Alex

Vague Pronoun Reference

 Writing  Comments Off on Vague Pronoun Reference
Feb 132012
 

Back to the topic of vague pronoun reference, a topic that is near and dear to my temper… er… heart.

Vague pronoun reference may also be caused by either a hidden or non-existent antecedent.  Randy called Eben’s phone but he didn’t answer.  The he definitively refers to Eben but the only two nouns are Randy and the phone, which has no capability of answering by itself.  (I wish my phone would do that!)

The solutions are the same as when too many antecedents are used: either substitute a noun for the pronoun or rework the sentence. Randy called Eben’s phone but Eben didn’t answer or Randy called Eben but no one answered the telephone.  These grammatical mistakes are fairly easy to fix and anyone who wants to write well should take the time to do so!

Fur Seal on Paulet Island

Fur Seal on Paulet Island

 Posted by at 7:45 pm

Book Signing 2

 Wicked Game  Comments Off on Book Signing 2
Feb 102012
 

I had my book signing last night!  Wow!  It was incredible.  There were only about a dozen people but they asked interesting (and sometimes unexpected) questions about Wicked Game and the writing process.  What surprised me the most, though, was how many people want to know about me.  Perhaps I had a preconceived notion that people are only interested in the book- the plot, the characters, the messages.  I’d say it was about 50% book and 50% me.  I had a lot of fun and hope to schedule another one soon.

Gentoo Penguins, Brown Bluff, Antarctica

Gentoo Penguins, Brown Bluff, Antarctica

 Posted by at 7:42 pm

Vague Pronoun Reference Part 1

 Writing  Comments Off on Vague Pronoun Reference Part 1
Feb 062012
 

Vague pronoun reference is a grammatical error that really bothers me.  Almost as much as dangling participles and modifiers.  Each pronoun should clearly refer to one and only one antecedent in each sentence.

John bought a deluxe cheeseburger and he ate it.  In this sentence he clearly refers to John and it to the deluxe cheeseburger.  (I’m making myself hungry…)

Too many antecedents in one sentence is one cause of vague pronoun reference.  Jason and Bryce went to the jewelry store and he had a hard selecting an engagement ring.  He can refer to either Jason or Bryce.  Even though the reader can probably discern if it’s Jason or Bryce from context, the sentence is still wrong.

One solution is to substitute the pronoun for the specific noun although that can add redundancy to the sentence. Jason and Bryce went to the jewelry store and Bryce had a hard selecting an engagement ring.  Another option is to re-work the sentence so as to remove the vagueness.  Bringing Jason, Bryce went to the jewelry store and he had a hard selecting an engagement ring or Jason and Bryce went to the jewelry store and they had a hard selecting an engagement ring.

Both these options are grammatically correct.  I feel that vague pronoun reference is something a good writer should avoid and/or take the time to correct.

Iceberg by Gibbs Island

Iceberg by Gibbs Island

 Posted by at 5:13 pm

Book Signing!

 Wicked Game  Comments Off on Book Signing!
Jan 302012
 

Things with Wicked Game are really moving along.  Sales have been good and I have a book signing scheduled!  I am really excited.  Wicked Game is such a fun story that I think everyone should read it.  I am looking forward to meeting more of my readers in the Madison area.

Bust of Captain Luis Pardo who rescued Ernest Shackleton’s men on Point Wilde, Elephant Island

Bust of Captain Luis Pardo who rescued Ernest Shackleton’s men on Point Wilde, Elephant Island

 

 Posted by at 7:49 pm

Truckstop Burger

 Food, Recipes  Comments Off on Truckstop Burger
Jan 262012
 

Holy cow, peeps!  I am craving a manwich.  This one is delicious death on a bun.  Use a ¼ lb. burger and enjoy.  If you can put two away, you’re the man!

Truckstop Burger

  •  Hearty white or Kaiser roll
  • Thick sliced American cheese, I use bacon American cheese
  • 1 hash brown patty, cooked according to package directions
  • 2 slices bacon, cooked medium crisp
  • 1 fried egg, I like mine over medium but you do yours your way
  • Mayonnaise
  • Salt and pepper to taste

 

Drygalski Fjord, South Georgia Island

Drygalski Fjord, South Georgia Island

Pic: Drygalski Fjord, South Georgia Islan

 Posted by at 5:24 pm

Interview With the Verona Press

 Wicked Game  Comments Off on Interview With the Verona Press
Jan 192012
 

This past Monday, January 16th, 2012, I had an interview with the Verona Press.  They are going to be running an article on the recent publication of Wicked Game.  I met the reporter, Mike T., at The Sow’s Ear in Verona.  The Sow’s Ear is a combined yarn store and coffee shop.  I purchased a cup of black tea and then promptly found Mike.  He was the only man sitting in the shop and had a copy of Wicked Game strategically displayed on the table.  I promptly sat down and introduced myself.

It was a really nice interview and Mike is someone I would be proud to know.  He’s friendly and down-to-earth while still being a good investigator.  He asked me questions about who I am, on why I write gay fiction, the personalities of the characters, and whether there are any hidden emotions in the book.  (The answer to that last question is “no.”  Wicked Game is a suspense-filled fast-paced adventure on a tropical island focused on three young men playing a dangerous game.)

