This Straight In—Backing up Your Work

One of the major sins of writing on the Internet is … writing on the Internet. Kind of like what I am doing here: Typing into the little box on my screen instead of bothering to open Word or Word Pad or whatever software venue I have designed for writing. Yet, it is so tempting.

In 2005, I started a blog. It was a very good blog. Four – six times a week I published articles, thoughts, pontifications, poetry—whatever the muse led me to publish. My readership grew from zero to 100s and I found that, as my readership grew, so did my blogging. Almost all of it was published straight onto the web. The tool provided was adequate and it allowed me to work from any computer that had access to the Internet. So, I could begin a blog on the office computer and finish in the kitchen. It was handy and required no cutting and pasting or uploading.

Then my blog was wiped out. It was an administrative error; a mistake on the host platform’s part. And, I received an apology. But that didn’t change the fact that in a single moment, four years worth of thoughts and words was erased forever.  In addition to wiping out years of my life’s work; the loss of all of that material seriously effected my enthusiasm for blogging. To this day, over a year later, I am still not the blogger I used to be.

As tempting as it may be to blog directly online, it is never a wise thing to do. Back up your work. Keep copies of everything you write on a format that is retrievable by you. Your words are your history; they tell a story of your development as a writer/blogger/person. Don’t let them slip away.

En and Em—the Dashes

So yesterday, I am QCing for a friend. “Don’t correct grammar and punctuation,” he says. “Just compare against the original docs to make sure I’ve not missed anything.” Oi! How my red-pen hand itched. And I’m not even an editor.

So, I ignored the non-hyphenated phrases that should have been hyphenated, the hyphenated phrases that shouldn’t have been, the strange use of commas where no comma should be, etc. and so forth—and I was okay—shaky, but okay. Except! Except! The constant use of the en dash;  a poor little dash originally designed for other purposes which was used throughout the document as if it was an em dash. Now, while technically, it is a matter of preference, in my house, the traditional use of en dash versus em dash is still preferred. Further, it is my opinion that, unless you’re a publishing house or a famous author, you too should stick to the traditional, recognised uses of em and en dashes.

En Dash

The en dash gets its name because of its length; about the same width as the letter “n”. It is used in a couple of ways.

1. To display range; numeric, distance, contrasting values, etc.

   “I read pages 1– 22 of  the assignment last night.” 
   “The London–Houston flight was 10.5 hours long.”
   “I’m reading a book that explores the mother–daughter relationship.”

2. To act as a hyphen in a compound adjective. For instance, “non–administrative-level user”. An en dash is used between non and administrative, while a hyphen is used between administrative and level. Compound adjectives are rare, so don’t sweat that particular use too much.

If you’re using Windows, you can quickly insert an en dash into your document by using Alt + Num 0150 (num = on your number pad). In Word, Ctrl + Num – also works; or you can use “insert symbol” from the menu. Unicode and ASCII codes can be found with a quick Google search.

Em Dash

Like the en dash, the em dash gets its name from its width; a near-equivalent to the typeset letter “M”. One of my favourite punctuation tools for informal writing, the em dash can be used several ways:

1. To signify an abrupt change in thought or tone. “I was thinking earlier that—you know what, it doesn’t matter.”

2. To set apart parenthetical elements. “I am proud—and perhaps a tad bit arrogant—over the fact that I’m adopted.”

3. To separate a final thought or added extra from the main part of a sentence. “Michael laughed; but then, he knows how I am—constantly paying homage to the smallest of God’s creatures.”

4. To serve as a replacement for a colon, semicolon or parentheses:

   “I need a few things from the shop—cat food, milk, tea, and bacon.”
   “I generally do the washing-up—his job is to dirty the plates—before I sit down and relax for the evening.”

Traditionally, when using an em dash, you don’t place spaces between the words and dash; however, there are some factions who have started doing so. Me? I prefer no spaces. The same goes with the en dash. As I mentioned earlier, some publishing houses prefer to use the en dash—with spaces—to the em dash for typography reasons. But, I would recommend to the regular folk that you stick with tradition—at least until after publication of one or two highly-acclaimed works.

