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C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

Communicate What You Mean: Her Grammarness Lives. Then There’s Something Called A to Z Blog Challenge

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Her Grammarness Wears This While Writing.
(Not really)

If you can’t express your ideas clearly on the page, you’re not communicating what you want.

At a book signing one of the people in the audience asked, “Do you pay attention to grammar when you write?”

I was with two other authors. One said sometimes. The other said never.

Guess what I said?

Actually, I think I uttered more of a loud English teacher moan before I said, “Without following the writing conventions, we can’t communicate what we really mean.”

Kind of pompous? Maybe, but come on writers, if you’re not clear when you set down your ideas on a page, what do you expect, your readers to do–call you up and ask, “What did you mean when you wrote this?”

Personally, I don’t like late night phone calls (I expect that’s when I’d get these kinds of calls), so I’m willing to put in the extra care to get the grammar and, for that matter, the punctuation as correct as I can. Even then, I want a keen-eyed editor going over my prose–I messed up on this once, but never again. That’s a long and embarrassing story that I shall reveal upon my deathbed, but not before.

I went exploring on the good old Internet and found a few places that are great resources for anyone trying to put ideas on a page. Here are some links, so check them out when you’re not sure about your punctuation or when you have to win an argument over that lie/lay-sit/set-passed/past issue. Never again dangle those participles and never again wonder if your clauses are restrictive and need commas or non-restrictive and don’t.

QUICK AND DIRTY TIPS
THE GRAMMAR BOOK
FREE GRAMMAR HELP
GRAMMAR SLAMMER

I caught the tail end of the #atozchallenge Tweet Chat Friday night. I met some new Tweeps and chatted afterward. As one of M.J. Joachim’s Team, I like to explore what’s going on. You might check out the Chat next Friday evening. It starts at 5PM. 

Here’s the rest of JOCHIM’S lovely A to Z Team

Suzanne Sapsed – Suzanne’s Tribe
Sherry Ellis – Mama Diaries & Gone Gardening  
Bish Denham – Random Thoughts

Christine Rains. Her Grammarness Rears Her Crowned Head Again.

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I’m really excited to have this 
GUEST POST 
by 

TRICK-OR-TREAT

Children run through the halls of the building, giggling and knocking on doors. Their excited energy has rubbed off on everyone, including you. Good thing too, because the elevator is packed, and you have to walk up the stairs to get to your friend’s apartment for her Halloween party. Oh, did I mention your costume looks awesome!
As you’re climbing the stairs, you stop on the landing of the 13th Floor. How had you never noticed there was a 13th floor before? You feel a chill as the door swings open. No kids skip down this corridor, but the jack-o-lanterns decorating the hall tell you people are home. Feeling the Halloween spirit, you decide it might be fun to go trick-or-treating. Okay, maybe you’re a little too old, but it could be fun if you knocked on just one door.
But which one? There are six apartments.
  • 1301 has a wicked looking pumpkin with devil horns.
  • 1302’s jack-o-lantern is painted to look like a wolf.
  • 1303’s is green with a tail. Is that a mini lance sticking through it?
  • 1304’s door is elegantly decorated and the pumpkin is uncarved.
  • 1305’s jack-o-lantern is blinking. Wait… not the pumpkin. Is there an animal hiding in it?
  • 1306 has a pumpkin with long fangs.

Whose door do you knock on and why? If you’d like, tell us what you think might happen when whoever lives there opens the door.
Have fun! Lee will choose the response she likes best, and that person will receive a free digital copy of the 13th Floor Collection.

I’m already scared, but scare me some more and you’ll win that free copy of Christine’s book! And here’s a brief glimpse of what you’re in for come October 13 when it’s released.

Six supernatural tenants

Living in a haunted apartment building
On a floor that doesn’t exist.
Six novellas telling their tales.
A retired demon acquires a price on his head. 
A werewolf is hunted by her pack.
A modern day dragonslayer misses his target.
A harpy challenges Zeus for the soul of the man she loves.
A vampire is obsessed with a young woman he can’t find. 
A banshee falls in love with someone who’s death she has seen in a vision.
And a sweet ghost must battle a primal monster to save them all. 
All the stories take place at the same time intertwining their lives together on the 13th Floor.
*Includes “The Shadow,” a bonus short story.

