It gives the writer/speaker credibility.
Without it, they are just incredible. No … wait …that doesn’t sound right.
This is the winning
answer to my Why Grammar Is Important Contest, which was provided by the writer
of the Felt Family blog.
Her answer is not
only hilarious; it’s also inspiring, which, by her logic, means without one of
these:
It follows, then, that
invent means to be upset about
something but hold it in.
Inverse means lack of poetry.
Intense means mellow.
And intreats is the house you don’t want to
visit on Halloween.
Also, I have a guest post over at World Weaver Press that discusses the difference between good writing and grammatically correct writing--and where the twain meet.
What's your definition of good writing?
Also, I have a guest post over at World Weaver Press that discusses the difference between good writing and grammatically correct writing--and where the twain meet.
What's your definition of good writing?
15 comments:
I love the way words weave in and out of logic. Congratulations to Nancy (Felt Family)!
I think I would happily use the words invent and inverse and intense like that. I found the winning entry to be pretty good too :) I also like "Grammar, the difference between helping your uncle Jack off a horse, and helping your uncle jack off a horse."
oh ****, it's September, huh? i need to get to class...oh phew, yeah, don't do that anymore, i'm a blogger now.
you've just blown my mind with the fact that intense means mellow. i love words, but i've lost all faith in them now.
good writing is writing which destroys your previous concepts about life. also, it doesn't hurt if your book sells a billion copies, and you can retire from the blogging world...
The English language is a confusing one. I'm glad I was born learning it or it would be a great inadvantage.
I'lll check out your post.
My definition of good writing is knowing how to play with the words so they tickle your brain. It's not just correct mechanics, but putting them in pleasing order. The right metaphors and similes help too.
Is this definition too long?
Love that answer!
Good writing pulls me in, makes me believe, makes me think, makes me wonder. :)
I felt happy for the Felt Family until it finally sunk in that I did not win the free book. Then I felt animosity toward the Felt Family.
I put a contract out on the Felt Family, which felt pretty good until it finally sunk in that my contract with the Mafia cost me more than a new copy of 'Missed Periods' would have.
Then I felt rather stoopid, and figured the Felt Family probably deserved the free book because they are smarter'n I am. Even their dog is smarter'n me.
Then I felt anger toward their dog, and asked the Mob if I could switch the contract from the Felt Family to the Felt Family's dog, but Rocco told me, "No substitutions! It says that on the menu, right under the heading 'Rocco's Italyan Restrant'."
And here I was already counting my chickens before they hatched (i.e., my free book before it had been won), and was all prepared to write (with my "great, distinctive voice") and post a review of 'Missed Periods' on my blog, which would have been read by all 5 of my 'Followers' and purchased by probably none of 'em.
Oh well, your loss . . .
Boo-Hoo-Hoo! (If it's "your loss", then why is it I who be cryin'?)
I know! Have another contest for a [*sniffle*] free book and give me another chance to win, please! I [*sniffle*] will try even harder next time if you--oo-Hoo-Hoo! Oh, I can't go on...
~ Stephen
'Loyal American Undergro-oo-Hoo-Hoo!'
I am a new follower. I really love your posts. It helps me a lot. You are really making English a fun subject to learn.
_genskie_
Good writing is interesting and important
Not just a piece to read and to entertain
but also leaves an information for the reader to learn. :)
_genskie_
nice post thanks for sharing...blessings
Good post.
I'd say
Senses- feeling, seeing, tasting, hearing, smelling the action.
Since music is my passion, I'll answer in terms of good lyric writing...
For me, it's usually someone who shows a mastery of the words (construction of the lyric) and then shows he (or she) has something to say that goes a little beyond the normal pop tune.
Some examples?
Dylan-in a class all by himself
Tom Waits, Warren Zevon-both pretty darn good. Waits puts you smack dab in the dimly lit bar (or on skid row) with his imagery (and check out "Step Right Up" for an example of how to contstruct a lyric).
Zevon did dark humour better than anyone, but sadly was only known for "Werewolves Of London." Check out his debut album and his final album. And his song "My Ride's Here" is also a classic. He even mocked his own impending doom.
And ladies, if you don't own Tori Amos' "Little Earthquakes," I'd recommend it highly. She did not sustain the songwriting like the first three gentlement I mention, but this album was a gem.
LC
Oh gosh. That answer is AWESOME! It took me a second and then I was ROFL.
And for me, good writing? Writing I can read without thinking. ;)
Thank you, thank you for the book!! I'm very excited to read it and then encourage everyone I know to buy it! I really don't know what I'm more excited about: winning this contest or that you, the most funny grammar queen I know, said my answer was "hilarious"! I'm all sorts of giddy right now. :)
And yo, Stephen. You took out a contract on my dog? Get in line!
Congrats to the winner! :)
Hm, good writing. For me, it's about not being pulled out of the story by confusing sentences. I really admire simple, easy sentences - like Hemingway. SO easy to read; so hard to write.
Is an intern something a bird has eaten?
Good writing is invisible (uh-oh, now I'm thinking about... actually that works) so when a character speaks or thinks it SOUNDS like her, if there's pretty prose it doesn't jump and down like a spoiled child demanding attention. It flows, it takes me on an emotional ride without making me motionsick.
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