A Good Question for Writers

A Good Question

How often have you told yourself you would write a book someday, or a series of essays, or enough poems to fill a book? Keyword here is 'someday.' 

We all have good intentions, but the goal gets farther and farther away as we procrastinate. Yes, we procrastinate. Why don't we get started on those many projects swirling in our minds?

One reason is fear that they won't turn out in reality the way we vision them in our minds.

Another reason is lack of confidence. We don't always trust ourselves to do what we dream about. 

Yet another reason is lack of time.

And one more--lack of discipline. 

Still another--spreading ourselves too thin, taking on too many activities.

Another--we're waiting for the project in mind becomes more clear before we start the first draft.

As you see, there are many reasons that we delay starting a new writing project. Have you been guilty of any of them? I imagine that nearly all of us can say yes to one or more. I've found that the longer I delay getting started, the easier it is to let the project stay as an idea in the recesses of my mind. 

Think about a writing project you would like to start someday. Ah, there is that word again--someday. Our photo today asks a good question. "If not now, when?" It seems a good one to put on a piece of paper or cardboard and post in your working space where you'll see it on a daily basis. Let it nag you into writing that first draft. 

If not now, when?" A very good question.

 

Is Grammar Important Or Not?

Today's poster tells us we are judged by our grammar, then gives a list of common errors people make when writing. What is your thought on that statement? Are we judged by the grammar we use? Does it matter if we are careless to the point of making many grammatical errors when we write? Is it alright to make one or two now and then? 

I readily admit that I am one of those people who catch grammatical errors when I read and cringe just a bit. Sometimes more than 'a bit.' I was the fortunate student in grade school and high school who found grammar easy to learn. English, both grammar and literature, was the subject in which I excelled. Straight A's. That's not bragging; it's a fact. 

However, I struggled mightily in every math class I took in high school and college. And I do mean 'struggled.' So, I understand that some people had a hard time learning all the grammatical rules and that some just plain didn't care. 

If you're going to be a part of the writing world, the grammar part is pretty important. Even if you were one of the strugglers in every English class you took, it would be to your benefit to review the rules of grammar on a regular basis. Buy a basic grammar book and keep it close to the place where you write. 

There are also websites that will check your text for grammar and spelling errors. I googled to find a couple. One is here and called Grammar Check. The other one, Instant Grammar Check is here. There are many others that you can try until you find one you like best.

Editors and publishers do find grammar important and so should we, as writers. Some readers will gloss over grammar mistakes while others will find them immediately and utter a tsk, tsk! (That would be me.)

I'm not saying that I have never made a grammatical error. I know I have but not a great many. We should all aim for error free grammar if we want to be published and build a bevy of readers. 

What do you think about the importance of grammar in our writing? Are we judged by our grammar as the poster says? Do you agree or disagree with me? I'd love to hear from anyone who has an opinion on this topic.