About the Author

Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she’s not writing or reading, she having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She’s a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. The 13th Floor series is her first self-published series. She has eight novellas and twenty-one short stories published.
Website: http://christinerains.net/
Blog: http://christinerains-writer.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorchristinerains
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@CRainsWriter
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4017568.Christine_Rains

Her Paranormal Romance: Thirteenth Floor Collection is here.
BUY LINKS: 

Kobo 

Smashwords 

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Separate Words and Combined Forms

As far as I know standard English still holds to these forms as being correct in standard writing. Anyone disagree? I always double check for errors with these guys. They’re sneaky or my brain’s leaky. 

all ready (adjective phrase) 
The reviewer was all ready to read Snarkle’s book when she peeked through the crack in her door and fainted.

already (adverb of time)
Snarkle’s book was already a New York Times bestseller by the time she heard from the agent.

all right (adjective phrase)
Snarkle’s book seemed all right to me, but the school banned it. 

all together (adjective phrase)
There were seven critics all together. Why were they frowning at Snarkle? 

altogether (adverb, meaning wholly)
Snarkle missed the deadline, so that was altogether a different matter. 

a while (noun)
Snarkle wrote for a while before tossing her computer out the window.

awhile (adverb)
Snarkle wanted the agent to represent awhile longer. “Nope,” the agent said.

may be (verb phrase)
It may be that Snarkle’s work isn’t that good after all.

maybe (adverb, short for “it may be)
Maybe she needs a refresher course in how to write.

Thursday! And I Have a New Book For You! Plus a Grammar Grappler. Ready?

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It’s Paranormal. It’s Romantic! And you can win one.

I stuck my neck out and interviewed Rena. She’s the main gal in Carrie’s book and one tough cookie. Want to see what she says? Read on.
Rena, you are a petite blonde who seems to be very active. Besides working out with that punching bag, what’s your favorite exercise?
I used to be in gymnastics, and then I was on a martial arts kick, but the only exercise I’ll have time for is running between classes this semester. Seriously. I scheduled a couple back to back, and they’re on opposite ends of campus. Bleh!
You’ll be buffed by end of term!
Can you tell us how you met that hunk, Wallace Edwin Blake?
Oh God. Are you going to lecture me, too? We ran into each other—as in, a face meets chest collision. Everyone thinks I had this dangerous run-in with the madman, but it wasn’t that big of deal at all.
No lecture from me! But I’ve heard “madman” bandied about. Just . . . well onward.
What is there about him, not including the fact that he’s gorgeous, that attracts you to him?
Attracts me? Easy there, lady. We just met yesterday morning. I mean, he seems pretty considerate, and he wears this tortured expression that makes me want to jump his bones, but I wouldn’t say I’m attracted to him. I hardly know the guy!
Er, sorry. But… well… jumping bone…. Never mind. Let me move on to another touchy question. I’m fearless, you see.

I notice a few bruises on your arm, and I hate to be nosey (not in the least), but how did you get those?
Ugh. Don’t remind me. I swear, I’m vitamin deficient or something. Wallace grabbed me once, and I’m still wearing his handprints. Isn’t that ridiculous?
Aha! I mean, of course. Ridiculous. Absolutely.
There’s a rumor that this guy Wallace Blake is kind of a . . . how should I put this . . .wild guy. What do you know about that?
So help me, if I hear one more person bring up those stupid rumors. Yes, there are screams and growls and… God knows what else coming from his room every night, but that doesn’t mean Wallace is crazy. We let those stupid rumors get out of control, and now looked at what’s happened. The guy is a freakin’ pariah. I’m sick of it.
You got a little defense just then. I’m sorry, but my readers really like to know what goes on behind those closed doors on campus. Hope you don’t mind if I ask one more rather personal question.
*Sigh* It’s okay. I’m just… never mind. Let’s continue.
Do you have any reservations about being up close and personal with Wallace? Is there any hope for a relationship? I’ve heard rumors, just so you know. 
I’ll say this: I don’t know what goes on in that room every night, but I refuse to write him off because of it.
Well, there you have it. I need a drink. Not water.


