Stuart Aken's Blog, page 309

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Further or farther?

This is a much misunderstood comparison, since both words can be used in an interchangeable manner. Fashion and usage have brought 'further' into greater use for most things. The use of the term 'further education' has become so well-known that no one would ever think of writing this as 'farther education', though such an expression wouldn't be incorrect.There is some debate about whether 'farther' should be preferred in those expressions where a measurable distance is concerned. But there is no etymological reason for this distinction and it has now been superseded by usage. It seems likely that 'farther' will be one of those words that will eventually vanish due to lack of use.NOTE from the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary: The forms farther/further displaced farrer, the regular compar. of far. Until recently, farther was preferred in reference to physical distance, further in figurative contexts, but further is now usual in all contexts.
Once again, Zemanta has let me down, so here's another local shot; this is the Humber Bridge, until recently, the longest single span suspension bridge in the world.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Each other or one another?

In formal writing, when more than two things are being discussed, 'one another' is often preferred. But, in fact, according to Fowler's Modern English Usage, either phrase can be used. They are interchangeable and the choice becomes one of personal taste.
'Penny and Prudence were always arguing, getting at each other by any means possible so that their friendship was constantly in doubt.'
'Fred and Josh were the best of friends and would lend one another any gadget or item of clothing without hesitation.'
The picture is nothing to do with the words. But my widget failed to identify anything relevant, so I thought |I'd give you this picture of Yorkshire instead.

Writing: Not a New Word Was Penned

In Malham Dale, North Yorkshire.So, where have I been? What have I been doing?
Truth is, yesterday I had a slightly longer day at the office and then came home and had time only to respond to emails before dance class.  And today, under a new regime, was a long day at work and I arrived home too knackered to do more than keep control of the emails.
So, not a new word of the epic fantasy has been written, which is really quite galling. But, tomorrow, I shall return early from the office and take Valerie out to her bowls match. I shall then sit in the clubhouse and work on the book on the laptop for the first time. A new experience and one I'm looking forward to. But, for now, it's a relaxing time on the sofa with some classical music to refresh my spirit.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Desert or dessert?

Image via Wikipedia
A desert is devoid of living things and often an arid region, but it also something you may, or may not, deserve.A dessert is a pudding, cake or other sweet item of food served after the main meal.
'Jim declared he would never desert Mary, and especially not in the desert they were now crossing.'
'Clive was very keen on his dessert, and would often avoid the main meal in order to have more pudding.'

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Compare to or compare with?

Image via Wikipedia
To 'compare to' indicates only similarity; but to 'compare with' suggests contrast as well.
'Michael was so similar in so many ways to his hero, Kevin, that people often compared him to the older man.'
'If I were to compare you with Marilyn Monroe, I would have to say that you have a similar figure but that your voice is nothing like as sexy.'

Writing: 2000 Words and a New Idea

Horsefair Lane, Little Driffield.This morning, following a late night, I sat at the keyboard and realised that I had no idea where I needed to go next for one thread of the epic fantasy. It's one of the problems of relying on a loose structure for the novel instead of the traditional plan. I prefer the loose framework, as it allows the characters more leeway to direct the action according to their moods and emotional needs. But it does sometimes leave an uncomfortable creative vacuum. However, as seems to be usual, my creative subconscious came to the rescue and, in minutes, I was penning a new piece of action; something that will lend the novel more depth and provide a new area of action for some future writing as well. So, I ended up with 2000 new words and a new idea.
My internet connection was down this morning and I assumed it was a problem with either the modem or the ISP. But it soon became clear it was actually the phone line that was not operating. I powered on the mobile (I always turn it off overnight to prevent unwanted interruptions) and then realised I had very little credit. So, a call to the network to place some credit. Then a call to my broadband supplier, Talk Talk. No real help there; their help line (that's a joke) was busy and I wasn't about to spend my newly-credited cash just waiting for a response.
We had our usual Sunday morning walk, enjoying the local countryside. Then all three of us sauntered down to a local pub for a belated celebration of my birthday; a simple family lunch outing.
On our return, I tried the Talk Talk help line again and this time got a recorded message to tell me that there was a technical problem with the lines in my area, they were working on it but could give no time it was likely to be resolved.
Did a few post items to schedule for the future, sent a few question sets out for future interviewees, and then, lo and behold, the internet connection was re-established. All emails answered.
Now, it's time for relaxation, I think.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Biannual or biennial?