The Windows code for an em dash is Alt + Num 0151. If you’re in Word, you can also use Ctrl + Alt + Num -. As with the en dash, other codes can be found by Googling.

So there you have it, the en dash, the em dash and how they are used. Go ahead—have fun with them!

Writing, the Internet, and the Losing of a Craft

Where are we headed?

I admit it; up until a few years ago, I was spoiled—as a writer, as a woman, as a human being. Then it all went away and I fell with a huge, “hrmphh.”  After the grand fall, and the ensuing two-year nap on the pavement, I decided to pick myself and attend the task of getting my life back on track. So far, things haven’t gone to plan. Someone has changed the world while I wasn’t looking—or perhaps I was so blinded by blessing that until now, I couldn’t see.

Anyway, I got up, and decided to get back to living—and for me, that means writing. At first, there was no work. It was understandable; a two-year nap followed by a 6,000 mile geographical cure can easily result in making work difficult to find. So, I got one of those job thingies where they expect you to get dressed and leave the house. It was nice—I was like a boss over a bunch of people even—but it didn’t last. Then I got another job thingy. And it was okay too. But, I am a writer. It’s not just what I do, it is who I am.

Eventually, things took a turn for better. I found a misplaced friend; a colleague of mine had started her own design business. So I asked her if she knew anyone and voila, in an imitation of the 1970s Faberge’ commercials, (she told two friends and they told two friends), I found work. Not the kind of writing I was used to, but it was writing. I was chuffed; at least at first.

From the beginning, it’s been a culture shock.

I am used to writing for big corporations. I am also used to being appreciated. Like I said, I was spoiled. But this new stuff is for the Internet—loads of effort, no recognition type stuff. The focus is on quick turn-around, SEO saturation, and word count. I write for people who believe that for $3-5 per article, I should be providing well-researched, quality articles. They believe that $170 is perfectly reasonable pay for a 10,000-word e-book complete with research, quotes, case studies, and in-depth content. And, when I take these assignments, I let them believe it—no, I reinforce their belief by agreeing to deliver it. But I need to eat, so I say nothing; at least, not to their faces. But I’m saying something here and now.

It’s a travesty.

When did the ability to communicate not only effectively, but with pizzazz become such a taken-for-granted thing? Why is it that my ability to paint a picture, convey a meaning, evoke an emotion, or compel you into action with my words now demands less than if I were scrubbing your toilets and emptying your rubbish bins?

I am slowly coming to terms with the way things are now and, as I am slowly reconnecting with old corporate friends, I am beginning to get writing projects that will allow me a life beyond just survival. But even if things are getting better for me personally, I must still protest the prostitution of my craft.

I wonder…

Is the Internet, with its instant gratification offerings, ruining us? Have we forgotten how to appreciate real talent and real effort? Where is all of this impatience getting us? Even in real-life, people don’t even take the time to be courteous anymore. What is happening to us? For all of the doors the World Wide Web opens, what is the price in humanity do we pay for waking through?

Multi-Lingual? British VS American English

When I lived and worked in the USA, I had an ongoing project for Kellogg Brown and Root that required writing in British English. So, I purchased an Oxford English dictionary and set about learning the differences in spelling. I quite enjoyed it; I liked the look of the “s” versus “z” (zed) and felt that the “ou” spellings added glamour to my work. Then, I moved to England where (ironically, I work primarily for a US client who requires things be written US English) I discovered that the differences in the language go far beyond what most of us realise.

The biggest differences of course come from the spoken form of the language—the vernacular. In England, with every 10 miles you travel, you find a different dialect. Take here, for instance. I live in Sunderland; we speak Mackem. A few miles down the road and you find the Sand Dancers of South Shields. And then, of course, there are the Geordies of Newcastle; who speak in the most recognized of the North East accents. In essence, these people speak with a British accent influenced by an English accent influenced by a North East accent influenced by a local accent; all similar, but yet very different. And while in the US, you do have regional accents and local dialects, it simply cannot compete to here.  The US is too new; not enough years cultivating little pocket groups of society completely cut off from others to achieve the levels of difference.

