The Grammar Vandal

When I walk upstream from my house in the country, there are no billboards to annoy me--with or without grammatical errors.

When I was in Madison in mid-July, I noticed that the metro bus stops around the Capitol Concourse were each decorated with a different theme . One was whitewashed, with the words, “It’s you’re [sic] stop” painted on it. Of the three words, two are commonly misused. The artist got one hard one right, but wasn’t quite up to writing a three-word English sentence correctly. Someone had scratched at the paint and corrected “you’re” to “your” using proofreader’s marks.

The following week, I was listening to Wisconsin Public Radio as is my wont when driving (no, “wont” is not supposed to have an apostrophe since it is the word meaning “habit,” not the contraction). I heard a wonderful interview with the Grammar Vandal. The Vandal is a young woman who takes the step most of us are too timid to take. She perches on ladders, paint brush in hand, to correct the despicable grammar she sees on billboards, ads, signs, and even graffiti. Check the radio web site at http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=5 and look for the July 23, 2007 show titled “Grammar Vandal Goes on Vigilante Comma Crusade” in the archives. The Vandal, Kate McCulley, also blogs. Check her out at http://www.thegrammarvandal.com/

When “make collage” IS your “to-do” list

My 7/21/07 collage, "Through the Looking Glass." Stamps are from Talon Art Stamps, the pictures are from Altered Pages, the paper is from a local art supply store, and the blank book is from Flax Art. This is one of my intuitive collages.

At almost the same time that I began this blog, I learned about art collages and the sub-category of self-discovery collages. I’ve been so focused on words all my life. Now, having a visual, pictorial outlet for my thoughts, feelings, and goals, I’ve noticed a surge not only in my creative output of all types, but also in my ability to make things happen. So many people have asked me not only to post photos of some of the collages, but to explain more about them.

I have all the materials I need to create a collage at hand when I sit at my desk: paper, glue, scissors, X-acto blades, pictures, ink, stamps, and Sharpie pens (as opposed to Sharpie, my dog. He is usually in my office, too, but I don't consider him a collage supply). Sometimes I have a specific theme in mind (focus on goals, don’t take things so seriously, etc.). In that case, I select the materials and paste them in one of my altered books, or to small free-standing cards. Other days I use collages as a predicting device or a way to reveal something within. Those times, I blindly select the paper and main picture, and try to intuit what I need to express. It’s a lot of fun, not very costly, and I’ve been amazed at some of the results.

Here are some of the web sites that give me ideas, as well as provide supplies:

http://www.alteredpages.com/
http://www.okaydave.com/
http://creativelyamused.blogspot.com/
http://www.intuitivecreativity.typepad.com/
http://michelleward.typepad.com/
http://www.artellaland.com/
http://www.flaxart.com/

http://www.talonartstamps.com/Small.html

Recently read: Philip Kerr’s March Violets

This book is the first in Kerr’s trilogy titled Berlin Noir. These books are well-researched novels of life in Berlin before World War II. The main character is Bernie Gunther, a former policeman who does not agree with the policies and laws of the powerful dictator, Hitler. As an independent investigator, Gunther is contacted by a wealthy industrialist to find some jewels missing from his daughter and son-in-law’s apartment, where they had been found burned beyond recognition. Gunther is puzzled why the distraught father is not more curious about his only child’s death. He finds he must carefully maneuver the complex and deadly politics of the Nazis, the SS Defense Squads, the SA paramilitary forces, and increasingly frightened citizens to track down missing persons, killers, and the secrets of others. Neither Gunther nor the reader can be sure who are trustworthy and who are operating under their own rules. As we follow Gunther through the dark days of Germany’s first steps into war, we can glimpse what life must have been like for those living in Berlin at that time.

The book’s title refers to a derogatory term coined by Nazis loyal to Hitler before March 1933, when Hitler officially took over as ruler of the German Democratic Republic. After his overwhelming victory by election, thousands of Germans rushed to join the Nazi party. By May, the party froze its membership, and thereafter referred to those members who joined between March and May as March Violets.

This book is a good read for history buffs, especially those interested in European history in the first half of the 20th century. Those who just like a good read regardless of the setting will also enjoy this.

Building your clip file (publishing credits) through local newspaper writing

My collage "Getting Things Done," created on 7/22/07.

It is hard to get paid for writing until you’ve gotten paid for writing, and it is hard to get published until you’ve gotten published—the writer’s conundrum. Whatever type of writing you want to do, even if you’re an experienced writer hoping to break into another field, you have to build up a clip file and publishing credits to show that yes, people (other than your mother) DO want to read what you write.

One way to do this is through articles and essays for local newspapers. If you live in a rural area, you are probably aware of the weekly newspapers, and free shoppers. Even urban areas have similar items. Sometimes these publications pay—sometimes not. Regardless, they are often thirsty for pieces of varying length, or need a writer on call who can write up the emergency town board meeting or interview the new business owner.