What people are saying:

“Carrie Butler is now on my must read list.” ~Lynn Rush, author of Violet Midnight
“I carried Strength with me everywhere. Grocery shopping, the dinner table, you name it. The storyline was addictive, and the characters were hilarious. I couldn’t put it down.” ~Jessica Therrien, author of Oppression

AMAZON  |  KINDLE  |  BARNES AND NOBLE  |  NOOK  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Her Grammarness Grapples with Gerunds . . . sort of.

Here’s a riddle: What looks like a verb, but acts like a noun?
Ans:  (Surprise!) A gerund.
Writing can be hell. Editing can be tedious. Re-writing is the pits!
See? Each underlined word looks like an -ing verb, doesn’t it? But they’re subjects in sentences, so they’re nouns. So what’s the big deal?  *Ho hum. *Yawn.
Well, here are two reasons to know about this versatile (aka tricky) grammar bit.
1) Create sentence variety. Use a gerund form once in a while to vary your sentence structure.
2) To be grammatically correct, use the possessive form with the gerund. Instead of writing, 
“Dear Editor, I appreciate you making all those red ink marks on my manuscript.” 
You’ll write (and correctly so), 
“Dear Editor, I appreciate your making all those red ink marks on my manuscript.”
Ta! Off to find some red ink.

New Book and Her Grammarness Just Won’t Let Up, Will She?

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New Book

Book One of a Series
by
Anna Silver
Sapphire Star Publishing
Coming April 4, 2013

Confined within Capital City’s concrete walls, London keeps an impossible secret: she dreams. And she’s not alone. Her friends are seeing themselves in “night pictures” too, as beings from another world. Together they uncover the story of their avatars, astral shamans they call Otherborn. 
When one Otherborn is murdered and another goes missing, London realizes someone is hunting them. Escaping along the Outroads, they brave the deserted Houselands with only their Otherborn to guide them. Can they find their friend before the assassin finds them?

Anna Silver grew up with a passion for words, books, and storytelling. She began writing as a child and eventually landed at St. Edward’s University in Austin where she studied English Writing & Rhetoric. She has always nurtured a vivid imagination and a love for art, expression, and fantasy. Currently she resides in the greater Houston area with her family and pets where she continues to read, write, and dream. Otherborn is her first published novel.
Author Links:
Anna would love you to stop by and say hi and follow her. Here’s where you can find out more about this author.

Website

Blog  

Book Links:
Youtube  
Excerpt  Read a bit of Otherborn.
What people are saying:
“Anna Silver weaves a dark new world full of taut suspense and characters that leap off the page.” –Sophie Jordan, NYT bestselling author of the Firelight trilogy
“Travel to a world where dreaming is a radical act that can save the world… Anna Silver’s post-apocalyptic vision is rich with imagery and metaphysical ideas, grounded by vivid, three-dimensional characters. A truly fresh take on dystopian.” –Nina Berry, author of the OTHERKIN series
“Silver built the right amount of conflict and tension to draw readers into her dystopian world, and created characters who are leery, yet determined to embrace New.” –Natasha Hanova, author of Edge of Truth.


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Her Grammarness

We English speakers have done a lot to simplify our language over time. Take gender, for example. Unlike Spanish we don’t have to remember things like choosing the right article for the noun depending on whether that noun is male or female.  We can say the table and the tree, but when we switch to Spanish, it’s la mesa  and el arbol. However, we still have that thing called “case” that seems to confuse so many of us. So which is standard English? 
A. Between you and me, I hated that book. 
B. Between you and I, I hated that book.
A. He saw Amy and me slumped over the writers’ conference podium.
B. He saw Amy and I slumped over the writers’ conference podium.
A. Hello! You’re an agent? Yes, of course, this is I.
B. Hello! You’re an agent? Yes, of course, this is me. 
Now the BIG question is WHY is one wrong and one right? 




Whatcha Reading? Her Grammarness Has a Sense of Humor . . .Kind Of

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I’ve just finished May This Be the Best Year of Your Life by Bornstein and Blindsided by Kyra Lynnon, and my reviews are up HERE.

