Who Cares If It’s Spelled Right? I Do!

by Erika Dreifus on
2

On more than one occasion my students (and, frankly, my own colleagues and classmates) have seemed to find me too “rigid” on issues of grammar, punctuation, and spelling. But I can’t help it. I think these issues matter. I think they’re especially important for writers.

We all make mistakes. We all suffer from typos and faulty proofreading now and then. That’s not the problem. The problem is a blanket informality and indifference to the “rules” and the criticism leveled against those who try to preserve high standards rather than those for whom “standards” seems to be a dirty word. So I found myself nodding in agreement today as I read Johnny Gunn’s online article, “Who Cares If It’s Spelled Right?”

Give it a read and see what you think.

E-Interview with Panel of Literary Journal Editors

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

I’m a big fan of Dan Wickett and his work with the Emerging Writers’ Network. This week Dan posted the latest in a series of e-interviews with panels of literary journal editors. This time the group includes Marie Hayes (STORYQUARTERLY), Jackie Corley (WORD RIOT), Michelle Richmond (FICTION ATTIC), David McGlynn (WESTERN HUMANITIES REVIEW), Elizabeth Onuska (GUERNICA), Derek Kagemann (HALCYON), and Mitch Wieland (IDAHO REVIEW). Read what they all have to say right here.

The Second Post

by Erika Dreifus on
Disabled

Well, I’m sorry I can’t come up with a more creative title for this second post than “The Second Post,” but there we are. The truth is that I’m in something of a transitional state at the moment. I’m easing into this blog without completely breaking from my previous one (which you’ll find here). And I’m just back from a brief trip away for a family celebration. So please bear with me!

Later this week we’ll be distributing the new (September) issue of our “Practicing Writer” free monthly newsletter to our subscribers. If you don’t already subscribe to this resource for fictionists, poets, and creative nonfiction writers please know that we do not sell, rent, or otherwise share your e-mail address with any third party. AND–subscribers receive access to a complimentary literary contest guide just for signing up! Interested? Find out more at the Practicing Writer website.