I left the interview happy that I had a chance to meet Mike and discuss my book with him.  He’s a very nice person.  I look forward to the publication of the article.

Godthul Harbor on South Georgia Island

Godthul Harbor on South Georgia Island

 

 

 Posted by at 10:07 pm

Wicked Game in Print!

 Wicked Game  Comments Off on Wicked Game in Print!
Jan 152012
 

I probably should have mentioned this earlier but Wicked Game is now in print!  I have to admit that there’s very little in life that’s as satisfying to a writer as to hold one’s own book in hand.

Wicked Game is a fast-paced story about three recent college grads who visit Anteros Island to celebrate their graduation and entry into the “real world”.  Reno is an architect, from a wealthy family, who has a job lined up with a prestigious New York City firm.  Zach is a Texan whose father is the local sheriff and he hopes to continue the tradition by becoming a deputy in his father’s department.  Jonah, who frequently has to mediate between the other two dominant personalities, is a psychology major headed to graduate school.

Reno and Zach competed throughout college and they decide to play out one last “game” on the island.  This time, the outcome is like nothing any of them ever expected.  The story is “edge-of-your-seat” to see who wins the game and how the boys handle the tables being turned on them.

Drinking a toast to ‘The Boss’, Ernest Shackleton at Grytviken, South Georgia Island with Rick, the sexy historian

Drinking a toast to ‘The Boss’, Ernest Shackleton at Grytviken, South Georgia Island with Rick, the sexy historian

 

 Posted by at 6:45 pm

The End of JoyBoy Island

 Writing  Comments Off on The End of JoyBoy Island
Jan 092012
 

A joyful welcome to all my new JoyBoy visitors!

As of January 1, 2012, the JoyBoy Island website was shut down.  A myriad of different and conflicting emotions run through me when I think of this.  JoyBoy Island was a fictitious Caribbean island where homosexuality was open, accepted, and considered the status quo.

It’s the setting for the majority of my stories because my works deal with gay characters living a normal life rather than the experience of being gay.  Writing and being one of the owners of JoyBoy turned me into a successful professional writer and led me to a fulfilling career!

Why did it have to end?  As writers, my partners and I evolved and, in my opinion, we outgrew JoyBoy.  Instead of dragging it on and writing uninteresting material, we decided to end the website.  I’m excited by the prospect of working on my novels but saddened by the end of the website that led to something really great: my writing!

Update: Riptide, a novel based on my largest JoyBoy Island story, is in editing.  I hope to have it published this spring!!

Reindeer on South Georgia Island

Reindeer on South Georgia Island

 Posted by at 5:43 pm

New Year’s Resolutions

 Musings, Writing  Comments Off on New Year’s Resolutions
Jan 052012
 

Greetings my friends and Happy New Year!  I wish you all the best in the coming year.  I will be spending the day cleaning the place and cheering on the Packers!  GoPackGo!  This year I have quite a few resolutions…

  1. Edit.  Edit.  Edit some more!  I have three completed novels that need editing.  I want to get those out to you as soon as possible.
  2. Now that JoyBoy Island has ended, I want to find ways of getting my work out to readers that never experienced JBI.
  3. Write the sequel to Possession of Truth.  I have the plot outlined.  Now, I just need a block of free time to get going.  Anybody know where those are sold?
  4. Develop a new Bloody Mary recipe.  I have two so far, the Perfect Bloody Mary and the Caribbean Bloody Mary.  As I am a Bloody Mary lover, this is tantamount to successful writing!
  5. Reach out to more of my readers.  I love hearing from all of you.
Salisbury Plain

Penguins and Fur Seals on Salisbury Plain, South Georgia Island

 

 Posted by at 3:43 pm

Commas and Conjunctions

 Writing  Comments Off on Commas and Conjunctions
Dec 292011
 

Commas are usually problematic for many writers.  When do you put one in? When do you leave them out?  When I’m reading, nothing ruins a story more than bad grammar and improper comma usage is at the top of my list.

Commas are optional but mostly unnecessary after the second to last item in a series of items such as:  I went to the store and bought lettuce, tomatoes, onions and peppers.  The conjunction gives enough of a pause that the comma is unnecessary.

Speaking of pauses, I’ve heard many an editor say that a comma should be used where there’s a natural pause regardless of grammar.  I find that a thoroughly uneducated statement.  If pauses don’t fall with grammar, then the sentence is written incorrectly.

Commas used to join two independent clauses seem to be even more problematic even for grammar experts.  I’ve perused several grammar websites and there is little to no consensus on both the presence and location of commas.  Some sites place them before the conjunction, some after, and some say no comma.

I generally do not use commas when connecting two independent clauses.  I feel the conjunction gives enough of pause that an additional one is unnecessary.  A comma means a significant pause, which, in most cases, disrupts the flow of reading.

Trip Pic: Ocean Approaching South Georgia Island

Trip Pic: Ocean Approaching South Georgia Island

 

 Posted by at 6:23 pm