Image via Wikipedia
Biannual describes something that happens twice a year. Biennial indicates an event occurs once every two years.
'The biannual meetings between Jennifer and her ex, for the sake of the children, were too frequent for her peace of mind and she declared a wish to reduce them to just once a year in future.'
'The road race for charity was held biennially, alternating with a sponsored silence for the children, so that   money was raised each year for the good cause.'
15 May 1996 - Bill Clinton, US President, signed Megan's Law, ensuring the public would be notified if a dangerous sex offender was released into their community.

Writing: 1700 words this time

An old drovers' lane in the Dales National Park.A slightly delayed rising this morning but the session before breakfast went well, producing another 1700 words of tension and promised action. The story moves ahead. Threats present themselves, danger lurks, conflict increases. The second book now stands around 108,000 words. What, I wonder, will the final edit produce?
No physical work today, bar a pleasant walk on the edge of town, through the bordering countryside. Spirits refreshed, settled down to complete the update on the Writing Contests page - take a look if such things interest you; there are over 140 contest links, many offering big cash prizes, others lending kudos and others offering rewards for no cost other than your skill and ingenuity.
Watched the second half of the FA Cup Final, whilst taking my essential rest and fell asleep; it was so riveting. This evening is the Eurovision Song Contest, a musical (some say) extravaganza and celebration of the kitsch and  the exuberant. It's mostly good clean fun with the tension of political voting thrown in. Last year everyone in mainland Europe hated the Brits so much that they gave us no points. It didn't help that our singer's performance lacked a certain something. We've helped out some of the European economies and taken action against a tyrant in Libya this year, so, if the boys of Blue can pull off a good performance, we stand to gain a little more in the way of votes for our song. The event is one of those 'must see' experiences and is watchable for its sheer entertainment value, especially if you have a drop of the red on hand. So, goodnight for now.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Affect or effect?

Image via Wikipedia
Affect: verb - like to use, wear, practise, or frequent; seek or aim for; display ostentatiously; take the character of; take upon oneself to do, profess; of things: display a tendency towards; assume a false appearance of; pretend. Effect: verb - bring about an end or result; accomplish an intention or wish; produce a state or condition;
Often confused. If you remember that the verb to affect is the one used, generally in a detrimental way, to describe someone who pretends to be something they are not. Whereas the verb to effect means to bring something about.
'Paulina, who was shaped rather like a whale, liked to affect the mannerisms and dress, such as it was, of a lingerie supermodel.'
'Nigel's collection of model trains, his pedantic manner with language and his fashion sense all combined to effect a state of enforced bachelorhood, since no woman could abide his boring company.'

Writing:1800 words completed today

Farm Track, just a few miles from home.Up, as they say, with the lark. Halfway through this morning's session, I realised I needed a name for a nation that will be entering the story in the next few chapters. I had the name for the country but not for the population. Soon devised one, though, Googled it as usual and found nothing under the query, so that's okay. A lot going on now, as I'm moving into a phase where all three story threads become active for one reason or another. 1800 words done before I stopped for breakfast. Then out to the barber, who had the near impossible task of making me appear almost human again. Bearing in mind the material he was working with, I think he did a credible job. Certainly, Valerie pretended not to know me on my return and asked who I was.
The hawthorn hedge on one side of the garden and the berberris on the other, both fairly thorny, no longer look like elongated hedgehogs now I've set about them with the hedge trimmer. The wind was a joker, lifting the trimmings and tossing them with gay abandon all over the place. Still, I managed to clear everything up and put everything away just before the threatened rain fell. Time then for a rest.
After the haircut, I visited the DIY store and bought the screws and upholstery nails we needed to finish the footstool we've been refurbishing and finally completed that job after lunch.
I placed a post on here last night, to bring things up to date on the epic fantasy, but Blogger had a fight with its server and lost the post. As it was, I had to replace three posts this evening when the site finally returned to normal. Ah, the wonders of technology, eh?