I Just Wanted to Tell You...

I've been working my way through the archives of the Grammar Girl podcast.  Although I am not a writer, I am now writing.  A lot.  And I am striving to be a better writer.  It is odd that I am so into writing because I have spent plenty of time avoiding it.  I was a business major in college and often picked classes solely because I wouldn't have to take an essay test or write a term paper.  I briefly attended Sociology classes at Temple University when I was pregnant with Scott.  I was so overwhelmed with the amount of reading and subsequent writing that I couldn't make it through the first semester.  I have been known to procrastinate for months before finally writing thank-you notes because I didn't know what to say.

All that being true, I love a well written book or article.  I can't stand when a writer misuses a word or makes a grammatical error.  I know the rules are lax in the blogging, stream of consciousness forum.  But, none the less, I want to write well.  I used to edit and re-edit every e-mail and letter I wrote at work, especially when I worked with my parents at the Day Care.  I didn't want a mistake to take away from the content of what I was saying.  Nor do I want that to be the case now.

I have learned some valuable lessons so far by listening to the podcast.  I have to go back and edit my posts to reflect those things.  One item that I am hopelessly guilty of is starting e-mails with "I just wanted to tell you..."  As Grammar Girl said, "Ugh!  Just say it."  That whole introduction is irrelevant and not even right, as she explains, "it uses the past tense (i.e., I just wanted) as if I wanted to tell him yesterday, but I'm writing today and, even though I'm not so sure anymore, I'll just say it anyway."  How perfectly stated.  I love Grammar Girl and I am not the only one.  Out with it straight away, I will have to remind myself.

And on that note, I want you, readers, to tell me if I did anything wrong.  Please.  You can comment or e-mail me.  Please help me to fix any errors and also to learn to be a better writer.  Thank you for your help.

I just wanted to tell you that.

Comments

[JohnBelle]

Hey Lori,

I think...oops! You write very well, no worries there! Robin is at our house four nights a week - I see her maybe three of those nights. I could ask her to give you a few pointers. She's in the Master's program at Harvard for literature with a focus on editing. Let me know.

John

[Dee]

Hope all is well in your new world! Still trying to comment. I'm told it's my browser so I am trying from work (can't make that a habit though!)

-Dee

[mjshapiro]

I just wanted to tell you...oops...stop worrying about your writing skills! You are really quite good and have an incredible voice. You should worry about adding the links we discussed so more people can appreciate and read your blog! xxxoooxxxooo...me

[Barb Laurenson]

You really are very funny! Thanks for a great night's reading.