Two Things I’m Very Pleased With
February 8, 2010
I had a trickle of projects coming through last year, two of my favourite pieces are the stuff I did for Studio Yolk and Happenings in Sarawak. 
You can read the article for Happenings in Sarawak here. Gratitude and acknowledgements go to the good folks at Studio Yolk, iVoq Concept, Georgette Tan and Angie of Happenings in Sarawak for welcoming me on to the projects.
They were really fun to do, and I enjoyed working on them immensely; and that is entirely why I do freelance writing.
I look forward to new writing adventures this year.
My joint project with Studio Yolk (courtesy of the Sarawak Convention Bureau)…
The Old Lady Who Lived in a Flat
December 18, 2009
There lived an old lady who stayed in a flat
Who had nobody but a big old fat cat
Two dogs and a flea and a battered old hat
And of course the two flat owners
Who acted like they owned her
Her heart was gold
And filled with kindness
That’s how the girl next door
Was drawn from her shyness
They talked about everything
From dogs to flowers
From gardening and fish
To bright giant towers
But one day the old lady
Came running, crying
“They’ve kicked me out
They don’t want me about
For I’m old and useless
And slow and worthless
I am off now, I don’t know where
Remember me, dear, remember our days
Remember also people’s unkind ways”
There was an old lady who used to be there
Who had nobody but a big old fat cat
Two dogs and a flea and a battered old hat
And of course the two flat owners
Who finally disowned her
*Hmm…the Wordsmith is a lot of things, but poet she ain’t.*
Pic: The old lady’s flowers.
English in the 21st Century
September 6, 2009
To boldly go where no man has gone before….. but really, if I had a choice, I’d rather that I go boldly where no man has gone before.
Traveler or traveller?
There’s rumor of humor, but I think I shall humour the rumour.
To split or not to split, that is the question…of infinitives.
The Queen’s English, American English, ghetto speak, Singlish, Manglish, Indian English, Australian, Canadian…… My professors were Australian, my ex-boss was British (she tells me Australian’s can’t speak English), my big big boss is American and I live in an ex-British colony where everybody mixes up their verbs and nouns whether in American, English, Australian or what have you. What is a writer to do with all these varieties in spelling and style?
And don’t get me started on punctuation.
Here’s how I survive:
- I tend to use the Queen’s English in all forms and functions, simply because I was weaned on it.
- Having said that, once you learn how to string two sentences together, store it away and develop your own style.
- If you’re doing a publication for a client, check with them what sort of English they prefer. Some will come back with all sorts of typos pointed out to you and it turns out that they were using a different spell-checker. It can be embarrassing. Trust me, I learned this the hard way recently. If they have no preference, use whatever is usual for you.
- Check spelling. I’m often guilty of not doing this when I’m in a rush.
- Re-read. I’m also guilty of not doing this when in hurry.
- Remember how the teacher always said not to start a sentence with ‘And’ or ‘But’? Chuck that out the window.
- Write with your heart. That’s how you connect.
- It’s all about rhythm. Feel it, move with it, develop your own groove.
- Re-read.
- Rules are meant to be broken.
- Be consistent. Once you have started on a project, keep a notepad beside you and take notes on your approach.
- Short sentences at all times.
- Verbosity is NOT a virtue.
- CHECK SPELLING.
- RE-READ.
And the most important thing of the lot, ENJOY YOURSELF.
Now get writing.