Supaproofread Blog

Fighting Writer’s Block

I wrote about getting started in writing, that sometimes the beginning is the hardest part. But, writer’s block is a completely different monster. See, getting started is often difficult but at least the writer has something to say. Writer’s block is where you hit a mental wall and you have absolutely nothing at all.

Some people would look at you crazy and wonder why you would want to write if you have nothing to write about. But, a writer has a need to write. And sometimes, things just need said even when a writer can’t seem to form the words.

How do you get through it is the question? There are several ways to combat writer’s block. Force yourself through or gradually get back into it, there’s always a way.

Freewrite

You may have been taught this before, but it works rather well. Freewriting is a method in which you start writing all of your thoughts down on a piece of paper. You don’t think about grammar or spelling errors. You don’t worry about punctuation. You just write, and write, and write. Before long, you’ll actually have something to write about.

Anything and everything that comes across your mind, that’s what you write. Don’t censor yourself. And if you have absolutely nothing going on in your mind, write about that.
[Read more…] about Fighting Writer’s Block

Give Credit Where Credit is Due: Plagiarism Isn’t Even Cool

I was teaching English to high school freshmen and sophomores a few years ago when something threw me by surprise. Students were still trying to plagiarize. I had to sit one student down in particular and write the definition of plagiarism on the back of his paper so that we both knew it had been taught to him.

Later on in that same year, another paper I had asked him to write was completely copied from the Internet. I found half the paper on one website while the vice principal found the rest of it on another. I sat the student down and explained to him why his paper failed.

The next thing I knew, I was in a meeting with his mother, his father and my principal. Luckily, I had that earlier paper with the definition of plagiarism written on the back of it. While I was being questioned about my teaching methods, I simply pulled out the paper and slid it across the desk.
[Read more…] about Give Credit Where Credit is Due: Plagiarism Isn’t Even Cool

Norman Mailer – In Requiem

I read The Fight by Norman Mailer in 1993, and quickly followed up with The Naked and the Dead and Deer Park.

I was hooked on his work from there on and moved on to other works of his and his peers, particularly Truman Capote and Tom Wolfe.

It was announced a little over an hour ago that Norman Mailer had died, aged 84.

I don’t feel anything personal for Norman, I never met him and never knew him so a feeling of loss is not something I can claim. However, as a practical example of how writing can reach out and touch someone, I can say I feel saddened that someone who wrote so eloquently and passionately on real topics of interest has indeed passed on.
[Read more…] about Norman Mailer – In Requiem

Why I Enjoy Being Wrong!

Getting things wrong is just a fact of life so build a bridge and get over it.

Thomas Edison failed over 1,800 times before suddenly he had a light bulb switch on inside his brain and guess what – he invented the working light bulb!

My greatest successes have always had deep roots in past failure and I have never allowed the odd mishap to derail me from producing something I consider to be up to scratch. While this is not going to be a post on how ERH has messed things up so very badly, there is a lot to be said for failure and making mistakes.

Treating your mistakes as learning experiences will help you appreciate the lesson far more deeply than if you just followed advice or a guide book. When you encounter a mistake, and often in my case it is brought to my attention after the event, analyse what has happened. After I have thrown my teddy in the corner and had a fit, I always consider what has happened, what led to the error, why I did whatever caused the problem and more than that, how do I make sure it doesn’t occur again.
[Read more…] about Why I Enjoy Being Wrong!

Pet Peeves: Because Correct Grammar is Simply Forgotten Sometimes

There are always going to be mistakes that start innocently enough, but grow into universal usage. The internet helps propagate this because it is full of informal forms of communication that lead to the wide spread growth of common mistakes. Chat rooms and emails are very convenient forms of informal communication where people throw the grammar book out the window so that they can cut a few corners and send messages faster.

“…i want u to find that 4 me…idk my bff rose…lol…”

I’m not saying I have a pet peeve with shortcuts in the chat rooms. But, it translates to mistakes in more formal settings. When you write an essay for your college professor or you have a report to write for your boss, you don’t want to turn in a presentation with simple errors that could have been avoided. So, let’s take a look at a few of the more common mistakes in hopes that you’ll catch on and start correcting your own errors by yourself.

One that has really caught on big is the use of the word, “thru.” This wasn’t even a word until a few short years ago. Added to the dictionary because of its wide usage, it is the informal spelling of the word “through.” I “threw” a ball or I went “through” the door are the two homonyms used for formal writing. “Thru” should be kept for hand-written signs on Laundromats that tell you the doors are open “Monday thru Friday.”

Using Analogies, Similes and Metaphors

Analogies, similes and metaphors work because they allow a writer to present a complex idea by reference to something that a reader is already likely to know.

Plato wrote a work about 2,500 years ago called “Allegory of the Cave” in which prisoners are duped into believing that shadows cast on a wall are in fact reality. The allegory in this instance is that Plato used this picture of a cave with duped prisoners as the basis for explaining a series of philosophical concepts dealing with our perception of reality and what we consider to be real. Hollywood took hold of this and created The Matrix as a modern day retelling of the tale but without imparting any real meaning by use of analogy.

The difference between Plato’s work and The Matrix is an excellent example of good and bad use of analogy.

Plato used analogy sparingly and ensured that the concepts he was attempting to impart to his readers formed the core of his content.

The Matrix uses analogy until it is done to death and leaves the viewer confused so it’s just as well the special effects were pretty good along with Trinity and her latex covered backside.
[Read more…] about Using Analogies, Similes and Metaphors