Fall into the correct grammar patterns!

November is a month to give thanks to loved ones, health and happiness. Reading and writing are two of my favorite pastimes (both at home and in the office), so I decided to make a list of my Grammar Pet Peeves with easy-to-remember rules to cure the bad copywriting bug that’s been going around lately. 

(Please note: a few I already mentioned on the Blue Tide Productions Blog, but thought they were important enough to reiterate.)

1. Review your sentences and remove the word “that.” In most cases, your sentences still make sense without that word. The more you can condense your sentences and tighten up copy, the better.

2.   Finally, an easy way to remember they’re, their, and there!:

They are = they’re. Think of it as a drunken slur, you are just running the words together quickly.

So clearly, their = the “other” one, used for possessive. Easy to remember because an “heir” gets stuff. It just has a T in front of it.

And lastly, “there” indicates a location or destination. Also easy to remember because it is like the word “here” (another location/destination) with a T in front of it.

I.e. They’re going to pick up their car from there.

3. Capitalization versus little letters? Depending on the type of site and copy you are crafting, capitalization comes into play in a big way.

The Big Game. A powerful title, needing all caps.

That’s what SHE said. (Self explanatory.)

Eenie,meenie, miney mo…I may choose not to capitalize any of this sentence if I think the viewer will get the ambiguous feeling better without them.

4. God bless bullets. Not the ammunition, but the lovely little dots that help us categorize an otherwise bulky and confusing paragraph. We should all use them more often to help structure thoughts, outline documents and sum up reports. All too often a paper comes across my desk that is completely essay-style, and it takes too much brainpower to decipher meaning. Help your supervisor (or audience) sift through your thoughts by keeping similar content in list format.

5. Alliteration is always an appropriate option. If it rolls off the tongue smoothly, try typing it out and seeing if it also flows well when your eyes move over the text. If I had used words that started with other letters like “Alliteration is typically a reasonable selection,” it just wouldn’t resonate properly.

6. Make dashing sentences by using perhaps the most underrated mark of punctuation – the em dash. Add a little drama and anticipation to your readers, and leave them wanting more. Girls should be good at this one. The width of the letter m, em dashes may replace commas, semicolons, colons, and parentheses to indicate added emphasis, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought.

Examples:

It was my favorite day of the week – payday.

He was the hardest-working intern we ever hired – period.

7. Commas suck, any way you splice it.
A comma splice is the incorrect use of a comma to connect two independent clauses (a phrase that is grammatically and conceptually complete: that is, it can stand on its own as a sentence.) To correct the comma splice, you can:

* replace the comma with a period, forming two sentences

* replace the comma with a semicolon

* join the two clauses with a conjunction such as “and,” “because,” “but,” etc.

Example:

Let’s go to lunch, I am hungry.                    INCORRECT

Let’s go to lunch. I am hungry.                    CORRECT

Let’s go to lunch; I am hungry.                    CORRECT

Let’s go to lunch because I am hungry.    CORRECT

8. Active verbs are healthy verbs! Active versus passive verbs
While there are exceptions to the rule, powerful sentences require action verbs to get the point.

The ball was dropped on this project by our team. INCORRECT
We dropped the ball on this project. CORRECT

If you every use the words “was, were, have or has been” family, ask yourself why. If it makes more sense and sounds better flipped around when you say it aloud, then in probably looks better on paper as well.

9. OMG. Text Jargon is NOT okay in the work environment.
Instant Messages to your colleague is one thing, but sending an email, ad, memo or report is quite another (no matter how close you are with clientele). I’d love to commend Marc Brownstein on an excellent post in Ad Age about this subject: U Think U R Such a Professional? Plz!

10. Don’t use words that are “too big for a sentence’s britches.”
There is a time and a place for showing off your vernacular and if you can’t tell the difference, it harms you more than it helps you. For example, a simple headline doesn’t need to use extensive vocabulary, especially if it makes readers stumble over the words. Nobody has time for it – they will drop it and move on to something else. Of course, in a 10-year strategic plan for your company, colloquial speech is accepted and in most cases, expected for the high-level eyes browsing the document.

Hope this hints help. What are your big pet peeves when it comes to grammar and writing?

Creativity cannot be rushed. Yet for it to be productive, it must.

What music helps you “put blinders on” so that you only see your canvas / screen / notepad / sketchpad?

