To Patrol or Ride Along

According to the internet, which is infallible, this is the
Grammar Nazis flag. 

As a writer, I feel like people think I spend all my time correcting their grammar in my head. That I'm the ultimate Grammar Nazis just itching for the opportunity to correct and educate the unwashed, unlearned masses. I've even had people apologize to me in notes for their poor spelling and horrible syntax. I assure them, it don't make no difference to me. As long as I can decipher the message, I'm good.

As a matter of fact, I love a natural voice. I find colloquial differences and nuances in speech intriguing. I often fear our obsession with being proper will rid us of our color. We'll all become boring as a news anchor. No accents. No idioms. No fun. All because we're all worried about being judged an idiot. 

And maybe you do judge people on their grammar. Perhaps butchering the rules is like nails on the chalkboard for you. 

Not me. Personally, I can assure you- I'm not judging your language skills. I'm too busy trying to log all the subtleties of your speech into my memory banks. I want to remember the inflections, the creative off-label use of accepted speech, and the non-verbals that go along with the words. 

All of that combined is the cheat I use to give voice to characters and construct their dialogue.

So, here's my opinion in a nut shell: Writers shouldn't be on grammar patrol; we should be on a ride-along. We shouldn't be judging the vernacular, we should be listening and absorbing, packing it away in our brain cells for a rainy day when the muse decides he'll pour a bit of story into our heads. 

If grammar was always king, we'd not have this adorable green guy. 

But I will admit. There are some grammar snafus that will make me giggle. I can't help it. I never claimed to be perfect.

Thanks to our hosts in this weekly check in: Lexa, L.G, and Tonja Drecker

1. I rewrote my first chapter, yet again. I think after 25 tries, I've got it.

2. It rained!! Everything was so dry and crispy, a bit of moisture was a God send.

3. I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow. After attempting to do it myself, some professional help is eagerly anticipated.

Tara Tyler has a new book coming out in four days!!

Amazon ~~~ B&N ~~~ Goodreads

Book Two, SIMULATION
Release date: September 14, 2015

In 2082, androids are an essential part of daily life. Some are helpful, some would make better toasters, and some are so human-like they're creepy. Back in Atlanta, Detective Cooper's latest client has him searching for her boyfriend who she thinks was replaced by a simulation, an illegal clone android. The guy also happens to be a popular new congressman.

To make matters more complicated, Cooper keeps crossing paths with his ex, FBI Agent Geri Harper who is looking for the same guy. As Cooper closes in, Geri is kidnapped. But when she resurfaces in Washington and goes on a killing spree, he knows it isn't her. Now under suspicion himself, Cooper must find the real Geri to prove her innocence, not to mention hunt down the powerful villain behind it all. Never a dull moment.