So how do I learn to write?

Ok this for once from me is a fairly serious question. Having been reevaluating some of my writings over the last couple of years I'm figuring one of my big problems is my poor English skills. Seriously from grammar and punctuation to lousy structure. And I'm beginning to feel for me this is a real stumbling block. This sort of goes above and beoynd the dyslexia.

So how do I improve on it? What would be a good course of study? I found that beginners English courses weren't that helpful and comedy writing courses didn't help with this problem.

I'd like to do some sort of course in professional writing or journalism part time over a couple of years or possibly screen writing. What do you my fellow writers recommend?

This may sound stupid, but I did know someone who faced a similar self-concern and the suggestion I came up with helped them. What they did was simply take novels/non-fiction books that they enjoyed and spent some time just writing/typing out a chapter every so often. The simple (and free) act of doing this reinforced rules of grammar and punctuation when it came to their own writing. Partly consciously, partly subconsciously, they were teaching themselves more acceptable writing patterns.

Quote: sootyj @ August 4 2009, 12:13 PM BST

Ok this for once from me is a fairly serious question. Having been reevaluating some of my writings over the last couple of years I'm figuring one of my big problems is my poor English skills. Seriously from grammar and punctuation to lousy structure. And I'm beginning to feel for me this is a real stumbling block. This sort of goes above and beoynd the dyslexia.

So how do I improve on it? What would be a good course of study? I found that beginners English courses weren't that helpful and comedy writing courses didn't help with this problem.

I'd like to do some sort of course in professional writing or journalism part time over a couple of years or possibly screen writing. What do you my fellow writers recommend?

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I don't think your grammar and spelling is that bad, but I always get the impression that you have a very quick mind that your writing can't keep up with.

I wouldn't suggest a journalism course or anything of that sort, but would recommend a working through a really good teaching book with exercises, maybe?

I have an old school grammar book from the 1950s that really helped me as a kid. I spent a summer holiday going through it when I was 10 and I learnt all the stuff they no longer teach.

Have you considered redoing an English GCSE?

I got Bs at A level and GCSE English I am proof the system doesn't work. My work stuck me on a 2 day literacy course.

Hmm the GCSE course does sound interesting as does the 10 week course, I shall investigate both and Dolly's suggestion is also a good one.

Thanks everyone.

Quote: Griff @ August 4 2009, 12:32 PM BST

Do they actually teach gramer n shit in GCSE anymore?

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What, like, how to proply, like do sentences and stuff.

There's a BBC site with factsheets, exercises, and a quiz (which I already started getting stuff wrong on!) http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/grammar/

This might be a good starting point, as it's free.

I agree with Dolly btw -- it seems you're rushing to get the idea down, as your head is way ahead of your fingers. It's the going back and tidying up that's the problem!

Hope that's useful

Dan

I've got no idea what they teach at GCSE English these days, it just seemed like it might be the right sort of level - not a beginner's course, not a specific style of writing, just one where you already know the language pretty well and just want to get better at using it.

If not GCSE, there's probably an evening course at a college near you.

Out of curiosity, do you have spell check on your computer/browser?

Quote: Tim Walker @ August 4 2009, 12:37 PM BST

What, like, how to proply, like do sentences and stuff.

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Ye day do, got a D for my F-urts.

Quote: Leevil @ August 4 2009, 12:58 PM BST

Out of curiosity, do you have spell check on your computer/browser?

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That's not necessarily much help. Where I worked before, the secretary had to put all our operating procedures inthe correct format. The problem was that she kept accepting everything the spell checker and grammar checker suggested in Word while she did so.

Invariably I had to put it back into English and give it to her again.

What software do you use for writing Sooty?

Microsoft Word is pretty good at catching spelling mistakes, even for many common proper nouns. Its grammar-checking can be hit-and-miss, especially for creative writing, but it often throws up suggestions for mistakes that I've missed or didn't even know where mistakes (and I am a journalist).

OpenOffice.org is about as good, and can be had for free.

Sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but there's little excuse for spelling mistakes using a modern word processor.

I just disable grammar checks on any software I use.

Quote: Dolly Dagger @ August 4 2009, 12:22 PM BST

I always get the impression that you have a very quick mind that your writing can't keep up with.

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I echo this. The prolific nature of your output speaks for itself.

Well spotted Griff. You win a cookie.