I am delighted to have just received the certificate for the course I did on Copyediting and Proofreading. Here is a copy.
And I passed with Distinction, it says.
I feel quite chuffed about this.
My copyediting and proofreading certificate
Tag Archives: v.m.sang
Trees
I love trees, the older and gnarlier (I have a squiggly red line saying this isn’t a word. Well it is now!) the better. Here are some pictures of trees I’ve come across.
This was an oak tree behind our house in December, as you can see by the date. It was still green!
I had some other photos of trees that I wanted to add, but can’t find them. Still, these are all lovely.
What do you think about trees? They are important, but also beautiful, but too many can be a nuisance and block the sun. There is a poplar behind out garden that cuts the summer sun to our garden. Every few years, the council pollards it, and what a difference it makes to us and our plants!
Slack Use of Language
First of all, apologies for no post last week, but I had visitors and didn’t manage to find the time.
I have noticed a decline in the use of the English language for a while now. It is especially concerning in people who should have an excellent knowledge of the language. People such as Radio and TV correspondents, journalists and well-educated experts.
On Sunday there was a news item on Radio 4 about another eruption of the Icelandic volcano that’s currently active. I was on my way out of the kitchen when I heard the ‘expert’ say a word that made me turn back and ask, “Did she just say ‘vigourent’?”
My nephew, who was staying with us, said, “Yes, she did.”
Vigourent!
From an ‘expert’.
I looked it up, thinking it might be a word I don’t know, but it doesn’t appear to be.
This morning, on Sky’s scrolling news, it said, “The Princess of Wales has been seen in public for the first time after her operation at a Windsor farm shop.”
It would have been slightly better with a comma after ‘operation’, I think, but not much.
What’s wrong with, “The Princess of Wales has been seen at a Windsor farm shop for the first time since her operation”?
Syntax has gone. The latter happens all the time. Ambiguous statements.
As to making up words–yes, I know Shakespeare did it–it confuses the issue. When The Bard made up a word, it was obvious what he meant from the context. And he was William Shakespeare! An expert in the use of words.
Finally, there’s a confusion amongst some people as to when to use the past participle. (This is often amongst sports reporters). I hear , ” He has went,” or “She has ran,” and other similar things all the time.
Grrr!
How do you feel about the slack use of language? Let us know in the comments box.
Thank you for reading.
Chance to Get a Book by One of My Recommended Authors for Nothing!
If you like dystopian novels, then the Echo books are for you.
Warning, though. They do contain violence and swearing.
But hurry. Today is the last day of the sale.
Sorry npt to let you know earlier but I forgot to hit ‘publish’.
Pay Someone a Compliment Day and 20 of My Favourite Authors
Today is Pay Someone a Compliment Day, so I decided to write a post about some of my favourite authors.
But first, I would like all my subscribers to know that I greatly appreciate your reading of my blog. And those of you who comment are super folk. I love interacting with you all.
Here are 20 authors. Actually, my favourite author is often the one I’ve just finished and enjoyed reading, but these are all to be recommended.
There are a couple I feel I should add, but hey-ho! I’ve limited myself to 20.
Now to the list of authors. This is not in any order, so if you find your name there, near the top or bottom, it doesn’t mean you are my favourite or least favourite.
Mary Deal Suspense/Thrillers; Romance
David Kummer Horror, although my favourite to date is not horror.
Sean Robbins Scifi
Debbie Manber Kupfer Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal.
D Wallace Peach Fantasy
Randall Krzak Thriller and Crime
Kent Wayne Dystopian scifi
Brian L Porter. Mystery and tales of his rescue dogs.
Cynthia Morgan Dystopian fantasy and Young Adult
Robert Scanlon Space Opera
Nicholas C Rossis Science Fiction and Speculative Fiction
Robert Jordan Fantasy
Frank Herbert Scifi
Brandon Sanderson Fantasy
Emily Bronte Not sure where this one goes. It’s not romance in the conventional way.
C.J. Sansom Historical
J.K.Rowling Fantasy
Anne Bronte Not quite sure where I’d place her work.
