by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E Media Staff

Today’s grammar f*ck-up is priceless. “I really could careless” was seen in a meme with a longer message. Really? There’s always someone around f*cking up grammar. It’s not always a big deal. We’re not all grammarians and I mess up on occasion as well. But when I see it in books, on business websites, in schools, or in other places where more attention should be given to proper English, I cringe.

This one wasn't in a place like mentioned above. But just in case someone else happens to f*ck up in the same way (in a place where it might matter more), here's how to fix it. Where I saw “I really could careless,” the complete message itself would have been a good one, had the person taken care to actually word it so that it made sense. But, just about everything is wrong with this particular phrase.

First of all, saying you COULD care less implies that you do care, not that you don’t. Could and couldn’t mean exactly the opposite of each other. What the person was trying to get across is that they don’t care at all and it’s impossible to care less. Therefore, the correct wording should have been “I really couldn’t care less.”

This brings us to the second point. It’s not careless. It’s care less. There is a big difference. This sentence makes sense (though is not giving out the intended message): “I really could be careless.” This sentence makes sense (though again implies a message different than intended): “I really could care less.” The original wording does not make sense. Careless is not a verb. It’s an adjective. There should be a verb in there to take some action, such as caring about something. The verb is care – by itself. How much do you care? You care less. Therefore, the correct wording is “care less,” not “careless.”

While the meanings of care less and careless are similar, they are not the same grammatically and cannot be used in place of each other. Could and could not are the exact opposites of each other. So there you have the grammar f*ck-up the day, people. It’s "I really couldn’t care less," not "I really could careless."

Even my simple grammar checker highlighted that sentence when I typed it in a document, by the way. Always check your work yourself and with tools before you put it somewhere for all to see. It will save you the embarrassment later. You’re welcome.

Image: memecreator.org and Lyn Lomasi

I originally published this on BUBBLEWS (no longer published there)

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

The English language is a diverse one with so many words to choose from. So, why of all these words do I choose a word such as f**k as my favorite word? I'm a writer. Shouldn't I know more words or choose something more creative?

You tell me what word is more creative than f**k. I dare you. What other word can you stick anywhere and have it fit in perfectly? It colors any sentence, adds more meaning wherever it is placed, and honestly, it's simply fun to use.

Pick any other word and try to fill it in where I've filled in f**k (or f**king) in the following sentences and I can guarantee you it will sound extremely awkward, unlike my f**k word, which sounds perfectly normal anywhere.

I f**ing love posting my f**king writing on this f**king site. It's the most f**ing awesome f**ing thing since f**ing sliced bread.

Now try to place any other so-called creative word there in place of f**ing and see just how colorful it becomes. Not so colorful anymore,is it?

Yes, I am a writer who creatively chooses f**k as my favorite word and is darn proud of it.

Besides, as Harry Widdifield says, cursing is one of our given rights. It's just language, which we have the right to use.

I dare you to show me a more creative and colorful word in the English language.

But that's not ladylike! Hmmm...

Do you share my favorite word? Do you think my creative word is not so creative? Tell us in the comment section.

Photo Credit: Lyn Lomasi

I originally published this on BUBBLEWS (no longer published there)

by Lyn Lomasi; Owner of Intent-sive Nature & the Brand Shamans network

You spend hours on a submission perfecting every little detail when along comes an editor to mess with your masterpiece. If you're going to make it as a writer, you will have to work with editors. A necessary part of the publishing process involves dealing with editors.

Learn to compromise. Editors can and often do change things. That's what they're there for. They catch the little mistakes we make (and we all make mistakes). They also may make edits that are better for structure, your audience, the web, and more. Though you may not always agree with them, you will have to deal with many editors. Learn to compromise on what your final piece will look like.

Let it go. That may be easier said than done in many cases. Writers often see our works as our little babies, if you will. We work hard on what we produce and it means so much to us. Altering it can feel like someone is trying to change us. After all, it does often have our names on it and we made it. But at some point, we have to learn to let it go. If the work never bypasses an editor, it may never get out in front of the intended audience. Try not to get too attached and learn to just let the work go once its complete.

What's the change? Instead of becoming to attached to the way the piece is written, focus on the message. If the edits do not take away the message, don't be so hard on the editor. It's perfectly fine to address the editor if you feel that the changes are unsatisfactory or take away from the message. But if the change is nothing that takes away the message, why waste all that energy getting upset? Write another article.

Report the editor. This is only for extreme cases. As a writer, you will need to learn to deal with the fact that your writing will be changed by editors if you want it published with major companies. If the editor really is making changes that are unreasonable (and not just changes you don't like - changes that affect the quality of the work significantly), that's when you report the editor. I advise not taking this route unless necessary because a writer and editor need to be able to work together peacefully. But obviously, if there is an injustice it should be reported.

Switch venues. If you just cannot deal with a particular editor, write somewhere else. Ultimately, you should be happy with your writing (or any) career. If that's not happening, you haven't found the right venue/s to write for yet. Realize you should not be switching venues every time you don't like what an editor does. But if there is a true problem, remember that you can move on.

Write for yourself. If you truly cannot deal with anyone at all messing with your own work, only write for yourself. When someone is paying you to produce work, it should be what they want, hence part of the reason for the editors. If you create your own venue, such as your own website or blog, you make the rules. Even if you go this route, it can still be a wise move to have an editor (or at least a writing buddy) that is willing to be a second pair of eyes. But you'll have the most freedom when writing for yourself.

Bottom line: Editors are a part of the writing and publishing business and writers need to be able to adapt to that fact. Work with (not against) your editor, unless you have a legitimate claim against them.

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