Kevin's Watch

I noticed the other day how seldom I use commas when I write (usually emails or work-related notes). Instead I use what I think of as the "SRD-dash" - which you just saw then.

So, has anyone else noticed that the actual structure of their writing is affected by SRD?

Yes, especially if I've just finished reading one of his books. I use the dash a lot, too. I also use his sentence structure, and get comments that "while it may be grammatically correct, it is difficult to read." Yeah, if you're a fifth-grader, maybe. Alas, I've not read or written anything in quite some time, so I have no direct examples. I tend to absorb everyone's writing style, though... <--lurch really got me using these.

SRD has improved my vocabulary, and that comes across in my English writing. I don't think SRD is at all hard to read, although I had to use the dictionary a lot when I started out. But then, I have the excuse of reading in my second language.

My style is probably most influenced by Tolkien, but I have read a lot, so it evens out.

After reading SRD I tend use alot of ';'.

I think I picked my semicolons from Tolkien. He probably uses them more than SRD.

By the way, I have heard that Microsoft Word's grammar check marks every semicolon as an error?

Yeah, I've run into it doing that, which is when I stopped using them. Haven't use Word since I satrted using dashes, so that will be an interesting experience, especially when school goes back in a few weeks.

You shouldn't believe Microsoft over yourself. I've heard that the grammar checker is not really that good and doesn't understand the subtler points of English, and the people who rely on the spell checker without having a clue about homonyms are a bane of fanfiction.net.

True story about the failing of Word: Once upon a time the Word spell checker claimed that "tottapuhuen" (means roughly "as a matter of fact" in Finnish) was not a real word. It suggested "pottapuhuen" ("potty-talking" which is not only nonsensical but also ungrammatical in a way that doesn't translate; there is a nominative in the place of a partitive) and "rottapuhuen" ("rat-talking") instead. It was quite a while ago, but I don't use Windows anymore.

I now avoid the use of the double dash (--). I thought it was overused in Runes (to the point it annoyed me, especially when it featured at the end and start of paragraphs). Every time I go to use it my mind whispers "find something else to use!"

And I've adopted the SRD-esque mode of "emoticons" (ie: emotions/expressions in <>) when I send emails or write posts in discussion forums. I find that easier to do than using emoticons. And, where in the past some people misundersood what I was saying (my sense of humour doesn't convey very well when written), now that I use <grin> etc people seem to misunderstand me less (and thank goodness for that!)

Nerdanel wrote:By the way, I have heard that Microsoft Word's grammar check marks every semicolon as an error?

Most of the time, yes. But it's the 'fragmented' or 'passive' grammatical errors that drives me crazy.

Loremaster wrote:

Nerdanel wrote:By the way, I have heard that Microsoft Word's grammar check marks every semicolon as an error?

Most of the time, yes. But it's the 'fragmented' or 'passive' grammatical errors that drives me crazy.

Yes, I get "fragments" a lot. I just ignore the grammar checker, unless it's pointing out something obviously wrong, like missing a capital letter or using a comma where I wanted a full stop.

I use the "SRD-dash" frequently - and I won't apologize for it.

Can't say I've noticed my writing influenced. Will just point out that you can set your grammar check in Word to not tell you that something is a fragment, or in passive voice or whatever. It's fully customisable to whatever level you want it to check.

The grammar-check sure is dumb though...I always look at what it suggests, but I ignore it far more often than not.

--A

I noticed I write a lot about half handend leppers lately...but that's probebly just a coincidence.

drew wrote:I noticed I write a lot about half handend leppers lately...but that's probebly just a coincidence.

SRD has affected my writing both in a technical and general sense.
Technically I've learned to use semicolons by observing his usage and I've learned to be acceptably parenthetic in my writing.
More generally, SRD--specifically his comments in the GI--have made me really think about my writing. He's affected the way I go about "learning to write." Rather than pick up a "How to Write Well" book, I'll pick up a novel I like and trust the assimilation to bear fruit. And most of all, I have adopted SRD's "trust your excitment and be wary of those who tell you how to 'improve' your writing" policy.

Honestly, I couldn't tell you what effect SRD's writing has had on mine. I have no doubt that there is one, but I've been reading him for so long that I'd probably have to put any effects under the category of "unconscious influences".

Word's grammar checker: I turned the damned thing off. Those little wavy green lines make me crazy....

aliantha wrote:Word's grammar checker: I turned the damned thing off. Those little wavy green lines make me crazy....

Whenever I have to reinstall word, turning off grammar checker is the first thing I do.

1.) it sucks

2.) if you want to learn grammar, read novels and The Elements of Style and you'll be fine--best of all, those don't have little green lines

Prom_STar wrote:Whenever I have to reinstall word, turning off grammar checker is the first thing I do.

1.) it sucks

2.) if you want to learn grammar, read novels and The Elements of Style and you'll be fine--best of all, those don't have little green lines

You took the words right out of my mouth!

Prom_STar wrote:More generally, SRD--specifically his comments in the GI--have made me really think about my writing. He's affected the way I go about "learning to write." Rather than pick up a "How to Write Well" book, I'll pick up a novel I like and trust the assimilation to bear fruit. And most of all, I have adopted SRD's "trust your excitment and be wary of those who tell you how to 'improve' your writing" policy.

Me too. Occasionally from the GI (I don't usually read it) but also from other sources. SRD's answer to my question in a Q&A session is the thing that prompted me to have a go at writing in the first place.

Whether I'm any good is a different matter, but I feel more complete since I took up writing, and I do the best I can. I'm content with that.

CovenantJr wrote:Whether I'm any good is a different matter, but I feel more complete since I took up writing, and I do the best I can. I'm content with that.

You are good.