I won Keeper of the Lost City from The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow and so now I’m off on a wild adventure fantasy, written for middle grade readers.

I love that I can read anything and find something of value in all of them. So . . .whatcha reading?

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Her Grammarness


I’m a huge fan of Richard Lederer, and I’ve kept many of his articles I’ve read over the years because they made me laugh. We all know how embarrassing it is to write something, then discover it has grammatical errors. Even Her Grammarness knows how that feels. *Face grows red.*

But here’s a fellow who knows how not to embarrass himself. Thanks for sharing this, Mr. Lederer.

A Zoo keeper who lost two of his animals in a fire wrote to a zoological supply company:

Dear Sirs,
Please send me two mongooses.
When he re-read the letter, he thought it didn’t sound right, so he tried again.
Dear Sirs,
Please send me two mongeese.
That plural sounded even worse, so he wound up with:
Dear Sirs,
Please send me a mongoose, and while you’re at it send me another mongoose.
Do you ever write around a grammar issue that you’re not sure of? What are the sticky wickets of standard written English for you?

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Is everyone ready for the A-Z Blogging Challenge? Eeeek! Gotta go. I have a lot to do before April.

Thundering Luv? Cover Reveal & Partay! Her Grammarness Goes On & On

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New Books & Book Event

We have to have some LOVE on Valentine’s Day, so LM Preston has provided us with her latest book and it’s all about that subject.

Cover Reveal Ta da!

Here’s the next book in the Luv series by LM Preston. This is a stand alone story, but if you want at taste of this series before you get your copy of Thundering Luv, just pick up a copy of Summer of Luv for $.99 at all ebook retailers.

Thundering Luv–a Short Story-YA Romance: Jewel has always been able to get the guy she wanted. The starting jock on the football team, the team captain on the basketball team, and the lead swimmer on the swim team. Problem is, she didn’t find them the least bit exciting. Was she cold or a she-wolf for guys? Colin thought so, and he’d do anything to bring her down a peg or two. When these two collide on the sandy beach during their mixed up summer vacation,  sparks fly, making this a summer neither will forget.
Does this cover look hot, or what?

Release Date: June 1st, 2013
Format: Ebook Only Release, but will be part of a print book in 2014 that includes 3 short YA Summer Romances by LM Preston to include (Flutter Of Luv, Thundering Luv, and Double Trouble Luv)

FREE BOOK1 in the ‘Summer Luv’ series of short stories by LM Preston. Flutter Of Luv, to each person who:

  • comments within 2 days of the cover reveal
  • adds this book to their TBR list over at goodreads OR “like” Flutter of Luv at Amazon. (leave your like# in your comment here.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bc05448/


You’re invited to join in the fun at the  Facebook Release Party: May, 18th, 2013 combined party with LM Preston’s 2013 releases.

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Her Grammarness

The Continuing Saga of The Amateur Writer: We all have to be amateurs at the start, but we don’t have to stay that way, do we? However, if amateur status is your goal, here are some things (semantic as well as grammatical) to include in your stories
Body parts that take on a life of their own:
  • Her hand flew to her mouth. (This is an interesting image. Wonder if she ducked?)
  • His eyes shot toward her. (Yikes! Incoming.)
  • The girl’s head dropped onto the table. (That would ruin any meal.)
Which: use liberally and be sure it never connects with its noun:
  • I didn’t write the story, which was very tragic. (Tragic that you didn’t write the story or did you mean that the story was tragic? Oh dear, we’ll never know.)
  • The aardvark ate the gorilla, which was truly amazing. (An amazing act, indeed for anything, especially the aardvark; however, just what is “truly amazing”–the eating of the gorilla or the gorilla itself?) 

Have you read any of these in WIP’s? I have. I think I even found a few in some early writing at the back of my bookshelf. Incinerated now!


Thursday’s Child and Her Grammarness Lives On

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No New Books Today

I usually post about books on Thursdays because I love those things, be they of the digital variety or the hardcopy kind that fall onto my face with a plop when I doze off while reading in bed. But this week has been fraught with lots of family crises. You’d think one really sick person in a week or one emergency run would be more than enough. Try two of each! 

