It's that time again when one unleashes ones' insecurities to the world about writing. The Insecure Writer's Support Group was created by Alex J Cavanaugh and it has grown by leaps and bounds! Now I have joined this even though I am not a writer.
I have not written a book although I think about writing my mom's life story and one day, I will. I do not feel I have a very inventive mind when thinking up great words that my brother or my ex can use. They can argue a point using their hifalooten words (like that old time slang-not sure if I spelt it right) which leaves me trying to come up with some rebuttal but all I can say to them is "oh yeah!?" I then have an image of slapping them like they are Larry or Curly and I am Moe.
I tend to use the same words over again like Beautiful, Sweet, amazing and then there is this...:). No not this ...:-) but this ...:) I like my smiley face because I don't want to offend people and I want people to know I am talking in jest. I have had a couple of people, in my past send me very nasty e-mails ( none of you- it was before blog land) who became quite offended by what I wrote. One thing we can't write is how we hear these words in our heads.
My grammar probably sucks and I am OK with that as I am not writing a book but I do try to put the commas where they should be and not have run off sentences which I often can do because I just keep writing as I talk and you know what they say...it can be annoying to read something that one keeps writing about nothing...Ooops I did it again:)-see!
On another note, what idiot in the schools across North America thought it was justifiable to stop teaching cursive writing? Yes, we live in a day and age when kids text and never write the actual word out but do these numnuts in charge actually believe this is beneficial for kids? Why are kids being taught to be morons? Teachers must adhere to the curriculum, so they don't have a choice. I just don't understand this at all and the person(s) who made this decision should go back to school to learn the basic A,B,C's. since they checked their brains at the door.
So that is my little rant but at least I did not put it all in some shorthand crap. Oops there I go again:) Have a great day everyone!
i agree, we are raising a bunch of idiots. many parents won't put their own devices down, nevermind have the gumption to monitor the overuse of their kids... i am a loner in my own house, but i still do my best to curb their screen time. cursive writing is going the way of the arts - we are losing our minds! and gaining what? ah, well. good rant!
ReplyDeleteThank you about my rant:) Yes, I think cursive writing is important and should be maintained
DeleteA friend was telling me about a young man who had to 'sign' his college application and did not know how to write his name. I was appalled. None of my sons has good penmanship but at least they learned how to write. We are just 'dumming down' to the lowest common denominator in our society.
ReplyDeleteWe are and it is still needed
DeleteCursive writing is pretty low on the list of priorities kids should be learning today. I don't really care if my kid can learn to write pretty "G's" and "J's", I would much rather see proper grammar courses, actual TYPING classes, physical education, responsible sex ed, and how to be healthy social beings.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, what ARE they teaching to kids in school these days?
Hahahaaaa! How true! Kids have no clue how to write a proper sentence and I feel if they actually physically wrote things down it would help them more. People still need to take notes when in University so they still need to write fast and printing won't do.
DeleteI think any book you write would be highly entertaining and just as worthy as any other. And if you need some help, freelance editor here. ;) So they are basically not teaching handwriting? I have to admit, I hardly hand write anything any more, but it should still be the basis to start from... not "txt spk".
ReplyDeleteThank you so much:) Yes I will keep you in mind:) We may not write much any more but it is still important I feel
DeleteBah, grammar is what editing is for haha
ReplyDeleteI know how, but I barely ever use cursive writing, sign my name, that is it. maybe give them a run through, but I doubt it needs to be fully fledged taught any longer.
I think if they actually wrote it would help their spelling, grammar and keep things in their head more. When they need to take notes, printing won't do. When they need to read something that was hand -written, it will come in handy. I think we actually forget how much we need it until it comes up
DeleteI hope you do write a book about your mother because I would buy it. I remember the stories you wrote about her from time to time; what an interesting life she had. I remember when I was in 1st grade before we learned cursive writing how many days we practiced just making circles and tracing the over and over again. Realizing it now, I think it was to help build up fine motor muscles. I do think cursive writing should be taught and encouraged, especially for those that want to be doctors one day because we know what they say about their writing.
ReplyDeleteI love how you write. Never change your usage of :) I tend to do the same myself.
betty
Thank you-yes my mom has led quite the life for sure. I never even thought of the motor skills. I hope it comes back because they don't even know how to sign their name which is needed
DeleteI hate cursive.
ReplyDeleteEr...but thankfully my wife uses it all the time, so she'll get on that with the kids :-P
And you should write your mother's life story! I'd love to read that!
My handwriting is not the cleanest for sure but it needs to be taught so people, in the future, can read letters etc... from family from times gone by. Even to sign ones' name is so important. One day I will write about my mom
DeleteI'd love to read your mother's story. I know anything you write will be awesome.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet for you to say, it really is. Thank you
DeleteYou know, you've already started writing your mom's story with some of your posts. Hint, hint.
ReplyDeleteOne of these days, the powers that be will bring back cursive writing. The powers tossed out teaching phonetics, then brought it back a decade or so later. But, I don't know if it got thrown out again.
I hope it comes back-I feel it needs to
DeleteI have a smiley face addiction, too. They're so useful!! They say, I know I'm being sarcastic but don't worry, I still love you! Etc. Although, they probably don't belong in a memoir, huh? Sigh. Too bad.
ReplyDeleteSmiley faces are needed to make sure people know things are not to be taken so seriously
DeleteI agree with you about cursive and yet, I've caused my own problem with it. Because I think it is so important to learn how to type, I taught Gonzo to type at a very young age and it's like pulling teeth to get him to write versus type. His signature looks like a serial killer (actually, he is a cereal killer...but that is another tale).
