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Rosemarie Ostler

Goodreads Author

Born

Chicago, The United States

Website

http://www.rosemarie-ostler.com

Genre

History, Nonfiction

Member Since

February 2013

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Linguist and freelance writer Rosemarie Ostler loves exploring the rich record of American language use. Her latest book, The United States of English, tells the story of how the language of the colonists grew into the multiple Englishes that Americans speak today. Earlier books cover such diverse topics as the origins of our most common expressions and the centuries-long fight over what counts as proper grammar. Rosemarie lives in Eugene, Oregon.

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

Rosemarie Ostler I think I have writer's reluctance more than writer's block -- it mostly hits me when I'm starting a first draft. Suddenly, checking my Twitter accoun…moreI think I have writer's reluctance more than writer's block -- it mostly hits me when I'm starting a first draft. Suddenly, checking my Twitter account, email, etc. seems like much more fun than facing that blank page. I get going by setting myself a specific task, such as just writing an outline or just writing the opening paragraph. Once I get started, I'm usually good to go for a while.(less)

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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Rosemarie Ostler I think the biggest difference between published and unpublished writers is perseverance. That doesn't only mean pitching your work to lots of places.…moreI think the biggest difference between published and unpublished writers is perseverance. That doesn't only mean pitching your work to lots of places. Even more important is sticking to your writing, learning as much as you can, and paying attention to any advice that you're lucky enough to get from an editor, agent, or other pro. Writing is like any skill -- you can get better at it with practice. Keep at it and eventually you'll see your work in print.(less)

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Rosemarie Ostler’s books

Average rating: 3.67 · 209 ratings · 55 reviews · 7 distinct works • Similar authors

	Founding Grammars: How Early America's War over Words Shaped Today's Language 3.73 avg rating — 106 ratings — published 2015 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Dewdroppers, Waldos, and Slackers: A Decade-by-Decade Guide to the Vanishing Vocabulary of the Twentieth Century 3.44 avg rating — 39 ratings — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Slinging Mud: Rude Nicknames, Scurrilous Slogans, and Insulting Slang from Two Centuries of American Politics 3.83 avg rating — 23 ratings — published 2011 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Let's Talk Turkey: The Stories Behind America's Favorite Expressions 3.48 avg rating — 21 ratings — published 2008 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Splendiferous Speech: How Early Americans Pioneered Their Own Brand of English 3.80 avg rating — 15 ratings — 10 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The United States of English: The American Language from Colonial Times to the Twenty-First Century really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 5 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Theoretical Syntax 1980-1990: An Annotated and Classified Bibliography 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 1992 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars