I try to find out who does what among my readers. In so doing, I’m realizing that more than a handful of freelance, independent, and professional writers mysteriously return to my.com again and again.
And I have no idea why.
But I am sorry for the conspicuous neglect of acceptable syntax.
I’ve decided, in an effort to keep you all from losing your minds, to step up my grammar. This is one of the changes happening around here at my.com this month.
Now, I must warn you: I’m still not clear on the whole semi-colon usage; nor am I sure how to use commas, colons, or dashes to avoid run-on sentences and/or fragments.
I was vastly aware of these shortcomings when I started blogging, and therefore made the conscious decision to toss grammar aside for the sake of creativity. From my first post - hands perched over my keyboard, eyes staring at the blank screen - I thought, “screw it. i’ll never get it right, anyway. if it’s clear that i intentionally choose to neglect grammar, they might think i’m still smart enough to attend to it if necessary.”
(See? Every silly thing here has at least one layer of meaning behind it. If you ever want to know, just ask.)
That being said, thank you for putting up with my writings; I’m honored and humbled that you come back.
(I’ll never admit to the number of times I used dictionary.com or thesaurus.com to bring you this vocabularically impressive post, nor expose the shocking truth as to whether or not I googled “how to use semi-colon” in a moment of panic; because, as we both know, Webster is a writer’s best-kept secret. And an “Honorable Mention” goes to that old dog-eared textbook from Grammar 101.)
(But I will say this: I anxiously await the day when linguistic experts agree on a universal rule for the em-dash!)
34 responses so far ↓
Becca // September 2, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I think you’re a good writer. No worries.
Heidi // September 2, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Syntax- is that another word for sin??
Mandy you do awesome.. like Becca says .. NO worries
Steph // September 2, 2008 at 2:46 pm
what is an em-dash? (sorry, if I am revealing my grammar challengednss ;-0 )
TheSleepingBear // September 2, 2008 at 2:53 pm
“Show me what you write, and I will tell you who you are.”
(Nice to see some IMPROVEMENT.)
@ngie // September 2, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I hadn’t noticed any horrendous or heinous grammatical transgressions. You are cool with me. ::heart::
@ngie // September 2, 2008 at 2:58 pm
How DO you do that heart smiley!!??!!?? (I know
& 
- that is it. I need a tutorial or something…)
mandythompson // September 2, 2008 at 3:04 pm
@ng: google wordpress smiley or something… that’ll give you codes for wordpress comments.
Mr.Bear: THANKS!
Steph: it’s a dash the lengh of an “m”… which is longer than the dash that’s the length of an “n”… they have different functions. WHO KNEW!?!
TheSleepingBear // September 2, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Short dash: Compound words; like “semi-gloss.”
Long dash: This–I think–separates.
Miss Mandy: You’re welcome.
TheSleepingBear // September 2, 2008 at 3:34 pm
(Although WP obviously took out my em-dash.
)
mandythompson // September 2, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Mr.Bear: Yeah - I had to go with the “space dash space” instead of the “dash dash” - it just didn’t work. Sorry.
ripplegirl // September 2, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Hi, just to say, I like the new look:) Like your writing style and grammar (or lack there-of:), and I love putting a comma and then an ‘and’ even though even though I think you’re not supposed to
tam // September 2, 2008 at 4:06 pm
websters???
oooh - thats what ive been missing.
mandythompson // September 2, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Ripplegirl: When I get it figured out, I’ll let ya know!
Tam: Isn’t it ah-may-zing!?!
Sarah Markley // September 2, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Just as long as you don’t transpose “your” for “you’re” (my number one pet peeve).
: )
Seriously, I don’t care about blog grammar.
Crystal Renaud // September 2, 2008 at 5:31 pm
this makes me happy and makes me laugh.
edfromct // September 2, 2008 at 5:49 pm
You are one of the best communicators I have read. That is because you speak from your heart.
I haven’t noticed any grammar, or spelling errors, but than I have no expertise in either area.
The fact that so many readers respond to your post is proof of how effective you are at communicating your thoughts.
Grammer, sammmer, just keep writing from your heart.
melissa1970 // September 2, 2008 at 5:53 pm
i’m still a little irritated that faux-ha isn’t in mr. webster’s book. maybe someday!
fawn // September 2, 2008 at 6:19 pm
The em-dash is my favourite punctuation mark!
mandythompson // September 2, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Sarah: I KNOW. But, I have a bad habit of unintentionally messing that up. Bless my heart.
Ed: You have no idea how much of a compliment that was. Thank you.
brainteaser // September 2, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Hi, Mandy. You write well. And I haven’t noticed grammatical errors in your posts.
How to type dashes:
en dash: alt 0150
em dash: alt 0151
brainteaser // September 2, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Trial:
en dash: –
em dash : —
Hope it works.
annie // September 2, 2008 at 8:32 pm
omg, this: “Now, I must warn you: I’m still not clear on the whole semi-colon usage; nor am I sure how to use commas, colons, or dashes to avoid run-on sentences and/or fragments.” had me rolling. Well done! haha I also hadn’t noticed glaring errors (except that one post about … what was it? A question you wanted to ask but couldn’t remember because something distracted you you got frustrated and thought of 10,000 other things and by the time you remembered you forgot).
applause.
mandythompson // September 2, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Annie: You get me… You really get me.
BrainT: Thank you!!! It worked!
LSOF // September 2, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Grammar…OH NO!!! Nope, see ” creativity” was my excuse…Its still valid!
[ I live next door to an English teacher....not fun. Any day.]
Dr. Tom Bibey // September 2, 2008 at 10:40 pm
You’s doing good ’cause you is what you is and you ain’t trying to be what you ain’t.
Plus your grammar ain’t all that bad neither.
Dr. Tom Bibey
drtombibey.wordpress.com
Cindy Beall // September 2, 2008 at 11:19 pm
You make: me; smile,
alece // September 3, 2008 at 12:52 am
i love you
period
Brandy // September 3, 2008 at 2:41 am
You, my dear, are a great writer! You write so wonderfully on your blog, I’m literally AFRAID to post something on here at the end of the month. If only I could write with half your talent.
love ya lady!
mandythompson // September 3, 2008 at 9:30 am
Bwan: Shut up & write. (
)
Al: Not a period, remember? A semicolon!
Michelle // September 3, 2008 at 11:42 am
I liked your first response, “Screw it!”
mandythompson // September 3, 2008 at 11:53 am
Well, you know me… Just bein’ honest.
alece // September 3, 2008 at 12:56 pm
you’re right.
i like your semi-colon, by the way.
mandythompson // September 3, 2008 at 1:01 pm
kristiapplesauce // September 4, 2008 at 3:20 pm
“Now, I must warn you: I’m still not clear on the whole semi-colon usage; nor am I sure how to use commas, colons, or dashes to avoid run-on sentences and/or fragments.” Oh my gosh…we ARE soul sisters!