Show Notes
We’ve just been in a hot air balloon and be warned, we rave about it for quite a lot of minutes before we get into this week’s episode—an enthusiastic chat about grammar. Does it matter? Is it elitist? Should we throw the whole lot in the bin? And what does it all mean for marginalized writers? Tune in and find out what it’s like being in a hot air balloon, what Joe thinks about class and grammar and cutlery, and why Vicky thinks the publishing industry desperately needs more people who don’t look like her.
Key Points
- [1:00] Vicky and Joe woke up really early today and jumped into a hot air balloon!
- [04:15] Joe gave up reading The Pillow Book. He found it culturally difficult to connect with it.
- [05:25] Joe moved on to reading Boyhood, Childhood, Youth and Vicky asks him if he is enjoying this one.
- [06:55] Georgia Pritchett is such a sparse writer and Vicky just gushes about her!
- [07:50] Is grammar elitist? Vicky talks about the article she read by Leone Ross.
- [11:30] As long as the meaning comes across, the grammar really doesn’t matter. Vicky expounds on this further.
- [15:05] People in the marketing industry say you should write like you speak but Vicky disagrees.
- [16:35] Grammar rules are there for clarity but the main point is to be understood by the person you are writing to and for.
- [18:05] Part of the snobbishness of grammar is the rejection of the unfamiliar and unwillingness to change.
- [19:00] Vicky talks about the podcast, The Allusionist, where they interviewed somebody from Iceland and how their language has changed.
- [20:50] The world is changing and for a language to survive, it has to change with it.
- [21:20] What’s the point of this episode? Vicky shares the dreams of her future publishing business.
- [23:45] Whatever language we’re using to write, we need to be skilled in it and that’s not being elitist.
- [26:05] Vicky shares how Leone Ross summed up her article and why she really likes it.
- [27:30] Broaden your horizons and accept that there are voices different from your own. Let it go and rather focus on honing your skills in writing.
- [29:00] Vicky is looking for two people to work with for her next six month creative book coaching program!
Mentioned in This Episode:
The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon
Boyhood, Childhood, Youth by Leo Tolstoy
The Great Hunt: Book Two of ‘The Wheel of Time’ by Robert Jordan
My Mess is A Bit Of A Life by Georgia Pritchett
Is Grammar Elitist? By Leone Ross – Mslexia Magazine
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
Email Vicky about 1:1 coaching at: vicky@moxiebooks.co.uk
Want to know more? I’ve written a book, you know. You can get your mitts on it here.
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If you want to learn more about how to write, self-publish, and market a book for your business, snaffle yourself a copy of How The Hell Do You Write A Book? Then check out the blog and podcast for more articles and guides. If you want a little (or a lot) more help, find out how you can work with me.
About Vicky…
Vicky Fraser is the founder of Moxie Books and author of How The Hell Do You Write A Book and Business For Superheroes. She helps business owners write life-changing books, connect with readers and new customers, and grow their businesses. When she’s not doing that, she’s hanging from a trapeze by her feet.