But that is the spoken language. So, what about the written one? Well, it’s simple—even in written form; the nuances of difference between American and British English go beyond a few spellings. The very way certain words are used, sentences are formed, and ideas are expressed can give you clues as to whether your writer is American or British (or, like me, has adopted a strange mixture of both).

I realise now that all of that lovely British English writing I was doing way back when was actually lovely American writing with British spellings. And that, all of the lovely US English writing I am doing now may come across too British if I don’t pay attention. And I wonder, does that make me multi-lingual? I suppose, in a small way, it just might.

Language is a fascinating thing. How we’ve formed symbols and assigned them sounds which, when put together, convey meaning. How by placing strings of these meaningful groups of symbols together, we can convey complex ideals and thoughts.  How in different parts of the world we have created different symbols to express similar ideas.  And how, by learning each other’s symbols we can communicate across the World.

English may be just one of the many languages spoken and written in this world; but I know, having lived in two very different English-speaking countries, that even in one language the levels of nuance—subtle and not-so-subtle differences—are enough to keep someone like me interested and eager to master it for a lifetime.

The Absense of Words

One of the most important things about blogging is keeping your blogs flowing; a stagnant site is a site that is soon forgotten and passed over. This is why I have always stressed that, when the muse is on, you should be writing extra entries to keep for those days and weeks when you’re too busy to write or just can’t find the words. But what happens when your words leave for longer? What happens when, after you’ve pulled everything from your stash, there is still nothing to say? What do you do then? Quit?

I ask this question because for the first time in my life I find myself in a continued state of “nothing to say”. Not only here in blog-land, but in the real world as well. Communication feels like a struggle; interaction with others’ is like sandpaper on my skin. Even journalling—the oasis where I  allow my thoughts to flow freely, regardless of grammer, spelling, or even making sense—feels like more than I can manage.  I am without words. And, oddly enough, I find that I like the silence; and am not overly eager to break it. But what becomes of a writer when words cease to be their friend? Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve fought depression all of my life, but this isn’t depression; this is a black dog of another kind. This is unexplored territory.

It is my hope that writing this will shed some light into my world; light that will guide my words back home. For, if I am not a writer, then what am I? If I have no words, then what do I have? Frightening questions that are, as yet, unanswered.

Take care dear reader…. until we meet again in the glorious light of words.

Ode to the Dictionary

I simply can’t live without a dictionary; can you? For me, it’s the Oxford English Dictionary; partly because I write in both American English and British English; partly because it is by far the best dictionary out there. I also love the Oxford Thesaurus (no offense to Roget’s). In fact, the two volumes sit as brothers on the shelf above my desk.

To me, owning a dictionary is part and parcel of being a writer. Sure, there are plenty of online resources out there: Your Dictionary,  Merriam-Webster, The Free Dictionary, to name a few. Most of them offer articles and word games as well as dictionary and thesaurus services. And, at least one or two should be bookmarked into any word-lover’s browser. However, as convenient and informative as they may be, they do not take the place of a real dictionary. For one, online sites don’t make good portable reading material for soaking in the tub or a Sunday lay about on the sofa. (Yes, I read my dictionary.) For another, we do not always compose at the computer; or at least many of us don’t. Besides, reading a dictionary itself can be inspirational; many a paper or article has been inspired by an unusual word I’ve found while perusing my Oxford. (See?!)

Owning a dictionary also makes you feel more like a writer. Remember how we talked about using props? Well, a dictionary is a prop as much as it is a tool. There is something about owning one— having it sitting right there, along with your Strunk & White (The Elements of Style), dearest pen, notepad, and favourite poetry—that is, in itself inspirational and perhaps even motivational.

Like perhaps no other book out there, the dictionary is a tale of evolution; how the words mankind uses to communicate with one another have changed and evolved. Dictionaries both past and present tell us a story. They provide us with opportunity to explore a beautiful and fascinating tale—one very worthy of our attention.

So dear reader, if your love for words is like mine; if your passion for writing burns inside like it does in me; I would urge that if you do not already own a dictionary, to go out and buy one. If you own one, but it sits dusty and unused on a shelf, take it out, open it, read it, sink into the words. Finally, if you are like me in your love of the dictionary, I’d like to hear about it. How has owning a dictionary enhanced your life? What pleasure does yours bring you?

