So you think you can write?

Love these templates at Design Police (found by Mr. Dub)

My dear old friend, The Rookie, invited me to participate in a writing meme. And while I'm not a huge fan of memes - mostly because I never have "10 things you don't know about me" because I'm unfortunately inclined to share EVERYTHING about my life, including bowel issues, with complete strangers - I was very excited about this meme; because something you might not know about me is that I'm obsessed with writing and grammar and love to learn more about what makes someone good at either.

Unfortunately, Rooks already said everything I really wanted to say in her own meme. (And probably much better than I could have, though it was short on constipation references.) But I'll give it a try anyway.


The Rules:
1. List three things that make writing good and powerful.
2. Link back to the person who tagged you.
3. List three things that you believe are necessary to make writing good and powerful.
4. Tag five others and comment at their blog informing them that they’ve been tagged with this meme.


Three Things:

1. Words - Good writers love words. They love the subleties of syntax and appreciate the selection and positioning of words in even the most mundane formats. They like to contemplate the differences between "merit" and "deserve" and are eager to learn new vocabulary and implement it. They also want to place their words appropriately, with proper punctuation serving as the traffic lights in their pen's travels. They know that reading good writing leads to better writing.

2. Brevity - As a frequent user of run-on sentences and paragraphs, I'm truly a kettle calling out black pots. But when I'm writing an article for publication, I'm a stickler for concision. Don't overdo it with the prepositions. Don't repeat yourself for emphasis. Just make your point well and make it fast. Use less words to say more or you just sound lazy or uninformed. Of course, if you are Jane Austen, then to H with it all - tell me all the textural properties of your dear friend's dress' bustle. There is an appropriate time and place for all types of writing, you just have to figure out what they are. (Like blogs ... where punctuation, good writing and brevity are totally optional. Just see my next paragraph!)

3. Genetics - You're not going to want to hear this one if you struggle with writing, but I truly believe that some people are just gifted in writing, just like others are born musicians or shot-putters - though I must admit that being a good writer never really receives the same kind of accolades as being an athlete or artist, probably because it's a quieter talent than others, like tuba playing. But I must say that my writing inclination is inherent. As a young child, I found myself alliterating poems just because it came out that way, not because I knew it was an effective literary devise. (Though it must not be abused, I warn you!) Even today, I often find myself unintentionally imbuing an article with hints of irony or using wordplay without even meaning to do it; it just comes out that way. And while I wish I could take the credit, I come from two very verbal and well-versed parents, both who are the products of parents who were equally talented. (And one great-grandfather who I must brag and say was an LDS apostle and author of many immaculate books.) But lest you fret that you can never be a good writer, I want to remind you that practice does equal perfect, just not prodigy. And I'm certainly not one of those myself. I am constantly recognizing my writing faults by reading other writers who are brilliant.


Oh, and I tag:
1. Any of you who love to write or have an opinion on this thrilling matter.
2. The rest of you.
3. Anyone with green eyes.
4. People with fish.
5. Vern.

He Said/She Said

When it comes to memes, I’m not usually a huge fan. Love to read them, but I’m more of a freestyle writer, or front drawler as they say in the South.

But Mandee begged for a little scoopage into my life via her marriage meme, and I’ve happily complied. Shoot, even Mr. Dub has joined in on the fun … and so we can see the love unfold through three sets of eyes. (Mr. Dub wears glasses.)

Oh, and perhaps I should mention that some of Mr. Dub’s response are pure fiction. He’s a compulsive story teller. I’d call him a liar, but when it comes to true dishonesty I take the cake.

1. Where did you meet your wife/husband?

He said: We were opposing contestants on the hit television show Double Dare.

She said: We met at his house. Mr. R brought me and this gal over to meet some of his buddies, whose floor he occasionally rented for free.

2. What was the first thing you said to your wife/husband?

He said: “…and that’s how you wash a leotard.”

She said: No idea. Probably, “Hi! I’m Miss Ess.” But my first thought was, “Great. A tall guy with blonde, curly hair. He’s going to fall madly in love with me.” (I was a magnet for blonde ‘fros for some reason.) So I told myself, “Avoid this guy at all costs. This year it’s all about dark, straight hair.”

3. Where was your first date?

He said: Chuck E Cheese’s. It was a night of blissful cardboard pizza, creepy animatronic characters and frolicking through the pit of plastic balls.

She said: Um, depends on your definition of a date. There was our first solo hangout when we drove around Provo pulling pranks on our friends in his sweet ride. (Also known as the “TUBU” – Taur-Us By-Us.) And the time that he took me to see a movie - opened doors for me, paid for my orange chicken – all with his two buddies in tow. Or the pivotal night we talked until 3 in the morning and I thought, “Hot darn, maybe I should like this Dub dude.” But if you consider a date to be a one-on-one, official-request-for-an-outing kind of experience … that probably came a good year after we met, long after we’d first kissed and well after the monster truck rally, which was the true highlight of our courtship. (Something about destruction really brings out my romantic side.)

4. Where was your first kiss?

He said: In the tunnel by the bell tower at BYU. We had just finished participating in the fabled “tunnel singing.” Romantic, I know.

She said: First, long-awaited, Does this guy really like girls kiss was outside his house, next to my car. He walked me out and got The Look in his eye. Before we kissed I said, “I can’t believe after all this time we’re finally going to do this.” But the first, actually-leading-to-a-relationship kiss was in his parents’ basement after I delivered a rousing ultimatum speech. To this day I’m not sure if he actually agreed to my terms or just wanted a little nooky.

5. Did you have a long or short engagement/courtship?

He said: Short engagement but long courtship. There was that whole time working in my father-in-law’s blacksmith shop to earn his approval. It was worth it. I left with a new skill, the right to marry Mrs. Dub and a love for anvils.

She said: Looooong courtship. I won’t go into the boring details, but needless to say there was hesitance, a secret girlfriend and a confession of my love left on his bed at 6 in the morning. And, yes, I’m still embarrassed about it. But once we got on the same page, it was five months to engagement and another four to our wedding day.

6. Where did you get engaged?

He said: I proposed at sea. That sounds like a joke but it is the truth. I was on one knee on a rock that was a few feet into the Pacific Ocean.

She said: Officially, on his kitchen floor at 3 in the morning. We were kind of talking in code so when the conversation ended I had to clarify by asking, “Did we just decide to get married?” But the ring and bended knee scene took place a couple months later out on a rock in the Pacific Ocean when I least expected it. (And, yes, he waded out there with the ring unsecured in his pocket. I’ve almost forgiven him.)

7. Where did you get married?

He said: We were married in Mesa, Arizona on the hottest day in September. 110 degrees + black tux = one very sweaty, idyllic day.

She said: Mesa, Arizona LDS temple. And for the record, the weather almanac said the high temperature was typically 88 degrees on September 27. Unfortunately, the high was 110 that day. I apologize to everyone who had heat stroke. It’s called water, people.

8. How did the reception go?

He said: Lots of smiling, glad-handing and mini beef Wellingtons.

She said: Don’t really remember it to be honest, but it looks nice in pictures. Except that the pictures didn’t really turn out. But if you kind of squint your eyes when you look at them, it looks amazing.

9. How was the honeymoon?

He said: The scenery was majestic; although it was not utilized to its fullest extent – for many reasons.

She said: Mellow. And no, I’m not giving you any more details than that. But I will say that we stayed at a beach house on a Northern California cliff. For free. So you can’t really argue with that. (Seriously, I’ll fight you.)

Tag time: I insta-tag you all. Link to your blog and post your own He said/She said accounts of your courtship. Or drag it out into a week of posts if you want to share the juicy details.