A GOOD MEETING

January 18^, 2017

Our meeting was a good one. We opened with a discussion about grammar. When is good grammar needed, when can it be corrupted, and when do we simply throw the rules out the window?

Oh Boy, did that ever open the proverbial can of worms and was fun. Hard-core grammar aficionados insist the proper use of English be employed always; those who tend to write for more commercial reasons often adhere to the premise grammar can be corrupted for a less rigid style making it more appealing to less discerning readers.

Fiction Writers tended to fall into the latter group and even went as far as supporting the idea grammar could be dispensed with when writing dialog. While, Essayist, Non-Fiction Authors, and Report Writers were more supportive of using proper grammar. Concessions were made by both school and even the hard core “grammarians admitted there are times when circumstances allow some deviation from the rules.

No hard and fast methods were agreed upon but, the general consensus was, let the author do as he or she sees fit and the readers will make the decision to read or not to read, all the while remembering not to stray too far from the accepted norm of grammar’s influence.

Oh, by the way, our Poets looked at the whole thing as an exercise worth noting but said,

Matters not if you get it right

We will not change the world tonight

But if we study hard and are not Cheaters

We will soon find the proper meters

As our discussion closed we were privileged to hear some fine examples of work from our members. Each of the pieces drew comments and ideas from the listeners. As always, the comments were valuable and aimed toward helping the author better the work.

I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting, Wednesday, Feb 1^st, 2017 in the Nokomis Fire House training room.

Our topic for discussion will be; DO OUR FEELINGS GUIDE WHAT WE WRITE? This comes to us inspired by an article in the WALL STREET JOURNAL published on Dec. 3^rd and 4^th by Robert M. Sapolski, entitled Laughter Is the Best Medicine to Gauge Social Ties; suggested by Ernie Ovitz.

It sounds like fun to me.

Write till it hurts;

Rod