Until next time dear reader; keep writing.

Just Listen

I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen. ~ Ernest Hemingway

 

I am quite the anti-social butterfly these days; I feel like I have nothing to say—more than that, I feel as if I don’t want to say anything.  I am listening for the sheer sake of listening; and while I am contemplating what I hear, I have little desire to comment upon it. Yet I shall do so here, because I believe it is important.

Please understand, this is not writer’s block; there isn’t this sense of urgency to write something nor am I being faced with a blank canvas on which no inspiration draws itself. This isn’t lethargy. No one has borrowed the salt and forgotten to bring it back. In fact, I find myself to be quite content. What it is, is a need to isolate; to be alone and quiet—to listen to the world as it passes by me, the unseen observer.

Times like these are wonderful; yet they are always met with a certain level of guilt. As an active part of the hustle-and-bustle crowd for years, part of me wants to get up and move. “This kind of quiet isn’t productive; you need to be continually writing if you want to be successful.” Yet, at the same time, the bigger part of me is saying, “Hush. Relax. Enjoy the peace. True success is contentment within one’s self, not the trappings that make us comfortable.” And it is true; these days my writing is more about self-fulfilment than earning a pay cheque. Although I must admit, when the writing also provides heat and an occasional Chinese take-away, it feels a wee bit better.  Still, what is a Chinese take-away to peace of mind? What is more important; the new car and big house, or the ability to sit and be with yourself, alone and inactive, just listening to the world? Which is more fulfilling? Which brings with it a sense of self? When you die, which will you truly regret having missed out upon?

I am writing of this today because the need for quiet; the desire to listen without comment is part and parcel of what Musings of an Eclectic Mind is all about. Sure, we need the writing tips and tricks; the rules of grammar are important if we want to be taken seriously. But we also need to remember that life is not always about work. Sometimes it’s about silence. Sometimes it’s about listening.

Shh; can you hear that? It’s lovely, isn’t it…

Un-Swine Flu ~ The Importance of Planning Ahead

It began mid last-week; that achy feeling, the headache, the inability to think clearly, the need to sleep more than usual.  I knew I needed to blog, but I just couldn’t find it in me. Why? Flu—of the non-swine persuasion. Only now am I beginning to recover. Unfortunately, in my time of illness, nothing has been published to either blog. This is my fault; because I neglected an important rule in blogging—always plan ahead.

Things happen. Life happens. You get ill, you get worn down, you become uninspired, you need a break. But if you’re a blogger, you can’t afford to let your blog sit while these things take place. So what do you do? You have blogs at the ready.

I know people who sometimes publish two or three blogs in a single day and then go for weeks without publishing anything else. While I understand the desire for instant gratification, I consider this bad practice if you’re trying to build and maintain readership. Blogs needs to be published in a consistent, steady stream—using the feast or famine approach can be detremental to your readership.  And even those of us who do not blog for money need our readers, if for nothing else than the ego boost they provide (which is what keeps us blogging).

So today, dear readers I urge you to do as I say, not as I have done! Plan ahead. Take advantage of those days when the words are flowing to write an extra blog (or two) to have on hand for those days or weeks when writing isn’t possible.

Now then, I’m off to search for a box of tissues; this one is empty. Keep writing!

We Can’t all be Susan Boyle: The Power of an Effective Opening

Well I finally did it. I clicked the link that would take me to the most popular YouTube video of the moment; Susan Boyle singing “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables in “Britain’s Got Talent“. Even though I knew what was coming, when Susan first appeared on screen, I balked. I know that had I not known what was coming, I’d have stopped watching. Her opening was that bad. Fortunately for Ms. Boyle, she had a captive audience and her voice far outshone her awkward and uncomfortable entrance. Unfortunately for us, we do not have that luxury. No one is going to tie our readers down and force them to read on. If our openings are as ineffective as Ms. Boyle’s was, then we are not going to get read.

