the elusive cumulative

June 10, 2010

So, I’m in this writing workshop.  And it has been proven to me– over and over again– that I’m not nearly as smart as I thought I was.

Grammar and language and mechanics have always been things that I just knew.  I couldn’t name parts of speech or figures of speech or diagram a sentence to save my life.  I couldn’t point out a participial phrase even if you told me to do so or I’d never have chocolate again.  And a base clause?  Puh-leeze.  Nominative modifier?  Get over yourself.  I ain’t gotta clue.

I mean, really?  I write.  And if I’m lucky it sounds okay.  Sometimes.

Back toward the topic, I’m in this writing workshop and I’m learning all of these things.  And I don’t hate it.

Just like I didn’t hate the color of my laundry room the first (of 4) times I painted it.  Just like I didn’t hate The Hubs after our first (I-meant-to-be-our-last that turned-into-forever) date.

And again, back to the topic.  That’s part of the MS writing rubric: staying on topic.  Bet you didn’t know that, did you?  Bet you did know that I’d fail miserably if someone assessed this bad boy right now.

Ahem.  Last try.  Here goes.

This word and grammar nerdiness– I’m digging it.  So, yesterday we had these two guest speakers, highly published in educational writing, world renowned in instruction, beautiful ballroom dancers, come and share with us the effectiveness of using cumulative sentences in writing.

“Cuma que what?” I thought to myself.  But it turned out, I loved it.  Adored it.

Used it.

And you’re going to tomorrow.  Just you wait.

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