I write about 10 to 20 articles a year for a local newspaper. Sometimes I come up with ideas. Sometimes the editor calls me when she needs an extra writer. I am paid for each article—not a lot, but more than my expenses. And I have a nice amount of electronic clips and newspaper cuttings to show the world that I am a professional writer who can meet deadlines and write about a variety of topics. Read a recent article I wrote on horse—yes, HORSE massage at http://www.dunnconnect.com/articles/2007/07/23/business/business01.txt

Look around your area for publications, and make an appointment to talk to the editor. Come prepared with ideas of articles you could write for the paper. I know an editor of a medical journal who used to write an outdoor column four times a year. He had agreements with five weekly newspapers around Wisconsin. They printed his columns, sent him extra copies for his file, he got his name known as an outdoor writer, and they got excellent writing for the cost of some postage.

Be creative about ways to solve that conundrum and ultimately, get paid AND published. Can’t beat that!

Madison and memories

Shown are my altered textbook, Dynamics, turned to the "Lighten Up" page, my pre-trip pages "Going to Madison with my Sweetie," the latest in my series "Always Dance Barefoot," and two small reminder cards. Click on the photo to enlarge.

Last week I went back to Madison for four days of seeing friends, roaming around the marvelous Capitol Square, eating at restaurants that were new since we moved north, and reveling in nostalgia. Being a writer means you can indulge in this and have it be “work-related” since anything you do, see or think is a resource for your writing. Many people keep journals, especially writers. Your journal can help you get through a bout of blankness, document a great idea for a short story or news article, and provide details that are fresh rather than dredged from the back of your mind.

I have had an on-again/off-again relationship with journaling over the course of my life. I always have a notebook with me for ideas, and filled up several pages while perched on a stone bench on the Square. Since June, I’ve been also using art collage as a means of journaling. I find this foray into non-written expressiveness very satisfying. The photo shows some of the collages I did just before my trip down Memory Lane. In fact, now art collageing has become such an integral part of my day that I felt starved by being "collage-less" last week. We returned too tired on Thursday, but by Friday morning I was surrounded by scraps of paper and ink pads, and have created five new collages since the photo was taken.

San Francisco Writers Conference Writing for Change Conference

The following is adapted from an email from the SF Writers Group:

“The San Francisco Writing for Change Conference, August 23-25 at the Wilsey Conference Center in Grace Cathedral, will devote its attention to nonfiction writers who know their writing can make a positive difference. The conference motto is: CHANGING THE WORLD ONE BOOK AT A TIME. However, the impact of writing for magazines, newspapers, the internet and more will also be explored.

Keynoters will be Rachel Naomi Remen, Kitchen Table Wisdom; Philip Zimbardo, The Lucifer Effect, How Good People Turn Evil; and Riane Eisler, The Real Wealth of Nations. . . .This event allows attendees the all important opportunity to network with these bestselling authors, nonfiction literary agents and eminent editors. Publishing houses (known for publishing important nonfiction works) will be a part of the event including Jossey-Bass, St. Martin’s Press, New World Library, Berrett-Koehler, Ten Speed Press, and more. . . . The SFWFCC begins with a welcome networking reception on Thursday August 23, followed by two full days of classes. The event also includes gourmet breakfasts and lunches prepared with locally grown, mostly organic produce and recyclable serving products! The registration fee of $395 also includes over 40 breakout sessions to choose from; all keynote presentations; and access to agents, editors and publishers. . . .Contact the directors--Michael Larsen and Elizabeth Pomada--at 415-673-0939 or email them at Larsenpoma@aol.com. Please visit the website for more information and easy on-line registration at www.sfwritingforchange.org”

Recently read: Manuel Vazquez Montalban’s Southern Seas

I’m fond of detective stories set in unusual locations, whether that is a dusty town in West Texas or a city in Sweden. It’s nice to be reminded that there are other places for fiction to occur than New York City and Los Angeles. Through reading other blogs, I recently found an author with a number of books that fit the bill. Montalban’s eccentric detective, Pepe Carvalho, eats and drinks his way through his investigations, in a sensitive and atmospheric way that is reminiscent of some of the early Simenon mysteries. Written in 1979 and set in contemporary Barcelona, the author provides not only a good plot, but provides insight into post-Franco Spanish politics, as well as the ultra-rich and the powerful people who nonetheless have unhappy lives and are touched by crime. In this book, a rich businessman searching to recreate the lifestyle of painter Paul Gauguin disappears for months. Everyone, including his wife, assumes he went off to Tahiti in his hero’s footsteps. This seems to not have been the case, once he turns up dead in a building site he had connections with. I enjoyed this book until the end, when I felt the epilogue added nothing to the story and was merely gratuitous violence.