Val Dumond

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Publisher

Editor

Consultant

Welcome to my website and my world!

Since I was nine years old, I've been a writer (scratching words on paper). My enjoyment of music kicked in about the same time. It took many years to realize that words without music sound tinny and hollow; music without words feel incomplete.

Words speak to the mind.

Music speaks to the soul.

But ahh, to combine the two - that's the fun!

This site is created to help you put words to your music - and music to your words.

Please poke around... there's lots to learn. Browse on your own path or take a shortcut to:

• articles written by Val - find out what's on Val's mind now!
• the grammar quiz
• my new book, Just Words
• the introduction from my book, Grammar For Grownups
• the first chapter in Grammar For Grownups
• writing tips
• request a presentation

The Joy of Challenge

Challenge to Word Artists

Writers love words and play with them all the time. Here's a fun game for when you're sitting in a waiting room or standing in line with time on your hands. Begin with a letter; add one letter at a time to make a new word, until you reach the target word. (e.g., a-adios: a/as/sad/dais/adios). When you get really good with the target words, see how many more you can add (for example, radios).

1. a - treat
2. u - super
3. o - honor
4. a - flames
5. e - hamper
6. i - detail
7. u - undress
8. o- erosion
9. i - elation

Have fun with this - it's not a contest!