tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post8316726618097180979..comments2024-03-04T04:08:39.755-08:00Comments on The Fies Files: Mr. Language PersonBrian Fieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16347700145666751363noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-21655501294806071922013-08-16T08:21:41.669-07:002013-08-16T08:21:41.669-07:00Dave, what a nice note. Thanks, and I'm sorry ...Dave, what a nice note. Thanks, and I'm sorry to hear about your mother. I'm like you in that, as time passes, almost all of my memories of Mom are the good ones.<br /><br />I don't really have any copies of the book sitting around to sell to people, but I'd be very happy to mail you a signed bookplate for yours, if you do buy it. E-mail me your address at brianfies@gmail.com and I'll get it in the mail ASAP.<br /><br />Your last question about character vs. story is a big one I'm not sure I'm qualified to answer. It's more than I can bite off in a post comment but I think it'd be a good post. If I think I have something to say, I'll write it up in the next day or two. Meanwhile, I can only encourage you to tell your story however you can, and get it out into the world. <br /><br />The best part of writing is connecting with "kindred spirits" who get what you're trying to do. I'm really glad you found my work, thanks again.Brian Fieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16347700145666751363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-28896510129247552802013-08-15T14:00:26.840-07:002013-08-15T14:00:26.840-07:00Or, is it? ;-)
Actually, Brian, it is all in go...Or, is it? ;-)<br /><br />Actually, Brian, it is all in good fun. I cannot remember when I first stumbled upon your blog, but it must be a few years ago, now. I feel we are kindred spirits with common interests ... illustration and space being at the top of the list. <br /><br />I love reading about your adventures with your daughters on the USS Hornet. I have been intrigued by the subject matter of W(E)HTTWOT and I would be thrilled to get a signed copy. I was at the 1964/5 World's Fair in New York, and I retain special memories only as small vignetted pictures culled from my four-to-five year old mind's eye. I have driven hundreds of miles to see a museum exhibit called "Yesterday's Tomorrows". The idea of what the future used to be never gets old to me.<br /><br />I, too, have experienced the loss of my mother due to cancer. This, too, was many years ago, so the joyful memories have long since returned to overshadow the ones that are less so. I recommended "Mom's Cancer" to a friend who recently underwent treatment. She was very appreciative. So, thank you.<br /><br />I have had plans for many years to write my own educational books for children about space and science. I enjoy your insights on how you design your characters. I expect I will be referring to your writings again and again. I will admit that although I have come up with original character designs, I do have trouble giving them stories. You might say that I would be better off approaching things in the reverse order - story first, characters second - and I would probably agree that it may lead to better success. But, what is a visually motivated person to do? Perhaps you have some of your own insights to share on this subject, as well.<br /><br />I look forward to enjoying future posts on this site ... and, yes, to reading your creation of story and art, as well.Davehttp://daveginsberg.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-21976499656318729672013-08-15T11:52:36.445-07:002013-08-15T11:52:36.445-07:00It's my editor's fault.It's my editor's fault.Brian Fieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16347700145666751363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-23677522577268905332013-08-15T11:14:01.234-07:002013-08-15T11:14:01.234-07:00Whatever word or words you want to use, whether it...Whatever word or words you want to use, whether it is "whatever" or "what ever" - whenever you want to - is your prerogative as the creator, author, (Oxford) and illustrator of the book; to whichever you prefer to be referred.<br /><br />But, reliable internet sources say that "whatever" means "no matter what", and "what ever" is used to express a question about a period of time (e.g. "What ever happened?").<br /><br />Whatever … <br /><br />I think I will still buy your book. <br /><br />And, no, I will not cut the cover up to put an additional space in the title. Or will I?<br />Davehttp://daveginsberg.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-31186255312318481782013-08-15T08:41:52.409-07:002013-08-15T08:41:52.409-07:00Sherwood: It does seem like a question should end ...Sherwood: It does seem like a question should end with a question mark, doesn't it? But they're so intrusive!<br /><br />Dave: "Whatever" is a word! Now you're filling my head with confusion and doubt. If necessary I'll blame Editor Charlie, who thought of the title.Brian Fieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16347700145666751363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-25169291080611725102013-08-14T23:35:50.135-07:002013-08-14T23:35:50.135-07:00Hey, what a sec .... I just noticed ...