“Creative Mood Music” that helps stir creativity:

-         Film scores like Carl Orff: Carmina Burana

-         Soundtracks from your favorite movies

-         Slow Jazz, Instrumental, Environmental

-         New Age

-         Techno/electronica / dance / house (whatever this genre calls itself these days)

Perhaps there is a little coffee bar or jazz place on the water you can check out during lunch to breathe in the music.  Your mood music should change depending on the creative endeavor, because music effects emotionally.  I like to listen to smooth, sultry yet upbeat music from artists like Regina Spektor, Mandy Bergen, John Mayer, etc.

An artist trying to depict a dark message should probably listen to a different channel/track than a public relations professional trying to catch their bearings before coming up with new story angles.

Music that helps you focus and wrap out creativity before deadline time:

-         Golden Oldies

-         90s alternative

-         Classic Rock

(Psst: Sensing a pattern? Sometimes when you know the words so well you subconsciously sing along, or completely ignore the song altogether. Either way, it’s not getting in the way at your task at hand.)

I am one of those freaks that prefer silence during deadline time.

Not by choice, exactly.

My embarrassing lack of song lyrics knowledge makes for an interesting karaoke night, but not a fun working environment. My brain starts to get distracted and sing along, but since it never knows the proper words, it turns into a multitasking disaster.

The competition is fierce out there, no matter what your industry.

From designing an illustrious billboard or scripting a masterpiece of a press release, to innovatively cutting [the right] corners so you stay “in the black” this quarter… one thing remains certain: creativity is a must-have these days, not a luxury.

Creativity block?

Ever leave a brainstorming meeting in the morning, only to have your mind flooded with great ideas later that day, when you are cruising with the windows down and music blasting? It’s just as inevitable as thinking of the perfect ‘comeback’ to a bully an hour after he leaves. Sometimes, it’s unavoidable. But other times, you may be able to tinker with fate by psyching yourself out long enough to plan a preemptive “creativity block” attack.

Try this:

When a client or supervisor requests a brainstorming appointment, request a meeting agenda prior to discussing the project at least three days in advance. Think about the basic project goals for a few minutes, stew over the concepts, and then force it out of your mind. Chances are, random yet relevant ideas will creep their way into your head a day or two later. Whether you were triggered by a song on the radio, the latest reddit post, or a snide comment your barista spewed this a.m., you’ll still have plenty of time to structure your thoughts and prep for the meeting.

While I want to save some good stuff for later, it’s been way too long since I made a lovely list. And I love lists. So, below are a few classic creative quickies:

- Poem journals
- Dream notebooks
- Visual storyboards – Joe Duffy-style http://www.duffy.com/
- Making a home made gift for someone you love (extra points if you have never attempted that particular item before.) I am trying a blanket right now, and so far it’s me: zero, needles: 57. But it will be worth it.  And also recently, created my first YouTube-esque video that is a spoof of a favorite spoof. Just think of the thing that person is very excited about at the moment, pop culture or otherwise, and see how you can “make it your own.”
- Balderdash or Scattergories. These games get your mind going like no other. Don’t knock ‘em til you’ve tried ‘em.
- Reading Shock Therapy. If you typically swoon over Nicholas Sparks romance novels, try to get a thirst for Twilight. If you usually dig humor books like Stephen Colbert, see how quickly you can solve a mystery novel. Switch it up as often as you switch shampoos, and you may be pleased with your shiny new ideas
- Attend those cocktail hours or movie nights that are slightly out of your inner circle. Before declining, ask yourself “why not?” You can learn something new and inspiring every day, if you pay attention. Often in the least likely of people.
- Take a mini notebook attached with a pen with you everywhere. I mean, everywhere. Recently, I captured an idea while cycling at the gym. Had I not recorded it then and there, it may have escaped entirely, since we tend to second guess ourselves about what is “worth” saving or repeating. If you keep your random ideas in this little notebook, you can refer back to it from time to time.

Intimidated that you won’t be able to top your last victory? Thanks to Zen Habits, I found this insightful video on Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love. The last half is my favorite:
Elizbeth Gilbert on Nurturing Creativity on TED, Zen Habits

Ironically, a little bit of insomnia and this post topic inspired the concept of a regular AMUSEing Fridays ~ Weekly Creativity Ideas piece. Here’s to hoping it’s a good omen!