Georgette Heyer Historical
Terry Pratchett Comic fantasy.
There are others I’d love to add, but my limit is 20. Maybe I’ll do another post sometime and add these others.
Have you read any of these authors? Do you agree with my list. or are there those on it you would not have on yours? I’m sure there are.
Please let us know in the comments.
Please May I have Your Help
Vengeance of a Slave has now made it through to the last 50 in All Author Cover of the Month. It’s currently at Number 29.
In order to get higher, it needs lots more votes, so please will you pop over to All Author and vote?
In order to vote, you will need to sign up for the site, but you can unsubscribe afterwards, or maybe you would like to stay there and find loads of new books and authors.
It needs a huge push by my friends and followers in order to get to the top. The book currently at the top is one that I dislike the cover of, but I suspect the author has a load more people to call on than I have.
Still, your help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
Here’s the link to the site.
Happy New Year, and some news
I have just submitted the second part of my poetry anthology, One Poem a Day. This one goes from July to December.
Book 1, January to June was released just before Christmas.
My daughter had a book when she was very little which comprised one story of poem to read every day of the year. It was great as each poem or story was short, and at bedtime we could say, “That’s the end of today’s story.” No arguments about going to sleep.
I thought how nice it would be if an adult could have something similar. One poem to read each day for a year. So I set about, December 2022, to writing one poem every day. At times I thought I’d never do it, but eventually, I succeeded.
I decided to release the book in two halves so that people could begin to read on January 1st. Book 1 came out just before Christmas and has received a glowing review already.
Here is the review from Amazon.
VINE VOICE
Clever and unusual, a unique blend of poetic styles
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 December 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this unique collection of poetry from V M Sang. I say unique because it’s rare to find such an eclective collection of different styles, forms and subjects in one one book, all by the same author. From Haiku to full length poetic pieces, covering a wide range of topics from the weather to personal feelings and the rare beauty found in the more mundane, everyday events in the poet’s life. Definitely something for everyone and I have no hesitation in recommending the book and giving it a 5 star review.
If you are interested in my poetry, you can buy by clicking here when you will be able to buy from your favourite store.
Acceptance in cover of the month competition.
Happy New Year to everyone.
I’m afraid this is something of a begging post.
The cover of Vengeance of a Slave has been accepted in All Authors’ cover of the month contest. The first round runs until 7th January when the top 100 will go on to the next round. It’s by votes, so please would you pop over and vote for it.You can get to the voting page by clicking
https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/17022/
Thanks in advance, and wish me luck.
Released at last
The first part of One Poem a Day has now been released. It would make an amazing Christmas present for someone.
Take a lyrical journey through the first half of the year with V.M. Sang’s FROM JANUARY TO JUNE.
This anthology captures the essence of everyday life, nature, and the world around us through the versatile medium of poetry. From haiku to narrative poems, and the humor found in limericks, From January To June is a diverse collection of poetry.
A calendar in creativity, a diary in verse; this collection is the perfect companion for daily reflection and inspiration, providing a poem for each day that resonates with the diverse experiences of life.
You can get your copy by clicking on the book cover in the sidebar or clicking the button below.
Watch out for the next volume, From July to December, which I hope will be released early next year.
Do you enjoy reading poetry? Let us know in the comments box.
Thanks. A Poem
I know I’m a bit late with his one, as Thanksgiving was last Thursday for my US friends, but it is still November, the thanksgiving month. And we should give thanks all year round.
I decided to write a Haibun for this. A Haibun is poetic prose followed by a Haiku complements it.
Here is my Haibun.
Thanks
The warmth of the sun caresses my face. The breeze lifts a strand of my hair, like a lover. The leaves whisper secrets above me. The brook giggles at the jokes it heard. Flowers nod in agreement with everything. Butterflies paint the forest glade in a tapestry of colour.
There is such beauty
We have been given so much
We should be grateful.
Have you ever written a Haibun? I only recently learned of them and this is only my second.
Let us know in the comments section
Dragons Rule OK. V.M.Sang (author) 