Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Lex Friedman, creator of Lex.games and a linguistics enthusiast, discusses his journey from a puzzle lover to a puzzle maker. He reveals the creative process behind designing daily word games, blending automation with manual efforts. Lex shares insights on player feedback, the balance of engagement versus difficulty, and the impact of audience connection on game design. The challenges of making games accessible and the joy they bring to users are also explored, making this a fascinating dive into the world of word puzzles.

Discover the intriguing origins of 'toe the line' and unravel the common spelling confusion. Dive into the world of metonymy and synecdoche, two literary devices that can elevate your writing. Exploring the power of metaphors, listeners will learn how careful language choice can resonate deeply with audiences. Personal anecdotes add a touch of warmth, urging everyone to reflect on their unique family phrases and dialects. Unveiling the art of language has never been more engaging!

Rob Meyerson, author of the playful book 'AB@C,' teams up with Dan Misdea, a New Yorker cartoonist known for his humor and creativity. They dive into the quirky world of gramograms—innovative wordplay using letters and symbols. The duo shares their journey of blending visual art with language, recounting the unique creative processes behind their illustrations. They explore the parallels between personalized license plates and gramograms, showcasing the fun in decoding language and the joy that cartoons can bring to words.

Discover the quirky world of repeated words like 'salad-salad,' revealing their unique meanings. Celebrate National Puzzle Day with a dive into the rich history of jigsaw puzzles and playful terms such as 'whimsy' and 'puzzband.' Learn about the evolution of puzzling vocabulary and how it reflects a passion for this pastime. Enjoy a light-hearted exploration of language that connects playfulness with deeper cultural themes!

In this engaging discussion, Wendy Dale, author of 'The Memoir Engineering System,' dives into the art of memoir writing. She distinguishes memoirs from autobiographies, emphasizing strong narrative structure. Wendy shares tips on crafting vivid scenes and how to create coherence in your story through outlining. She also tackles the emotional hurdles of writing about sensitive topics, advocating for honesty and care in storytelling. Whether you’re writing memoirs or fiction, her insights are invaluable for any writer.

Dive into the quirky history of quotation marks, revealing their unexpected origins and humorous evolution. Discover the art of starting stories in the middle with the engaging 'in medias res' technique that hooks readers right from the action. Explore the unique family vocabulary created during a memorable road trip, inviting listeners to share their own special words. This lively discussion connects grammar, storytelling, and shared experiences in a delightful exploration of language.

Ellen Jovin, author of "Rebel with a Clause" and creator of a unique grammar table project, shares her journey of connecting with people about language across the U.S. Brandt Johnson, her filmmaker husband, discusses the documentary inspired by this endeavor. They explore how grammar conversations can build emotional connections and recount heartwarming moments from their travels. The challenges and joys of filmmaking, especially during the pandemic, bring a relatable touch to their storytelling, making grammar feel both fun and essential.

Discover the fascinating world of capitonyms—words that change meaning when capitalized, enriching our understanding of language. Dive into the history behind the iconic phrase 'the State of the Union is strong' and uncover its evolution over time. Hear a delightful listener story about the family term 'Nee Nee', celebrating creativity during the holidays. This episode blends linguistics with personal anecdotes, making language both fun and relatable.

1046. Jennifer Lynn Barnes, author of the "Inheritance Games" books, discusses how writing from different points of view can help readers connect with characters in different ways. We also talked about her book recommendations, and how the "Grey's Anatomy" pilot surprised her by having almost all the elements she had identified as important for the success of novels.🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Brannan GoetschiusAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonMarketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina TomlinDigital Operations Specialist: Holly HutchingsMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media Links: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.

1045. A listener asked if the song "The Wizard and I" should actually be "The Wizard and Me," so we look at how you can tell. And then we look at interesting idioms about familiar places: "neck of the woods," "stomping grounds," and "haunts."The "neck of the woods" segment was written by Karen Lunde, a former Quick and Dirty Tips editor who has crafted hundreds of articles on the art of writing well. She was an online education pioneer, founding one of the first online writing workshops. These days, she provides writing tips and writing coach services at HelpMeWriteBetter.com.Find the  "Wicked" grammar quiz at the bottom of this page: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/wicked-movie-grammar-wizard-and-i/🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat.🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter.🔗 Take our advertising survey. 🔗 Get the edited transcript.🔗 Get Grammar Girl books. 🔗 Join Grammarpalooza. Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts or Subtext. Learn more about the difference. | HOST: Mignon Fogarty| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.Audio Engineer: Dan FeierabendDirector of Podcast: Brannan GoetschiusAdvertising Operations Specialist: Morgan ChristiansonMarketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina TomlinDigital Operations Specialist: Holly HutchingsMarketing and Video: Nat Hoopes| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.| Grammar Girl Social Media Links: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook.Threads. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon. Bluesky.