Rules of Writing

I’ve read an article entitled '12 1/2 Rules for Writing'. One of the rules said you must write everyday in order to improve your writing skills. The article goes on to say a writer reads, a writer reads a lot, a writer reads ‘all the time’. I’ve started doing something else the article suggested. I’m developing a list of words ‘that I like’. I’ve always had favorite words, but I’ve never developed a list of them. Now I am.

Don’t you just love some of these words? Words like beaucoup and poppycock for example. The trick is to find opportunities to use these words in my writing. I look forward to the time I’m able to use feckless and rectitude for example. I’ve always been fascinated with words, their origins, and of course their definitions. I think I’ve found a new hobby!

I was reading about psychological testing. They discussed ‘illusory superiority’ and ‘illusory inferiority’. These two fancy sounding words, are of course juxtaposed. Illusory superiority defines a person who believes they are far more competent than they really are. Illusory inferiority, as you’ve probably deduced, is quite the opposite. This humble individual (I can’t help thinking of myself), believes they aren’t nearly as competent as those around them when they really are. I believe I fall on both sides of these definitions.

Today I drove to Wana RV. We bought our Sunset Trail trailer from them in late 2006. My reason for visiting Wana was to determine if they would make some repairs on our trailer. They wrote up a work order to handle the repairs in May. While there I couldn’t resist taking a look at some of the newest models. They had quite an inventory. There must have been 40 trailers and 5th wheels on their lot. Makes me think people are coming back to RVing. For a rainy and cool day, there were quite a few people looking.

Tomorrow we’re going to Stow, OH and staying with my sister-in-law, Carol, for a few days. Anytime Mary Ellen and I take a road trip you can count on a Casino being involved. This trip is no different. It seems Carol has a ‘comped room’ at the Mountaineer in West Virginia. While Mary and Carol are at the casino, I will be helping my sister Pat sort thru pictures and clippings in an effort to narrow down her collection to a workable amount and eliminate some of the clutter that’s starting to overwhelm her. When I get back home, I have to do the same with the ‘clutter’ of my own!

We're in Stow now. My favorite sister-in-law really caters to me. She had a bag of cheese popcorn waiting for me along with a good bar of my favorite soap for the shower. Of course there were small bagels, peanut butter and orange juice. What more could a guy ask for. She's far too nice to me, but then I deserve it.

The news from the 'casino twins' is not good. When they quit gambling at 9 p.m. last night, I knew things were in the deficit column. They will return to Stow today, assuming they still have an automobile. If they call and ask me to pick them up at the bus station, I'll know things are even worse than I thought!

I've written enough. Rule 13 is: "know when to quit".

jim