Booking Through Thursday (BTT) ~ Manual Labor
May 8, 2008 at 10:27 am | In Books, LIfe, Reading | 7 CommentsTags: Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird, Booking Through Thursday, Eats Shoots and Leaves, how-to manuals, Lynne Truss, technical writing
I’ve been seeing these a lot lately, so I’ve decided to join some of my favorite book blogging buddies.
There is a part of me that longs to write a novel. I wrote my first short story in the second grade and I still proudly remember how my mother typed it up – exactly how I spelled everything (I remember because being spelled incorrectly – but I can’t remember how). It was about a lazy cat who almost gets kicked out of the family for not catching mice before he becomes the cat he ought to be. I read it in front of my class. So, I do have several how-to writing guides. I get suckered into them and never get further than about 50 pages. There is one exception. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott is incredible.
As a (now former) technical writer, I have bought several manuals of style, etc., that I’ve read at least part of for work. There is one grammar-related book that I’ve bought and am about a third of the way through that is absolutely fabulous and hilarious – and yes, it’s about grammar – Eats, Shoots, and Leaves by Lynne Truss. I’m rather behind the curve on this one as it was published a while back now. The good thing is that you can purchase it relatively cheaply at this point. I would highly recommend it thus far. I can’t imagine how the author would critique my blog… Scary. I know I don’t meet her standards. 
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Yay! I’m one of your favorite book blogging buddies!
Comment by Devourer of Books — May 8, 2008 #
I have got to read Eats, Shoots & Leaves. Love the name of your blog. I’m one too
Comment by Chris@bookarama — May 8, 2008 #
Love the story behind your first story…too cute!
Comment by deb — May 8, 2008 #
Do you still have that story?!
My BTT post!
Comment by gautami tripathy — May 8, 2008 #
Dev – You know you are!!!
Chris – thanks so much! I’ve registered Literatehousewife.com and am planning on making the graphics pictures of housewives in the midst of cleaning while reading a book. I hope I can find someone to work with on that. I just need someone with the vision…
Deb and Gautami, my mother gave me the typed out sheet at some point and I have no idea where it is. Someday I’m going to find it in an unexpected place. If I do find it, I’ll be sure to post it.
Comment by Literate Housewife — May 8, 2008 #
I want to read the cat story too!
Comment by chartroose — May 8, 2008 #
I’ve only read a little of Eats, Shoots and Leaves and though it’s funny I also found it intimidating! I don’t think I would write anything if I was worrying too much about my grammar.
Comment by Jan — May 8, 2008 #