Val Dumond

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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:

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

The Joy of Challenge

The Rest of the Story...

Here's a game I love to play. You can call it "The Next Chapter" or "The Rest of the Story", whichever fits your whim.

Pick up the closing line(s) of your favorite novel, fairy tale, children's story, or movie. Using the same characters, write your story of what happens next. As an example:

• Scarlet O'Hara says, "I'll think of it all tomorrow, at Tara. I can stand it then. Tomorrow, I'll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day."
• Cinderella and the Handsome Prince rode off into the sunset and lived happily ever after. (Note that HP doesn't have a real name.)

Now, begin your story. Change the names if you like, but keep the circumstance the same. Jilted stubborn woman attempts to reclaim her lost love. Or: Young couple in love begin new life together - she a hardworking plain girl and he a handsome rich (and probably spoiled) boy.

Have fun and share the results!

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