The series of heart-pounding events started last Thursday, so that somehow made me think of that old rhyme about children born on days of the week. I checked: I’m a Thursday’s child and the rhyme says I have far to go. Why me? A better question yet is what has Thursday got to do with going anywhere? 

Google to the rescue! Here’s what one sage had to say: 

 “Thursday – the fifth day of the week, “… derives its name from the MIddle English Thorsday. “Thursday’s child has far to go,” much like Thor, the only god who couldn’t cross from earth to heaven upon the rainbow.”

Where’s that rainbow anyway? I’m looking for it. Not seeing it.

The best part of finding the answer to my question was that I reread the whole poem and decided being born on Thursday was a heck of a lot better than being born on Wednesday, but I became firmly convinced that because I’m only one day away from Wednesday, there has been a bit of contamination–at least this past week.

Mondays child is fair of face,

Tuesdays child is full of grace,
Wednesdays child is full of woe,
Thursdays child has far to go,
Fridays child is loving and giving,
Saturdays child works hard for his living,
And the child that is born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.

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Her Grammarness

Which/Witch one’s right? Or, maybe the real question is why did they make English so tricky? 
1) He warned me not to lose/loose that book contract.
2) I had so many complements/compliments on my book that I wrote another one.
3)I stood in line for hours for the eminent/imminent author to sign my copy of his book.
4)How can people read on a stationery/stationary bike?

Any more of these tricksters that you know and love?

New Book Thursday With a Bit of Swash and Buckle & A Rule from Her Grammarness

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New Books

Dead Reckoning by K A Perkins

I stumbled on this one in a forum and decided I’d like to read an historical novel. Here’s my review on Amazon.

Dead Reckoning is an historical adventure of piracy, love and revenge in the Caribbean in the Seventeenth Century.

Leo is born in Spanish Panama in 1659. When he is 12 years old he witnesses the violent rape and murder of his mother by three of the Caribbean’s most feared pirates: Tarr, Blake and Hornigold, and swears revenge at all costs. 
Gabriella is trapped in an abusive marriage to a ruthless Dutch slave trader, who is in business with the same English cut-throats. She risks all to escape with her life. 

Follow their exciting story as they meet threat and challenge on the Caribbean Seas and pursue their quest of revenge; a quest that leads to a terrifying conclusion. But whose head is in the noose?


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Her Grammarness

I’m not implying that I know everything about grammar, so I hope none of you are inferring that from Her Grammarness’s posts. However, I do know the difference between an implication and an inference, and it’s nails on that old-fashioned chalk board for me when a writer confuses the two. Here’s the conversation that made this difference so clear in my mind.

“That is one piece of amazing prose,” the agent said, holding her nose.
“Are you implying my prose stinks?” I glowered at her.
“You may infer whatever you please. Just take this elsewhere.” She held my manuscript at arms length between her thumb and forefinger.

Rule anyone?
Implication: Use to express that something is hinted at, not directly stated.
Inference: Use to express a logical conclusion based on information given.

Have you discovered some unknown books by accident, read and enjoyed them? Any grammar items that are like nails on the blackboard to you?

Christmas Déjà Vu. Also, Her Grammarness Strikes Again! All right?

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Featured Books

Lionel should have been here before Christmas; however, I took a break and Lionel had Christmas presents to wrap, so we’re both a bit late. Okay, shoot us! But Christmas will come again and very soon. So here’s a lighthearted and sweet book to tuck away for next year. And Paul R. Hewlett has other–not so seasonally specific adventures for Lionel. Check out his other books as well. And READ A SAMPLE. Enjoy!

Her Grammarness

I had a special request from Marcia for this week’s post, and, so–all right– here we go! Is that all right with everyone? Her Grammarness doth love getting it all right, so if it’s all right with you I’ll proceed. Of course, I realize that it’s not that big OF a deal, these nerdy Grammar Issues. Oops! Just made a bit of a flub there, Marcia.

Crown askew. 
Adjust. 
All better now. 

Starting again. Ahem!