No matter what we are writing-novel, short story, or article-we have but a few moments to get our audience there with us. If our opening lines are not enticing enough to convince our reader to continue, then it really doesn’t matter what else we write. Even in the online world of skimmers, where bullet points and numbered lists become important because few take time to read the whole thing, we still need an effective opening to pull them in.

So how do we do that? Well fortunately, there are a few tried-and-true formulas to help us. Here are just a few methods for writing an effective opening:

• Make a bold statement. A bold statement is like a challenge to continue. Throw down the gauntlet and see what happens.
• Ask a question. People are intrigued by questions; so ask one and then give them the answer. They’ll love you for it.
• Provide a definition. This can be Webster’s, Dante’s, your uncle Joe’s, or yours.
• State a fact. Give your readers a piece of information and then expand upon it.
• Use figurative language. Open with a metaphor, simile, onomatopoeia, personification, or alliteration. But be careful; figurative language is wonderful for creating an image or relaying a point, but poor use of it is confusing and can lose your audience altogether.
• Open with a quote. It doesn’t have to be a famous quote. You can quote the butcher, your Grandfather Harris, or even quote yourself. Just give the proper credit for whatever quote you’re using.
• Set the scene. Give your readers a visual; provide the setting and then tell the story that goes with it.

If, after reading this list, the idea of writing an effective opening feels uncomfortable or daunting, I would suggest this exercise: for the next few pieces you write, take time to ‘try on’ a few different methods. Using three or four of those mentioned above, write a series of opening paragraphs. Which one fits the best? Which method feels the most comfortable? How is the tone of your article affected?  Does it enforce your point?

By doing this a few times, you will become more comfortable and confident in your ability to write an effective opening-thus making the opening more effective. And remember, your opening doesn’t have to be the first thing written. In fact, it may be that you write your opening last. Whatever you do, don’t let the fear of not being able to create an effective opening keep you from writing. It will happen. I promise.

In conclusion, writing an effective opening is essential whether you’re writing a novel, a short story, or an online article. And since here in the real world, we can’t hold Simon Cowell captive and force him to listen; we must ensure our first impressions are spot on. Your opening words set the stage; if you want people to stay in their seats, then you’d better make them good.

 

Going Back to School: Welcome to Twitter High

When I was younger, I used to dream about going back to high school; not as me ‘the forgettable wall-flower’, but as me the confident, secure, and successful woman. Then I grew up a bit more and did what anyone with a forgettable school experience would do; I forgot about it. Okay, so maybe I blocked it out (geez, semantics!). Anyway, now I find myself smack dab back in the centre of the same experience; like a weird deja vu. Only now I’m 46, not 16. And, it’s a bit freaky-deaky. The source of my pain? The Twitterverse.

Seriously, don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. The popularity contents, the attention-seekers, the great divide that exists between the ‘jocks and cheerleaders’ and the ‘kids without dates to the Prom’. There are suzy-homemakers and lads from FFA (Future Farmers of America). There are the foreign exchange students and the bookworms. There are super-geeks. (I am beginning to believe that I have a repressed love for pocket protectors.) There is even the gay best friend. It really is like being in school all over again. But for me, except for the gay best friend, those years sucked! So I am left to wonder; 1) is this a sign that I am not cut out for the Twitterverse or 2) I am finally getting my long-ago wish—in a really weird sort of way? I am thinking… neither.

Perhaps you’re thinking, “Why does she care?” Or maybe, “What does this have to do with writing?” I care because in my world everything has to do with writing. Twitter isn’t just bad deja vu; it it’s also great resource and learning experience and that is good for my writing. But Twitter is also bringing out my insecurities; and that’s not good for my writing.

So what am I going to do? Frankly, dear Scarlett, I just don’t know. For now, I’m going to continue to tweet. I’m going to continue to follow links to incredible blogs written by incredible writers who incredibleness makes me look like a 2nd grader trying to compare herself to the valedictorian. And, for now I’m going to try not to let it get to me. I may be uncool, but there is coolness in being uncool; and that’s something I didn’t know in high-school. So maybe it’ll all work out. Maybe. Whatever the case, for now, I’m there.

See you in the lunch room.