Author Archives: Val Dumond
To Spell or Not To Spell?
Ah, that is the question! Realizing the difficulty in finding “rules” for grammar in a nation built on the diversity of its citizens, the problem of spelling is particularly annoying. What may have survived as a spelling rule in England’s … Continue reading
Posted in Grammar, Spelling, Val's Views, Writing Tips
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Style Kiboshes
Some years ago I read something like the following in a magazine for writers. The author is a newspaper editor, writing to the staff reporters. It points up my contention that the writing “rules” are so ambiguous as to be … Continue reading
Posted in Ambiguous "Rules", Common Errors, Language Rants, Val's Views
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Writing Tips
Ah, this is an easy one! What can one writer give another writer as a “tip,” something useful to apply to their chosen pursuit? (You think you chose to be a writer? Doesn’t work that way! Writing chooses you. And … Continue reading
Posted in Val's Views, Writing Tips
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I Wanna Be a Rock Star
Do you know how many top-notch singers are never “discovered”? How many talented athletes never make the pro teams? How many talented writers earn a good livelihood without ever putting out a bestseller? When I am with young people, I … Continue reading
Posted in Publishing, Val's Views, Writing Business, Writing Success
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Writing Contests and Other Scammy Stuff
Oh dear oh dear oh dear (the words of my Irish grandmother)! How many ways can writers be teased out of their hard work? Let me count the ways. To begin, there are contests. To end, there are contests. Writers … Continue reading
Posted in Common Errors, Val's Views, Writing Contests, Writing Success
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Wordbaskets
Didn’t think you could weave a basket with words, didja! You may be surprised how many things you can do with words. Here’s how to do that weaving thing. Think of an adjective (something like “hot”). Then think of its … Continue reading
Posted in Val's Views, Word Games, Writing Tips
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Words Can Create Warmth or Freeze Out a Listener
By repeating words they become reality. Or do they? I don’t believe I’ve ever seen “black” skin – very dark maybe, but not black. You’re in your car, stuck in a snowdrift in the middle of a blizzard. The engine … Continue reading →