellings that vary. Grammatical usage just seems to be following different rules on this side of the pond. In any event, you're on the right track if you reread both books, King's and Strunk's (or Strunk & White) several times. Each time brings new revelations -- new insights. You can't help but absorb much that is useful by osmosis.
posted by
notapoet
on March 30, 2004 at 2:50 AM
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See, that would make sense to me. Otherwise it would be really confusing.
I think perhaps I should return to 'On Writing' and have another read.
posted by
Jay9
on March 30, 2004 at 2:00 AM
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Jay9
I think the same grammar rules apply anywhere but the spellings wil be different.
posted by
beachbelle
on March 30, 2004 at 1:29 AM
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I remember Stephen King mentioning this book in his 'On Writing'.
My question is this: is it suitable for non-americans. He seemed to imply that the grammar rules in it differ slightly to the grammar rules a UK writer would use? Am I mistaken? I didn't realise grammar would be different. Spelling sure, but grammar?
posted by
Jay9
on March 30, 2004 at 1:19 AM
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beachbelle, Darlin'
Thanks for noticing my reappearance. Sometimes its good to be away for a bit, even when its unplanned. But the battle is always rejoined as long as there is breath left. Its what we old warriors do.
posted by
notapoet
on March 30, 2004 at 1:17 AM
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Nice post Notapoet darl
Keep up the good fight.
posted by
beachbelle
on March 30, 2004 at 1:09 AM
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Passionflower, jimmy68, teddypoet
Thanks for reading and commenting. I hope the "little" book proves to be as useful to all of you as it has been to me. I also hope you find the rest of the Bartleby.com site as fascinating as I do. My five-foot shelf buckles under the weight of riches from this sight. And I've barely scratched the surface!
jimmy -- thanks also for your kind words on my previous post.
posted by
notapoet
on March 30, 2004 at 12:14 AM
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always wondered...
I have a more recent version; have always wondered what the original was like...info much appreciated! -T.W.
posted by
teddypoet_TheGoodByeFade
on March 29, 2004 at 11:54 PM
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I'd better get one...
been meaning to for about twenty years...
posted by
jimmy68
on March 29, 2004 at 11:34 PM
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I do own this in hardcover edition.
posted by
Passionflower
on March 29, 2004 at 11:28 PM
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