I have stumbled upon a great podcast called the “Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing.” This is the first (and only) podcast that I have subscribed to, but I wanted to make sure that I shared it with you. (First blogging, now podcasts…what’s next?)
If you feel like you need a little extra help with your own grammar or usage, or you just happen love grammar as so many of us do, you should check it out. The useful tips, which are easy to follow and remember, are explained and read by Mignon Fogarty. There is also a recently published book by this author and a website if you would like more information: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/default.aspx.
The last podcast was about the differences between ensure, insure, and assure. At the end of the podcast, there was an announcement for a story contest from a bookstore in Reno, Nevada. The contest is to write a spooky story in 250 words or less. You can get more information about the contest by clicking this link: http://sundancebookstore.com/htdocs/Pages/spooky_fiction.html. I think I will give it a try. If nothing else it is a good exercise in being concise! I may even encourage some of my students to enter a story.
Good luck!
~Melissa 🙂
Melissa Morris Inoa🌱 
Ahh yes, good ole’ Grammer-Girl, she’s really good at what she does and how she presents it. Btw, under iTunes’ Free Section, there’s a 9-minute Audiobook sample of her hot-selling book. It’s something that may also interest you. If you check it out, let me know how you liked/disliked it.
As for the contest, good luck (and I wish your students luck as well if they enter). I remember when I was younger and wrote my first scary story for a contest…it was good (everyone loved the plot twist at the end), but not good enough to go far into the contest because the competition was sooooo plentiful. 😦 😆
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Hi, I actually found out about the podcast through the free excerpt on iTunes…you never know what you will find there…always check out the free stuff!
The excerpt is a lot like the podcast itself.
Too bad about your story…did you write it in under 250 words…that’s the hardest part!
~Melissa 🙂
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Hi! “I am the only author of the dictonary that defines me”-Star Jones
I need help writing, lol I am going to read your blogs for help.
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Yep, iTunes “Free” section, is great…they feature a lot of new artists (many of whom are actually pretty good), TV Show premieres (many times it’s the full episode too), and even the occasional Audiobook (like with Grammar Girl). I subscribed to her awhile ago (she’s a natural teacher), but never gave much thought to her book. When I downloaded the free sample, it just may have convinced me to buy the full version (it’s kond’a like the Pro-version of her Podcast).
I honesty can’t remember. Iit was a short-story category, but I kept to a page minimum moreso than a number minimum to make sure quality wasn’t lost.
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