Dot Your I’s and Cross Your T’s

I am bad at grammar and spelling and I have a limited vocabulary. So why do I want to write?

I am not particularly gifted at writing. I am gifted with an overactive imagination. It is because of my imagination that I like to write. I can easily create stories in my mind. Transferring those stories to writing is difficult. Editing my writing to improve grammar, spelling, and vocabulary is even more difficult.

Fortunately, for aspiring writers like myself there is an old technology called the Library and a new technology called the Internet.

Let’s discuss the Library first. The Library is a writer’s friend. If you have money, a book store can be a writer’s friend too. I like the Library. It’s free.

The Tulsa City-County Library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification System, which I assume most Libraries do. To learn more about the Dewey Decimal System review the Wikipedia article located at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Dewey_Decimal_classes.

Language is in the 400 Class. The 428 section has books about standard English usage. These books are a great refresher for what was learned in grade school and what I have forgot since grade school.

If you ever need to know what  gerunds, participles, and infinitives are, section 428 in the local Library is a great place to start. Do not be afraid to look at section 428 in the Children and Juvenile books either. Those books are usually easier to understand and also have fewer pages so it takes less time to look up what you need to know.

On the Internet search for “grammar help,” which provides a wonder list of great websites to review for standard English usage. I particularly like http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/ because it has drop down lists where I can select what I want to learn. Take interjections, for example. Wow! There I can use the drop down list and select, “Interjections” and learn all about them.

Writer’s use words and I only know a few. But that will change. I have found http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/vocabulary.htm, which is a great place to begin developing a vocabulary. This web page provides helpful information on increasing vocabulary and also provides links to other great websites to review for building a vocabulary.

So there it is. A way for a writer to become an even better writer. Go to section 428 at your local Library, search online for grammar help, and build your vocabulary.