A sort of service...

9
1.2K followers

I've read a good number of posts extolling the virtues of WA, and I've reserved full judgement until I've had a good old furkle, which is a West Country word for rummage, which in turn means an unsystematic and untidy search.

Since coming here I've been amazed by the amount and quality of the contributions, whether from our two illustrious leaders [salutes] or by the members themselves. Thanks also to RICH, a worthy Goebbels to Kyle and Carson's Adolph and Eva.

I've also been dumbstruck by the generosity of the contributors, one of whom volunteered by PM to design a bespoke header image for me for nothing. That's nada; zilch; squat. Unfortunately, I'd beaten him to it by a couple of hours otherwise I'd have bitten his arm off, right down to the soggy socket.

I've also made a little money since I've been here, mostly from unexpected sources for which I'm immensely grateful. In short, the whole exercise has been rewarding, and has opened my eyes to the way people can really make money online, through sheer hard work, dedication and patience.

The thing is, I'd like to offer some sort of payback. I've done a few bits of training now, but they're pretty specific. The one thing I do know something about though, is writing. I have a life-long love of words and their meanings, and I constantly bewail the fact that we are hacking our own language to pieces, limb by limb, through the need to condense everything to less than 140 characters. No doubt some of you will think that's gr8 (ROFLMAO).

If anyone has any specific questions relating to correct grammar, correct punctuation, where to use a semi-colon, or needs any hints and tips on laying out website content, then come to me. If there's someone who's already on hand whom I don't know, then keep using him; he's probably younger and better looking anyway. I'll help as much as time allows.

I'm happy to receive questions by PM if you don't want to go public, or post to my profile if you don't mind the world knowing that yoo carn't spel for tofee.

And while making this small offer, I'd also like to thank those who have become part of my network here, many of whom haven't been personally thanked. I've been made most welcome and I'm incredibly humbled by some of the responses.

Laters...

Paul

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Recent Comments

18

Teaching is the most rewarding and at the same time, challenging. Yes, am too bewailed by the language of text and hashtag messaging. The word 'gr8' reminded me of a special experience.

Last school year my student spelled gr8 as 'greight', with one point deducted among many. He came to me confused since freight sounded the same and should thus be spelled the same. He also spelled fright as 'frite'.

See how this looks together - greight frite - and how it hits you straight between the eyes. I took a deep breath and asked him how to spell 'freight train'.

With each valid argument I rewarded him a 1/2 point, and asked him to promise to learn the correct way. My third grade class was a delight and full of many similar teaching moments. By semester end we had over 50 pages of words to be unlearned and spelled correctly with an addition of an equal number of new words. We also learned how to use a dictionary, a real alphabetized one with pages to turn with our fingers.

Paul, it is very, very nice of you to offer your service. Most everyone needs help in the art of English Composition; including me being just one of the 'her' used.

Thank you. Am honored to know you as a network friend and teacher. ^_~

Paul's Grammar Corner (thanks Jim) can be found under my training, and will be an ongoing course. Thanks to all of you. I'm blessed to be here.

Furkle! Paul - I never zee’d ee yer right een vront'v me - wuz ee a varmer person brung upn thisyer parish uv Debben too? Great to meet you...

My wife is the one who started it. She's a Gloucester Girl, born in Chipping Sodbury, never lived outside of Chipping Sodbury. I've lived here for 45 years and she still calls me "Town Boy". I do however know the krek waiter's peak Bristle.

You use too many big words LOL...Great one really thanks
Kymee

Paul, you are such an eloquent writer, I always enjoy your post, I think I would even if I did not give a flip about the content! What an incredibly kind offer you have made. Thank you. I hope I do not need your services, but if I feel like I am stumbling, I will give you a shout. Thanks again!

Full stop after "writer, semi-colon after the word "post" and get rid of the comma after "stumbling". "Post" should be "posts". I couldn't resist.

This couldn't have come at a better time:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/aj8/19-jokes-only-grammar-nerds-will-understand-cfe3

It's great to have such a blog from accomplished person. For me you have paid me in advance, Tks.

Paul, Kan u help wiv my kontentt as i av no idee wot to say....
Honestly though, great idea Paul, i think that is a worthy payback and very lovely of you.

Mikey!! That's funny.

Thank you Paul. I'll keep that in mind for when I do need someone. Thank you very much.

I have one issue that has been bugging me for some time. In fact it is part of the reason I never got started at all until recently.

Writing articles is one thing but my site will be relying on product review-type posts to attract customers to a particular product. The problem is that everything I will be selling will be a variation of the same product, some varying wildly but some remarkably similar, many almost identical, but all effectively the same product.

Think umbrellas for example. There are thousands of different types and styles but they are also all pretty much the same.

How do you write unique content on, for example, 150 completely different but otherwise remarkably similar umbrellas without continually repeating yourself (and your content)? Apart from being extremely boring it's immensely difficult too.

You're right, it's tough. But each umbrella would be different to the one before in some respect. The materials used, the length, portability, number of struts, results of wind testing, can it pack into a handbag, what colours does it come in, is it shallow or deep in profile, has it got a wooden, composite or plastic handle. You get the picture. By the time you've factored in your own opinion (I love/like/recommend/dislike/hate it) and details of cost, value for money and its two nearest competitors, plus the history of the company which made it, and you have a fair amount to alter.

Agreed, they are all different in some respect. But if you have 100 umbrellas to write about and 25 of them have wooden handles, well there are only so many ways you can describe a wooden handle. The thing is they all start to sound a bit samey after a while.

I have 79 of my "umbrellas" to write a product review for, I'm about a third of the way through them now and despite reading up on as many other reviews of the same products that I can find, I am starting to struggle now to keep the content unique, both from my other reviews and those of other websites.

Maybe I am trying too hard, maybe we just have to accept that there are so many ways to do it.

Gary, I spent some time last year writing smartphone reviews. The brief was to research all the other reviews, put them together, and rewrite the best from each. That was mind-numbingly boring, as most of the content was tech spec. I did a few hundred though, and seem to have got away with it. Do you make comparisons within each piece, because that gives some room for fiddling about.

Yes that is pretty much the same approach that I use. As you say it is mind numbingly boring though. I'm probably just having a bit of a whinge because I am not having a good day, creativity wise, and I really wanted to get on with it.

Hey Paul,

Nicely written. You should come up with something like Paul's Grammar Corner that gives us one tidbit of grammar rules, usage, etc., each time you publish. It could be a weekly post or even a training module. I would definitely read that.

Best Regards,
Jim

Good idea Jim. I'll think about the best way of doing it.

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