Shouldn&#...Hey, what a sec .... I just noticed ...<br /><br />Shouldn't that have been "What Ever" instead of "Whatever"?Davehttp://daveginsberg.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-2029338877192779992013-08-14T23:27:12.222-07:002013-08-14T23:27:12.222-07:00Two words: Orientate :: Bleh!
Odd that I would ch...Two words: Orientate :: Bleh!<br /><br />Odd that I would choose this post on which to comment, from the dozens I've read to date. I believe you've found a button. <br /><br />Now, I will go buy a copy of Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow? Or, will I?Davehttp://daveginsberg.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-67046700817941746072013-08-11T08:20:29.621-07:002013-08-11T08:20:29.621-07:00... and I sincerely apologize for the modestly agg...... and I sincerely apologize for the modestly aggravating adverbs in that last comment.Sherwood Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09575868746160608731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-91002380940337864222013-08-11T08:18:45.886-07:002013-08-11T08:18:45.886-07:00I, for one, deeply appreciate the question mark at...I, for one, deeply appreciate the question mark at the end of your second book's title. Otherwise, I'd have three things I like dearly whose titles give me a tic (the other two are "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit.)Sherwood Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09575868746160608731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-24604762495953162462013-08-09T10:30:00.931-07:002013-08-09T10:30:00.931-07:00Me too, Jim. Me too.Me too, Jim. Me too.Brian Fieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16347700145666751363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-88775698994035279392013-08-09T09:47:39.949-07:002013-08-09T09:47:39.949-07:00My language tic begins and ends with "utilize...My language tic begins and ends with "utilize," the hobgoblin of the Business School set. How many technical reports and requirements definition papers are littered with "utilize" on every page? Why is "use" gathering dust while "utilize" blankets the business-sphere? <br /><br />I must pause. "Utilize" gives me a Herbert-Lom-in-Pink-Panther-movies twitch.Jim O'Kanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01806624628546492210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-74178042594337320942013-08-09T08:13:11.517-07:002013-08-09T08:13:11.517-07:00Walter, I like your closing quote very much. Thank...Walter, I like your closing quote very much. Thanks.<br /><br />Karen, I fear the "less/fewer" fight is on its way to the Hall of Lost Causes, though I'm still doing my part when I can. "You and I" is a sad case in which I think people have been so browbeaten into believing that "you and me" is wrong they're afraid to use it even when it's right. And how about the surge of "myself" when a modest little "me" would do just fine? I confess that day to day it's probably the simple pronouns that trip me up the most. Thanks for reading and commenting!Brian Fieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16347700145666751363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-53045726249216540612013-08-09T07:29:59.907-07:002013-08-09T07:29:59.907-07:00What a wonderful post. I hate myself for not bein...What a wonderful post. I hate myself for not being able to let these things go by, but I try not to be a humorless pedant about it (that's just about me--I'm not implying that YOU were, nor should you infer that).<br /><br />But the two that drive me craziest, because they appear to have been embraced by advertising copywriters and television screenwriters, are:<br />1) less vs fewer (You'll stop less times for gasoline with our new efficient engine), and <br />2) overcorrecting to "you and I" when referring to the object rather than the subject: "like you and I," "between you and I," "for you and I." <br /><br />I have to confess these are like nails on a blackboard for me.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01288100796201737845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-62376499314813635662013-08-08T17:09:12.218-07:002013-08-08T17:09:12.218-07:00Strunk and White is smug when it isn't wrong, ...Strunk and White is smug when it isn't wrong, and it is mostly prescriptive. Useless for teaching writers. Bleah.<br /><br />I prefer the more detailed and constructive "Style: Toward Clarity and Grace" by Joseph M. Williams. That will tell you when passive is preferred, rather than slandering one voice without evidence.