My Resolve
This is a designer’s resolve to learn how to write. Better.
In May of 2007 I celebrated a milestone birthday. Totaling it up, I’ve spent all of my adult life and the majority of my teens promising myself I’ll write better. One day. Some day. Some year. This year, (next year?) it’s going to happen. Or I’m going to be embarrassed failing.
I’ve selected the books, the course work, the online and offline resources from an extensive list. I have writing friends who are kindly cheering me along. I even have a personal writing mentor instructing me on all things confident writing. I have my strong resolve. And I’m going to share it here.
Below is a pared down list of the resources I’m using. The full list of resources can be found at A Designer’s Resolve: Resources. The entire book list is at A Designer’s Resolve: Complete book list.
In the hopes that good writing rubs off …
Vocabula
Vocabula has articles, quizzes, advice and more. Highly recommended, a membership has been on my wish list for several years. Vocabula updates monthly so is manageable. Those with a membership have access to the back issues. After all these years, I finally have a membership.
Coursework: Books and CD
Rules for Writers (Spiral-bound) by Diana Hacker
Diana Hacker’s ‘Rules for Writers’ is well designed (a must for a designer). The lessons are short, and there’s Rules for Writers companion website containing additional lessons (over 1000) and resources. In addition, there are Developmental Exercises to Accompany Rules For Writers (by Diana Hacker and Wanda Van Goor).
The Electronic Writing Course
(Goes with StyleWriter)
‘The Electronic Writing Course’ is not as extensive as ‘Rules for Writers’. ‘StyleWriter’ can be used to edit out passive voice and find the odd typo.
Writing Guides: Books
Collins Good Writing Guide (Paperback) by Graham King
The ‘Collins Good Writing Guide’ is the first book I purchased on writing guides. It has an easy writing style, with the information being well layed out.
New Hart’s Rules: The Handbook of Style for Writers and Editors (Hardcover) by R. M. Ritter (Adapter)
The ‘New Hart’s Rules’ will be less for reading from cover to cover, and more for when there’s a specific question to look up.
New Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors: The essential A-Z guide to the written word by R. M. Ritter (Editor), Angus Stevenson (Editor), Lesley Brown (Editor)
I can’t imagine how anyone interested in writing could not have a copy of the ‘New Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors,’ or similar in their bookshelves.
Spunk & Bite by Author Plotnik
‘Spunk & Bite’ is a good balance for the strict (but valuable) ‘Elements of Style’.
The Elements of Style (Paperback) by William I. Strunk
A classic, the ‘Elements of Style’ shouldn’t need an introduction. I’ve read a few opinions on the differences between ‘Elements of Style’ and ‘Spunk & Bite.’ Enough to know I need Spunk for the humorous side of my personality, and Elements for that small piece that isn’t.
The Oxford Essential Guide to Writing by Thomas S. Kane
‘The Oxford Essential Guide to Writing’ is similar to the ‘Collins Good Writing Guide.’ I feel comfortable with both and I’m glad I don’t have to choose between the two.
Writing Advice: Books
100 Ways to Improve Your Writing (Mentor S.) (Paperback) by Gary Provost
This is a very small book, easy to take on a train or a short trip. It comes into its own when a quick browse for advice is needed.
Line by Line: How to Improve Your Own Writing by Claire Kehrwald Cook
From what I’ve read and my experience with it, I believe this is one of the top editing books around. If you have any suggestions I’d love to get them.
On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction (On Writing Well) (Paperback) by William K. Zinsser
I’ve already read this book but it’s so good I’m prepared to read it through again. In my opinion, it’s a must purchase for those who want to write in a clear manner.
The Careful Writer (Paperback) by Theodore M. Bernstein
This is a reference book with over 2000 entries on use, meaning, grammar, punctuation, precision, logical structure and colour. Theodore also throws in humour.
Weinberg on Writing: The Fieldstone Method (Paperback) by Gerald M. Weinberg
‘The Fieldstone Method’ is about gathering and organising the information needed to put together a blog post, an article, or a book. I’ll use it along with Roger C. Parker’s Content Catalyst.
