a writing resource book review by Debbie
I love words. I love their sounds. Their shapes. Their meanings. Weaving words together into phrases, sentences, and more brings me great pleasure. I find joy in simile and metaphor. In alliteration and onomatopoeia. In rhythm and in rhyme.
But I find no joy in grammar.
This may be a surprising revelation. By general disposition, I’m a rules and regs sort of person; so you might think that the ins and outs of grammar would appeal to me. But they don’t. Like many people, grammar makes me anxious: I know that I make a lot of grammatical mistakes, so I figure it’s only a matter of time before my errors are pounced upon as proof-positive that my writer credentials are a sham. This in turn brings out my rebellious side (ah, you didn’t know I had one of those! but yes, I do; inside me is a quiet, small, and well-mannered rebel, but a rebel nonetheless), and I find myself muttering, “Who made these stupid rules anyway!?!”
Enter June Casagrande to the rescue.
But I find no joy in grammar.
This may be a surprising revelation. By general disposition, I’m a rules and regs sort of person; so you might think that the ins and outs of grammar would appeal to me. But they don’t. Like many people, grammar makes me anxious: I know that I make a lot of grammatical mistakes, so I figure it’s only a matter of time before my errors are pounced upon as proof-positive that my writer credentials are a sham. This in turn brings out my rebellious side (ah, you didn’t know I had one of those! but yes, I do; inside me is a quiet, small, and well-mannered rebel, but a rebel nonetheless), and I find myself muttering, “Who made these stupid rules anyway!?!”
Enter June Casagrande to the rescue.
Author of Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies and the recently released Mortal Syntax, June is a funny and friendly companion on the rough and rocky road of grammar. Both of her books are hilarious in a laugh-out-loud sort of way, but both books are also chock-full of highly accessible grammar and usage guidance. By educating and entertaining simultaneously, June’s books help to eliminate the heavy fear factor that so many of us carry into our otherwise enjoyable writing endeavors. I consider June to be a leader in the long overdue movement to take back the streets from the grammar snobs. If she’s successful, we’ll all become better writers in the process.So go take a look at her books. She also has a blog, called Conjugate Visits, which is fun -- and enlightening -- as well.
A couple of quick side notes: Since I’m posting this review on Write Brainers, a children’s writers’ blog, I should probably point out that June’s books aren’t kids’ books. But they are great resources for writers, as well as for the general public at large (particularly anyone who lives in fear of being ticketed by a grammar cop). Also, it probably goes without saying, but humor is very subjective, so what I find hilarious won’t necessarily appeal to every reader. But I for one love Grammar Snobs and Mortal Syntax, and I can’t wait to read whatever June Casagrande writes next.
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