It may not be that [NEVER USE OF HERE WHEN WRITING UNLESS YOUR CHARACTER SPEAKS THAT WAY. “IT’S NO BIG OF A DEAL” IS SPOKEN ENGLISH, NOT STANDARD WRITTEN ENGLISH.] big a deal, but I like to know where I stand in the all right v. alright discussion because I’m a writer. All right is the standard English synonym for adequate or permissible. Alright has moved from being a misspelling, to having slightly different meaning, to maybe. . .just maybe becoming a word in its own right. In any case, check out the publisher/editor/agent you’re subbing to and find out what they set as “standard.” I’m sticking with all right because of this crown.


Do you have any burning questions for Her Grammarness? If I can’t answer them I have an army of linguists to tap into. They love grammar, phonological and semantic questions. Makes them feel needed.

So Do You Like Book Events? How About Super Helpful Books or Fun New Books? Her Grammarness Serves Up a Dollop of Detail

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Book Events

A BOOK EVENT YOU’LL LIKE: January 4 7:30PM Kepler’s in Menlo Park, CA 94025 is hosting three of my old 2009 Debs: Lauren Bjorkman, Kimberly Derting and Stacey Jay. Stop by and hear what they have to say about World Building.

YOUNG ADULT EVENT
New Year’s Reads with Lauren Bjorkman, Kimberly Derting,  and Stacey Jay     
Friday January 4th,
7.30 pm
Start the New Year with some of our favorite YA reads.

miss fortune cookieThe Fortune Cookie by Lauren Bjorkman: Meet Erin. Smart student, great daughter, better friend. Secretly the mastermind behind the popular advice blog Miss Fortune Cookie. Totally unaware that her carefully constructed life is about to get crazy..   
The Essence by Kimberly Derting: At the conclusion of The Pledge, the essenceCharlaina (who can understand all languages in a country where the language you speak determines your class) defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.

romeo redeemedRomeo Redeemed by Stacey Jay: All will be revealed for fans who have breathlessly awaited the sizzling sequel to Juliet Immortal. This time Romeo takes center stage and gets one chance, and one chance only, to redeem himself.

  
If you have a book event and what a bit of a shout out. Let me know. I can shout.
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New Books

A SUPER HELPFUL BOOK: A few week ago–and now I totally forget how it happened–I was contacted and asked if I’d be interested in reviewing a new book about social media.
“Heck yeah,” says me.
I can use all the help I can get. I didn’t really expect much, but I was surprised. SOCIAL MEDIA JUST FOR WRITERS  by FRANCES CABALLO is a winner of a book. Here’s my AMAZON review, but if you’re still scratching your head over profile pages and fan pages and how those charts work and on and on and on, grab this book. It’s a hit list of what to do for each of social media giants.

A FUN NEW BOOK: Lauren Bjorkman’s MISS FORTUNE COOKIE (Holt) is out. The tag line: Fate will come looking for you. Don’t bother hiding.  Sounds enticing, doesn’t it?

If you have a new book coming out. I’ll post about it. Just send me links, a two-three sentence tag line and a cover. I love new books and I love posting about them. If you’ve just read a book you couldn’t put down, I’d love to hear about it.

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Her Grammarness

Here’s more than you ever wanted to know about the adverb ALREADY and its friend, ALL READY! But here it is anyway.  First, they’re not the same words. They have two meaning and, as you can see two spellings. Unfortunately, some writers treat them as siamese twins. They’re not even fraternal twins. 
ALREADY means IT–whatever IT is–is done, finished, kaput. 
In American English we often say, “I already edited that manuscript. I’m not doing it again.” (I suggest writers don’t say this to their editors.)
The Brits kind of keep “already” for use in the present perfect. You know those Brits! “I’ve already edited that manuscript, you obtuse critic, you.”  
ALL READY is reserved for “Are you all ready to publish your book?” Meaning, “Are you prepared to get that @~# manuscript out of your C Drive?”  OR “I am all ready to become a New York Times Bestselling author.” There’s a small gap between those two sentences in terms of time, but PREPARED is the synonym for all ready in both.  BTW I just read a book that had these words ALL WRONG. Oops!
Do you have any burning questions for Her Grammarness? If I can’t answer them I have an army of linguists to tap into. They love grammar, phonological and semantic questions. Makes them feel needed.