Woe Is I by Patricia T. O’Conner
The front cover says it all - ‘Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe’s Guide to Better English in Plain English. It’s a fun read, just like it’s mate, Words Fail Me: What Everyone Who Writes Should Know About Writing. Both are by Patricia O’Conner
Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark
This is an amazing book. Buy it. If you can’t buy it, go to Roy’s blog (Writing Tools), where he shares the 50 Tools (more below).
101 Elegant Paragraphs — A Vocabula 101 Series Handbook, written by Robert Hartwell Fiske, Editor and Publisher of The Vocabula Review.
I do not have this one yet (a trip to the US is needed) but it’s sure to be an excellent addition to my 2007 library.
Blogs: Grammar, writing and language
Away With Words
Nancy Friedman keeps a steady flow of information on words and usage. Although I’ve had Nancy on my bloglines for awhile, I didn’t ‘meet’ her until recently. I featured Nancy‘s ‘Away With Words’ for this series as it’s a perfect fit. I know I’ll depend on reading AWW daily.
Grammar Girl
The more I read about grammar, the less I believe I know. With ‘Grammar Girl’ I can download podcasts to my i-pod for the long walks I’ll be taking.
Grammar Hell
A mix of humour and enlightenment, with ‘Grammar Hell’ it’s comforting to know I’m not the only one.
News Observor | Triangle Grammar Guide
Pam Nelson reminds me of my high school English teacher. She ‘dishes on language use and misuse and answers questions about grammar and style. After chatting with Pam, I discovered she was indeed an English teacher before embarking on her present profession. Luckily for me, it’s a job that’s going to keep me in grammar line. Pam’s Triangle Grammar Guide was featured during the series.
Successful Blog
Liz is an amazing blogger, juggling many projects (I’m addicted to her Open Mic Night). Amongst it all, Liz keeps a healthy dose of writing advice sprinkled throughout her posts on Successful Blog. I gratefully featured Liz back in June, 2006. I owe a lot to Liz — her enthusiastic energy, her kindness, her support of my aim to learn has helped in many ways. Thanks Liz.
The Grammarphobia Blog
Patricia T. O’Conner and Stewart Kellerman, the real people behind Grammarphobia, are authors and co-authors of two well known books on my final list - Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe’s Guide to Better English in Plain English and Words Fail Me: What Everyone Who Writes Should Know About Writing. You Send Me: Getting It Right When You Write Online has been added to my wishlist. Patricia and Stewart also joined in on a feature during the series.
Poynter | Writing Tools
As you’ve read above, Roy Peter Clark is the author of Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer which I’ll be using on my quest. The blog is … well, Peter says it best In the beginning was the word, then came the book, then came the blog. Like mentioned, if you can’t read the book, read his blog. I’ll do both. Peter was also featured on DWB during the series.
You Don’t Say: Language and Usage
John McIntyre has a similar stance to Pam Nelson, but his comments are tied in with ‘The Baltimore Sun’. John ‘Looks at issues of language and writing, particularly grammar and usage, as they come up in The Sun’s reporting.
Writing, Clear and Simple
Written by Roy Jacobsen, write clear and simple is exactly what I aim to do. I’m a fan of Roy’s so I featured ‘Writing, Clear and Simple’ back in September of 2006.
Online Dictionary
My online dictionary of choice is Dictionary, which also has a thesaurus, encyclopedia and reference section.
Daily Grammar and Word Tips
A.Word.A.Day wordsmith.org
Daily Grammar Tips dailygrammar.com
Word of the day dictionary.com
Word of the day Wordcraft
Still to Purchase
Visual Thesaurus
(helped along by our very own swissmiss, tina roth eisenberg)
As I work with this list I will add and subtract, ending up with what I hope will be an ideal resource for others like myself.
This has been a part of my New Year’s Resolution: Learn to Write series. The index can be found at the Learn to Write: Recap.
Three pages were created from the series - A Designer’s Resolve: Resources and A Designer’s Resolve: Complete book list and this one.
regards,
Catherine (cat) Morley
NO!SPEC
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