A weblog devoted to spurring a conversation among those who use words to varying degrees in their daily work. Hosted by John Ettorre, a Cleveland-based writer and editor. Please email me at: john.ettorre@gmail.com. "There comes a time when you realize that everything is a dream, and only those things preserved in writing have any possibility of being real." --James Salter
Keeping You Apprised Of All Things
I'm a Cleveland, Ohio-based writer, editor and writing coach, with more than 25 years of experience, including stints in Chicago and Washington, D.C. My work has appeared in more than 100 print and online publications, from the New York Times and the Christian Science Monitor to local and regional publications. My work has been recognized by awards (including an Emmy) from four journalism groups.
21 Comments:
Busted.
When I hurry to write, I often mispunctuate (word?) things. I plead guilty to often double apostrophe-ing a word, with a parenthesis instead. I rarely correct it unless *it"s* written for pay.
But then 'gain... if you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at? I love 'em.
Happy New Year, John!
Kim, around here, you get credit for busting yourself (and extra credit for being such an early bird), and I post this only because we all need reminders in this area. So don't be too hard on yourself, especially during this golden week between holidays. A very happy new year to you, Kim.
Oh, finally they've stopped picking on my lover, the semicolon. :-)
Neve Black
That made me laugh, Neve. Your beloved semicolon is safe.
Double busted, a quotation mark** not parenthesis. (blushing)
I love when I get extra credit for being an early bird. Usually it's groans and projectile shoes.
Parenthood does have a way of turning us into early risers.
My son is an editor and he busts me all the time. Sometimes I appreciate it, sometimes it gives me writer's block. I say - when in doubt - use a dash! - over and out -
Kass -
b.s. - I mean p.s. - did you know, there's a British (or maybe it's Australian) style where it's acceptable to put punctuation OUTSIDE of quotation marks? - it's confusing - learned that from another Blogger - "that's right", she said. Looks wierd.
Lucky you, Kass. Is that the son in Nebraska with whom you spent the holiday?
And then I sent out 450 Your Invited! cards...I guess I really meant, "this is Your Invite, get to the gig dammit", I just didn't know it.
Mine must have somehow been lost in the mail, Lou. But seriously, good to see you back here. How goes grantwriting and lobbying the Hill?
Didn't Lynn Truss's second book deal with apostrophes? The one after Eats Shoots and Leaves. It seemed like a particularly British problem.
Good question. The Brits are fussy with their mother tongue, and rightly so, I think. Can anyone who's read it enlighten us?
(@J, re: Lou ~ mine was lost, as well, and I have seniority...)
Actually, I just think it's incredible what a small world it really is!
@John/Kim - this was almost 7 yrs ago for a First Suburbs event; I thought you were both on the list?? jk
@John, it was a successful year for our national organization in terms of an approximate 25% increase in funding (specifically for funding housing rehabilitation) which equates to $35M which isn't bad for team of volunteer nonprofit types hitting the Hill. As prez-elect of the national board, DC will be more often in my future (to my wife's dismay/delight).
@Kim, re: small world, it definitely is, but wrapped in good people.
Glad to hear it, Lou. Or should I say prez.
John - no, the son in Nebraska is a supervisor at Nucor Cold Finish. He's a metallurgical engineer. Thanks for the opportunity to brag. Son #2 is a writer and editor for "The New Era." It's the Mormon magazine for youth. Son #3 is a prosecuting attorney. Wow, that felt good.
Kass, if we can't brag about our kids, life would have far less meaning. So come back and brag as much as you like. That's a really interesting and eclectic group of jobs. And Nucor is a GREAT company to work for, an organization that has almost single-handedly revolutionized and even saved the American steel industry.
John, I want to wish you and your family a very happy new year.You'll never know how much I appreciate all your encouraging and kind comments throughout the year.
The feeling is doubly likewise, Diane. Your gentle, soulful poetry has moved and inspired me all year. And finally meeting you at a writer's conference, where I got the unique pleasure of introducing your work to fellow scribblers, was a special joy. Here's to even better things for our writing and our friendship in the coming year!
It's the Night Owl here (and a day late). The Lynne Truss book title (thanks, June, for mentioning this!) about apostrophes is The Girl's Like Spaghetti. A fun read and great pics! Happy new year, all.
Thanks, Sherri. And happy new year to you too.
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