Writers love it when you tell them you like what they do!

In the world of writing there are very few who make a full time living from their craft. We enjoy our craft and love to share our thoughts, dreams and imagination with others. There is nothing better to keep a writer motivated than positive feedback – even constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

There are many ways you can show your appreciation to an author. Here are some ideas: 

Don’t be shy, simply tell the author.

• Send them a letter or an email.  
• Send them a message via their Facebook page or website. 
• Sign up for their newsletter or blog if they have one.

 

If you are on social media then use your favourite source to tell the world.

• Tweet your appreciation.
• Post your appreciation on Facebook.
• Take a photo of the cover and stick on Instagram.
• Pin the book on Pinterest.
• Post it on Tumblr.
• Promote via your social media tribe.

 

Blog about it. If you are a blogger I am sure you appreciate positive feedback on your work. Why not do the same for the author of a book you have enjoyed by posting a review or a writing a blog about the author.

Review it. There are several websites that have a good following by readers wanting to read reviews of books they are considering purchasing. Amazon, Goodreads and LibraryThing are the main ones. Many writers also have an author’s page on Amazon and Goodreads where you can follow them and give feedback.

Tell your family and friends

• Recommend the book to your friends.
• Suggest that your local book club reads the book.
• Post a link to the book on one of your ‘Read & Recommend’ Facebook Groups.

 

Do you write reviews on the books you have enjoyed?

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As Writers, Do We Need to be Perfect with our Language All the Time?

 As writers, who want to share their stories with others, I believe, we have a duty to be pedantic about our use of language; that is, correct grammar and spelling. There will always be difficult, complicated and varied opinions about some aspects but we should do our very best and continue to learn.

Having said that, I think there are areas, especially with dialogue, we need to diverge from accuracy to correctly portray characters in words to our readers.

My favourite Australian writers is CJ Dennis.¹ His writing can take some getting used to but, when read as it is written, you have a clear image of the speaker and their accent. Here is one example from his poem Doreen:

'Er name's Doreen ...Well, spare me bloomin' days!

You could er knocked me down wiv 'arf a brick!
Yes, me, that kids meself I know their ways,
An' 'as a name for smoogin' in our click!
I just lines up 'an tips the saucy wink.
But strike! The way she piled on dawg! Yer'd think
A bloke was givin' back-chat to the Queen....
'Er name's Doreen.

Somehow it just would be the same written in pure English.

How much should authors follow purity in spelling and grammar especially with dialogue. The writer must convey his characters with some accuracy and if that character is supposed to have say an Irish accent then that is how it needs to be written to convey it to the reader. That cannot be done using ‘proper’ English

To accurately give an indication of person’s accent, or even their lack of education, it is beneficial to the reader if the author can have that reader “hear” the spoken word. Local jargon also helps the reader imagine the character.

These might be expressions used frequently in a particular country eg in Australia people are frequently greeted with g’day (good day) or if you are happy with something someone has done you might say ‘bewdy mate!’

Both England and Australia have sections of the community that use rhyming slang eg ‘I am going down the frog and toad’ (road).

However, there are some phrases and words common today that I believe should NOT be used because they are simply bad grammar. The one that annoys me the most is the common use of ‘yous’ as a plural for you.

What are your thoughts on the subject? 

¹ Clarence Michael James Stanislaus Dennis, better known as C. J. Dennis, (7 September 1876 – 22 June 1938) was an Australian poet known for his humorous poems, especially "The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke", published in the early 20th century. Though Dennis's work is less well known today, his 1916 publication of The Sentimental Bloke sold 65,000 copies in its first year, and by 1917 he was the most prosperous poet in Australian history. Together with Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson, both of whom he collaborated with, he is often considered among Australia's three most famous poets.