tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post7538724761749551625..comments2024-03-16T07:27:27.752+00:00Comments on Novel Points of View: STYLE MATTERS by Gill StewartRae Cowiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10213969901991611348noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-84104341189308624432015-12-07T10:52:49.019+00:002015-12-07T10:52:49.019+00:00You don't need to take care Gwen, your writing...You don't need to take care Gwen, your writing is effortlessly lovely (well, it seems effortless). Thanks for commenting xGill Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03139563775181908912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-20845167744212255782015-12-07T10:51:30.230+00:002015-12-07T10:51:30.230+00:00Thanks for popping by Lesley, and sharing that quo...Thanks for popping by Lesley, and sharing that quote! I agree that rules are useful but it is clarity that really matters. I plan to adopt what my sister say's is the South African attitude to rules: 'We see them more as rough guidelines'!Gill Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03139563775181908912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-56814107954541412702015-12-07T10:44:22.155+00:002015-12-07T10:44:22.155+00:00I love this quote from Derek Neale "Anyone ca...I love this quote from Derek Neale "Anyone can write, only writers can edit". So true. I have enjoyed your post and much of Stephen Pinker. I believe clarity and the classic style is always worth aiming for. My pet hate is that verb that people use so often as a noun, these days: Invite. "Thanks for the invite," they say, when they mean invitation. Grrr. I'm not a stickler for correct grammar but a good working knowledge of it aids clarity and I'm all for breaking the rules when clarity or the style demands it. Sadly, not enough people seem to care much about grammar, style or striving for clarity these days.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13556019741758029069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-10318533516251630992015-12-07T10:43:14.100+00:002015-12-07T10:43:14.100+00:00I don't read many blogs these days but I had t...I don't read many blogs these days but I had to read this - and now i wish I hadn't! Like Jennifer I shall be wondering about all the things I do, or should not do. I have to agree though, some writing seems to be complex simply to cram in as many words as possible, or twist things around. I shall try to take more care in future.Gwen Kirkwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17201272628774727921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-45594025637613669702015-12-07T08:18:43.842+00:002015-12-07T08:18:43.842+00:00The book is actually a fun read (except for one te...The book is actually a fun read (except for one techy chapter) so I'd definitely recommend it. One of the things I am trying to take from it is to write clearly - that seems to be something simple to aim for. And your writing voice definitely isn't ugly, so you're fine!Gill Stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03139563775181908912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3855283511538601375.post-10325223760248889982015-12-06T12:22:53.673+00:002015-12-06T12:22:53.673+00:00Oh,Gill, I so agree with this post - but now you h...Oh,Gill, I so agree with this post - but now you have me in a complete panic. What on on Earth is good style? Is it the same for me as it is for you? What if a writer's 'voice' is stylistically ugly? Help!<br /><br />The easy thing about grammar is that the rules are pretty easy to identify and apply, even if they sound wrong. <br /><br />Much food for thought here. Thanks. I know I ought to buy the book but I'm not sure if I dare!Jo Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12976757854217324838noreply@blogger.com