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Writers On The Move: Diagramming for Grammar

How many of you remember diagramming sentences in elementary school? Where you shuffled, with great trepidation, to the chalkboard to draw a straight line and bisect it to show the “subject” (noun) and “predicate” (verb). And then the diagonal line(s) underneath one or more of those words to show “modifiers.” I have to make a confession—I liked diagramming. Although some have likened it to a mathematical equation, I see it more as putting pieces into a jigsaw puzzle (I’m not mathematically inclined, but I do like puzzles). It is easy enough to figure out “The horse galloped” or “The cat hissed.” But what about “John’s horse galloped around the paddock and then ran into the woods.” Oh my. Now you’re getting into lines underneath the lines beneath the subject/predicate line. And where does “around the paddock” go? OK, maybe that’s easy enough (under the verb galloped seems logical). But where does the rest of it go? And why do we care? Do we need to know how an airplane i

How to Sell Yourself Workshop

    How to Sell Yourself with VS Grenier   This workshop is my most requested for writing conferences and by writing groups. Description: It‘s more than writing a good story or article when it comes to being noticed by publishers and editors. Think about it, how many bad books are out there making money? How many awful articles have you read in recent publications? Do you wonder how these writers are getting published and you’re not? Do you think it has to do with the catch 22 system? In some ways, it does, but knowing how to sell yourself is key. You’re not just a writer . . . you’re a Salesman! And the product you’re selling is Yourself! As writers, we are a product, not just our books. Many writers aren't successful because they don't know how to sell themselves; let a lone their writing. This online course is 10 weeks long and includes a teleclass. All assignments will be sent via email by the instructor. Course starts September 11, 2011 and ends Noember 13, 2