I have pages, doodles and post-its filled with creativity musings, but please feel free to share your own comments, thoughts and musings on the subject.

This year seemed like a bad movie – scary twists, surprising turns, lots of new characters, but not much to be desired for the sequel. Here is to a fresh start in 2009!

So 2008 wasn’t ALL bad. I compiled a quick list of some of my new favorites things…(strictly Web or book related):

- Swaptree.com: check out the simple tutorial to find out how you can dust off old books/movies/etc. and trade them for new (well, once-new) toys. Only pay for shipping, not the actual book.

- Bookmooch.com: Exchange books and earn points to give to charities. Kinda like Netflix, you always have a Wish list with books in queue.

- Splicd.com: Ever try showing friends cool part of YouTube video, only to find yourself waiting in exasperation for the 10-second funny part of 3-minute clip? This very smart idea alleviates such a scenario.

- Flood it!: This.Game.Is.So.Freaking.Addicting. I love, and hate, the creators of this game so much. It’s easily my favorite distraction.

- iGoogle: Yeah, old news to most people, but I just recently got addicted to this uniquely customizable interface. Checking email used to be so tedious, but now I can simultaneously learn a new word, play blackjack, see what movies/concerts are playing, and learn a new joke! I heart my Oscar de la Renta theme, and I hate to admit I check this so often it’s probably unhealthy.

EEK – gotta run, so this will have to be “Part I.” Happy New Year everyone!

If you are like me, and can get easily stressed thinking about what to wear or where to go on this annual holiday, I hope to make it easier for you for offering some quick tips on making the most of your Halloween festivities.

1. To dress up or not dress up? Although some parties make it mandatory to dress up, despite popular belief, it’s not a rule (at most places) for entry. Don’t freak out if you waited til the last minute and the stores are all out of your hair spray paint supply. Either stick some fangs in to shut people up, or don’t worry about it. Warning though, it will be a conversation-starter if you are wanting more attention on Halloween. So if you are an attention-phobe, I’d get out those trusty backup fangs.

2. Ignore the political banter – try your best not to spank the inevitable Sarah Palins shashaying around. Unless it’s your significant other. And then, let’s try to NOT do that out in public.

3. Use your strengths! If you look exactly like Ozzy anyway, go for it! Unfortunately, if you look like him, it will be your one moment to shine in life anything. If you don’t have a resemblance to anyone in particular, a unique costume (the more creative the better) is always key to turning heads. Especially home made outfits! One year I spent more money on my own Rainbow Brite costume that it would have cost to buy the plastic dress at a store. No regrets though, no regrets — had a great time, took some great pics, and won bragging rights fair and square from the “plastic Rainbow B ” that was at the same party.

4. Lead, follow, or get the hell outta the way. (When this isn’t on one of those cheesey office lobby cat-hanging-from-tree posters, this is actually an awesome quote.) If you took it upon yourself to throw a blow out or get together, good for you! If not, then do yourself a favor and go where your friends and favorite people are. Example: this year, everyone seems to be going to a certain Downtown area that we manage to carefully avoid many other nights of the year. However, if that is where the majority of your pals are headed, do yourself a favor and get over it. You will be much happier in the company of friends (even on a grungy stool with stale popcorn and horrible parking) then at a random friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend party where you will receiving picture messages of what Minnie Mouse just did to the fountain, etc. all night. It’s hard to get to know new people when they are in masks or naughty doctor gear. Stick with the golden oldies on this one – just make sure you have a designated driver, not just someone dressed as one.

5. Stay away from a ridiculous amount of “halloween drinks” – as enticing as a licorice bomb or candied corn shot might sound the night before, your tummy will thank you in the morning if you stick with what you know.

6. Don’t ever underestimate the importance of a backup bag – backup bra for girls, and a place to swap out the crazy shoes/wig/ [insert apparel you would only wear only Halloween here] when it’s getting in the way of social activities.

7. Fetch the “schtick”: If all else fails, and your party sucks, or Downtown is awful, suck it up and embrace your “schtik” – Google Halloween costume contests around town to see if you can get some of your costume money back by putting on one hell of a presentation. The dive-y the bar, the better!

Have fun! And I want to know what everyone is being…most creative costume, etc.!