OH YES, YOU WILL!

Just ask my family!  Even a snippet of a conversation can be attributed to a character in a book, and not necessarily the same person who spoke the words.

I've used all sorts of scenarios and "pieces of life" in my books:  a humorous gift, a comment, a location, a funny happening, and so on.  For instance, grandson Asher didn't tell Sarge the doxie that Sarge was a baby, but actually said it to one of his playmates.  The comment just seemed to fit the situation.

I've overheard things complete strangers have said, and I've made mental notes of them, often including such.

Therefore, it's a good idea never to say anything you don't want repeated.  You never know who is listening!  Privacy is a thing of the past in today's world anyway.  Phone conversations, texts, emails, Facebook "private" messages--do you really think nobody else reads/listens??

Big Brother has turned out to be technology!

"The good old days" - I'd much rather have computers and smart phones!

CAREFUL! (AND MY FAMILY KNOWS THIS DETAIL)

 

One of the things I love about writing fiction is that I can pull from all my own experiences, conversations, people I've met or watched, and can even insert a phrase I heard that I found particularly interesting or humorous.  And, I can attribute such to any character I choose!

My books (thus far) are about my family, and although every single detail in them is not factual, much of the events, circumstances, and people are from my life. 

So . . . my family knows I'll use them, and I've heard the grandchildren say some really funny things!
Of course, in THE DACHSHUND ESCAPADES, Sarge the dachshund relates what he sees and hears.  Therefore, everything in the books have to happen with Sarge as a witness, participant, or be within earshot of his doggie ears.  Makes things interesting to do that :).

If you missed my last post, I will be having knee replacement surgery on Tuesday.  I'll return to this blog as soon as I am able to sit properly without too much discomfort.

"Hope your knee gets well soon!"

CHANGING DIRECTION: A DIFFERENT PATH CAN BRING BLESSINGS

A few years ago, we (my publisher Oaktara and I) chose to change the dog's name in my books as well as my first book's title and series name.  Suffice it to say that an individual planned to sue if we didn't, saying he/she had placed a trademark on the name I had used.  Although my dog's name was not really under a trademark, we decided that years of court battles and hundreds of thousands of  dollars in costs were just not worth the battle, although we were not in the wrong.  My book would have been shelved during those years as well.  I've found that the individual in question has also gone after other authors and entities for that same reason, citing that he/she was planning a TV series using the dog's name that I (and they) had chosen.  That TV series, by the way, has never happened. 

GRAMMAR NAZIS, UNITE!

 

The three little words featured on the cartoon are probably abused as much (or more) than any other words in the English language--I see them used incorrectly on a regular basis, along with scores of other errors. A friend on Facebook sent me the cartoon because I am . . . well, a self-described Grammar Nazi. I am proud to be a Grammar Nazi. After all, somebody has to do it! We have to root out illiteracy and shoddy syntax wherever we can, right?

When I've marked such errors on writing assignments over the years, some of my English students have flippantly retorted, "So what? Who cares? It's no big deal!" Well, my dear misspellers, such errors are a big deal to prospective employers who seek to hire, even for entry-level positions. When weeding out applications before tossing those that are poorly written, such people want applicants who pay attention to detail. They reason that if an applicant cannot complete a job application with at least decent conventions (spelling, sentence structure, usage, etc.), then said applicant will not be hired where such skills are expected--or required. For example, a business letter with this kind of error turns off prospective clients, because a company or business is judged as competent or not by its written words. Attention to detail can make a big difference in business growth.

There, their, they're--you'll find another job--maybe.

WARNING!

 

I have been known to include snippets of conversations--even entire scenarios--in my books, so watch out!