ReplyDeleteI used to be a cereal killer especially with Count Chocula. Both are needed, not one or the other-they should both be taught in school. In fact how to type is important so one doesn't end up with carpal tunnel
DeleteA good many adults don't know how to write cursive, and one fellow - in a line of work that involves legal issues, uses a 'script' font to sign his letters and documents. Hello?
ReplyDeleteDo write that book about your mom's life...
Oh my-that is sad that he can't even write his signature. I have no words for that.
DeleteI think you do well with words. Maybe you could get a co-author to help you?
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine you offending anybody. Those must've been some really sensitive souls.
I haven't yet moved brain into active gear for writing about my mom but it shall come. Oh I have offended people but I can say now they were looking to be offended.
DeleteI really enjoy your style of writing Birgit.....I always read every word...with some blogs it's just a skim through .....so when you feel ready your Mums story will be a lovely read.....so go girl xxxxx
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much! This was nice to read:)
DeleteI agree with you about the cursive writing thing. It saddens me that future generations who want to research local history will have to have old letters read to them by a specialist trained in cursive writing.
ReplyDeleteI find your writing quite readable. It's better to write using simple words but with feeling than to throw around a lot of big words for no real reason. Simple words often make for stronger writing.
http://myantimatterlife.wordpress.com
I agree about the writing and research. So much has been hand written and what are these kids supposed to do? Thank you about my writing as I like the basics:)
DeleteDumbed down students will be easier to manipulate when they are dumb adults. The effects are already appearing and it is frightening.
ReplyDeleteIt is so very sad isn't it. Look at all the people liking Trump
DeleteDon't even get me started on the US educational system. Math idiots, history idiots, grammar idiots and now kids won't even be able to write in longhand?
ReplyDeleteHahahaaaa! You go girl!! I agree with you so much. I listen to a young student from Europe (really doesn't matter where) and they are so eloquent and know so much and then I look at the same age of students in North America and it is sad. Who are making the decisions for teachers to teach? Why do we have car loads of idiots?
DeleteEducational system? Which one? Since I can remember, the U.S. as "experimented" with how kids learn so much that I don't recognize any of the curriculum anymore. Of course, at the university--yes, I was there to see this--some high school graduates couldn't write a sentence, let alone a cohesive essay. I'm with Karen.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree so very much. It needs a complete overhaul. What is sad is how expensive it is to go on for further education whereas in many parts of Europe it is free and better!
DeleteThe no cursive thing........very scary.
ReplyDeleteIt is
DeleteI overuse the same small set of words too! I'd probably have run on sentences but instead my brain freezes when I try to write anything that read like a business document. Once again your post for this made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteI often have brain freeze and I hate business documents especially when they use words like mortgager and mortgagee blah blah blah:)
DeleteI overuse the same small set of words too! I'd probably have run on sentences but instead my brain freezes when I try to write anything that read like a business document. Once again your post for this made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteI overuse the same small set of words too! I'd probably have run on sentences but instead my brain freezes when I try to write anything that read like a business document. Once again your post for this made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteYou're funny as heck and very genuine. You could definitely write a book and it would be awesome! I didn't know they stopped teaching cursive. I don't care too much honestly, because people used to do such a bad job it was hard to read anyway - like doctor prescriptions. But at least they should put emphasis on something else like the fine arts, music, or sports. I was in so many activities at my high school that don't seem to be available to kids anymore. Sad.
ReplyDeleteThank you:) Even if most don't use cursive it is still good to know in my book since it will expand the mind especially when they want to read some old letter and can't
DeleteWell said, Birgit! And I blame spell check and auto-correct for the appalling spelling. Can't spell, can't write... what next, eh?! Here's a :) to make things better!
ReplyDeletehugs Asha
Oh I know and I had a kid tell me I spelt Colour wrong and had to explain to them that Colour is the actual correct way but that color is Americanized.
DeleteHaha, once again, you have me laughing! Especially in regards to the Larry, Curly, and Moe reference. I think we all feel like that at times where we just one to slap the heck out of one of our family members! Lol.
ReplyDeleteI think you should definitely write a book! It would be filled with so much humor and honesty, and in truth, who cares about all that grammar stuff—that's what an editor is for!
I love your rant about cursive because I feel the same way! Why aren't our kids learning cursive anymore? I don't get it...
Thank you so much for the rah rah (see I can't think up the right word). Oh thank heavens for editors. Cursive is important and soon it will be a lost art-how sad is that?
DeleteIf you want to write, write. Don't worry about grammar or word choice. What words you choose are your "voice", and they don't need to be the biggest words in the dictionary. In fact, it'll be more accessible if they aren't. And grammar... get a good editor or two. That's their job.
ReplyDeleteAs for cursive... By the time I was in the 10th grade, I used it half the time. (This was in the late '80s.) By senior year I had stopped using it entirely. Signing one's name--yeah kiddos need to do that. But as long as they can write legibly, I don't see why we really need cursive anymore.
Thank you for your positive remarks and I will write my mom's story...in time. It's me:) Oh I think cursive is needed even if if it is to educate about the history of writing. It slows things down also which I think we all need.
DeleteHad I realized that I wanted to be a writer I would have paid closer attention in English class in school. BTW, I agree about not teaching kids cursive.
ReplyDeleteHow true! I feel the same
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