I’m busy subbing my manuscripts, The Excalibur Vow, The Frankenstein Vendetta, and Ripples on Water, so I’m not doing a lengthy post. I think it’s safe to say there won’t be any substantive posts in December because of the holidays; I want to spend time with my family.

But… I don’t want you to forget me or think I’ve forgotten you. Here are 5 random, annoying things that I want to vent about.

1. That Drummer Boy Song

Photo courtesy of Engin Akurt of Pexels

Written by American composer and pianist Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941, the music is pleasant and the words heartfelt. BUT- really the idea is, at best, ridiculous. What new mother, exhausted from delivering a child in the era of no painkillers, and without other women to help her, wants a boy to DRUM, and WAKE the baby? She had no children (I have 3) so I’ll chalk it up to naivete. Trust me, Katherine dear, no mother would welcome a drummer boy with a newborn.

2. “She fell pregnant.”

Photo courtesy of Janko Ferlic of Pexels

Um, you do not fall pregnant like you fall off a ladder or fall in love. Action is required. Please revisit your high school biology (or Google) how to become pregnant. STOP using this in conversation and especially in BOOKS. And even worse, is when the writer tacks on “unlucky enough”. No, luck and falling have no part in pregnancy.

3. Spam Emails That Are Obvious

Photo courtesy of Clkr-Free-Vector-Images of Pixabay

When I get a ‘notification’ from UPS there are 2 things to consider: first, how did they get my email when I didn’t give it to them?, and second, what’s the return address when I hover the mouse over it? If the first consideration doesn’t convince me, and the return address says something like joshdjoiseng’wsliehre at whatever, um, DUH. That’s not the address for UPS, now is it? You don’t have to be a genius to figure that out.

4. Spam Using MY Name and Address

Photo courtesy of OpenClipart-Vectors of Pixabay

When you spoof, ghost, whatever and use MY name and address, sorry, but you’re stupid to think I won’t notice, or care, or figure out you’re spamming me. Why do you bother?

5. Stop Violating Words

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As an English and journalism major with a Masters degree in Creative Writing, with a certification as a professional writer, I CRINGE when people take a word and make it do things it was not supposed to do, like taking an adjective and making it work as a verb. Think of the word actual; properly used in a sentence it would be ‘The actual cost of the car…’ It acts as an adjective describing the cost of the car, a noun. But when you say ‘You can actualize the team’s goals…’ you are forcing it to be a verb. NO. Don’t do it. Please. When you do this often enough, even the Oxford English Dictionary admits defeat and includes it in their iconic master guide of the English language and it doesn’t enrich anyone.

Stay Tuned…

Guaranteed I’ll have more rants, pet peeves, and observations. Hopefully that will include some good news about my short story and novel submissions. Wish me luck!

And if I don’t post before the New Year, have a happy, safe, and healthy holiday and New Year!