<br /><br />"Hopefully" is a far more complicated case than you might think. The "evaluative 'hopefully'" serves a good purpose in English and has for quite a while.<br /><br />As this Language Log article says (and you should be reading Language Log), "And if you give up a useful word because a few ignorant people will tut-tut you, the crazies win."<br /><br />http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=3983Walter Underwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01383958968974740318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-58690110758245915662013-08-08T15:35:54.400-07:002013-08-08T15:35:54.400-07:00I don't know...are you sure that Rachel Ray he...I don't know...are you sure that Rachel Ray headline isn't accurate as is? She's got a look in her eyes.... <br /><br />I saw that Onion piece! It's funny because it's true (I hate those Chicago Manual guys). Thanks, Jonas.Brian Fieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16347700145666751363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-81296616852394693632013-08-08T15:13:38.714-07:002013-08-08T15:13:38.714-07:00My favorite example of the need for commas is the ...My favorite example of the need for commas is the magazine headline: "Rachael Ray finds inspiration in cooking her family and her dog." <br /><br />Also check out the hilarious Onion story from earlier this year about rival gangs fighting over grammar usage, with the headline: "4 Copy Editors Killed in Ongoing AP Style, Chicago Manual Gang Violence." It's at: http://www.theonion.com/articles/4-copy-editors-killed-in-ongoing-ap-style-chicago,30806/Jonasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-55941249073797930732013-08-08T15:01:53.699-07:002013-08-08T15:01:53.699-07:00And yeah, the obvious hazard of writing something ...And yeah, the obvious hazard of writing something like this is that a joyless pedant will come along and circle all your errors. Let me try to head that off now: if you do that I'm not impressed, I don't like you, and you should read some other blog. Bleh!Brian Fieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16347700145666751363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-85312230633168957792013-08-08T14:32:27.878-07:002013-08-08T14:32:27.878-07:00Here we go: Mark Twain on adverbs:
"I am dea...Here we go: Mark Twain on adverbs:<br /><br />"I am dead to adverbs; they cannot excite me. To misplace an adverb is a thing which I am able to do with frozen indifference; it can never give me a pang."<br /><br />Elsewhen:<br /><br />"If you see an adverb, kill it."Brian Fieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16347700145666751363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-44594277154382663902013-08-08T14:29:04.166-07:002013-08-08T14:29:04.166-07:00Anon, my secret soul mate, will you still love me ...Anon, my secret soul mate, will you still love me after I confess I can't reciprocate your feelings about split infinitives? "To boldly go" cannot be improved. However, as someone whose last names ends in "es," I'm entirely aboard your proper plural possessive train. I hope that's enough to keep the flames of our passion alive. <br /><br />Linda, I like King on adverbs, too--I think Twain wrote something similar--but apply it more as a guideline than a rule. Sometimes you just need an adverb, I said hopefully.Brian Fieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16347700145666751363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-69147296892194196312013-08-08T14:22:26.122-07:002013-08-08T14:22:26.122-07:00I'm a big fan of Stephan King's On Writing...I'm a big fan of Stephan King's On Writing. I especially love his war on adverbs. If you need to modify the verb, then pick a better verb. <br /><br />I have to admit that I am intimidated responding to a post such as this. I have double checked my comment to ensure that it is alright.Linda Wilhelmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635971248153659764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1568334561722760329.post-76949931114144245262013-08-08T13:28:54.842-07:002013-08-08T13:28:54.842-07:00Brian Fies, once more you show your true colors. Y...Brian Fies, once more you show your true colors. You are actually a secret English professor and my soul mate. I love this post. But you didn't talk about these obsessions of mine: The Anderson's (when it is the house sign for some people named Anderson); "to better serve" (aargh: spit infinitive) or "to better understand"; and the final one, "I am pursuing a graduate degree." Why, is it running away from you? <br />From your secret admirer and soul mate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com