As most of you folks know, Roxann is in the midst of the moving adventure…trying to find appropriate on-post housing, arranging Army movers, changing up utilities & all those other headaches and pains in the ass life necessities associated with moving.

In the meantime, I have quite a bit going on between freelance projects, The Blue Inkwell, and private client projects. Oh, and not to mention a co-authored book project with a colleague to slip in between all the other on-going goings-on around here.

I just wanted to express my thanks to everyone who is sticking it out with us and offering their encouragement. Roxann and I may discuss a lighter posting schedule (rather than daily posting) once things settle down. Perhaps posting meaningful info on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, rather than daily entries, as it would seem the daily posting is getting a bit taxing on both of us.

Thank you all for your suggestions for topics you’d like to see, things you want to discuss, and resources you’d like us to find for you. We’re working on those ideas for upcoming posts. (I have a few ideas for contests too that I need to discuss with Roxann, after the move.)

I’d love to hear your input/suggestions/requests in terms of post frequency, since our posting schedule is going to be one of the first changes we make here at Two & a Half. What works for you guys? Do you read blogs daily, on the weekends, whenever you remember? Do you depend on your feed reader to remind you when to read your favorite blogs? I want to make sure the changes Roxann and I make work for you guys, as well as working for us.

I am continually amazed at the community here at Two & a Half. You guys are just…there are no words to adequately express how happy I am Roxann and I decided to do this mother/daughter writing blog…and that you guys have so graciously come along for the ride. I hope you guys get as much out of Two & a Half as we do. I know I sure enjoy having ya’ll around.

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For those of you that didn’t catch on from my “About Me” section.  My husband is in the Army. I know this seems like it has nothing to do with writing, and in a way it doesn’t (we won’t go into how it has a lot to do with MY writing… that’s another story for another day.) However, my husband’s job does have something to do with this blog (at least right now).

For the last couple months, we have been talking about moving on post.  We feel the apartment we are in currently, though not too shabby for a first home to two newly weds, is not a good or very safe place for the pip-squeek.  We finally decided to do it and the hubs went in for an appointment with housing today.  We are up for the next offer.  As soon as they have an open downstairs unit open, we get a call telling us when we move in.

Now I’m sure you’re saying “I thought this had something to do with Two and a Half Writers” well here’s where that comes in.  We have no way at all to know when the next opening will be, for all we know we could get a call Monday saying we can move in Friday. This leaves me to make sure everything is in order before the unknown date arrives.  I have to clean, pack, and blah blah blah blah blah.  Which also means I’m going to be busy as hell for the next little while, and may not get a chance to post (I know I told you just yesterday that I’d still be posting every other day.  I think you will live though .)  Once we get our new place I don’t know how long it will be, before our internet services are transferred over to our new home.

During all this moving madness I’m going to try to think of some ideas and techniques to share with all of you. (When I get a chance to think about something other than what I need to get done for the m move.)  Hopefully when I return I’ll have plenty of new stuff to offer.

One last thing before I hit the publish button and return to the chaos that is cleaning my house.  If you have any suggestions at all, for posts that you would like to see, send them in.  We’d be more than happy to do what we can to help you out on your journey.

I know I said this yesterday, but you guys really are awesome!  Mom and I both greatly appreciate your understand while everything has been going crazy on our end of things.

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Okay, so maybe Shakespeare wasn’t a pussy, but he gave us a great opportunity to discuss passive voice.

“To be or not to be…” One of the most famous lines of Shakepearian prose. Hamlet’s question isn’t just about life or death. It’s also a perfect question on passive voice. “To be” verbs – should have, could have, would have written a stronger sentence, if I wasn’t such a wimp.

Passive voice – the wussy, wishy-washy sign of a an amateur writer. It’s a sure fire way to let the world know you’re too much of a pussy to say what you really mean.

I’ll admit it – passive voice is one of my own bad habits. I tend to write “in theory” rather than directly.

For example, I tend to say things like “if you want to improve your writing, you could take a few workshops or perhaps you might be able to join a critique group in your area.”

When what I really should say is “to improve your writing, take workshops or join a critique group in your area.”

Do you see the difference? Not only is the second sentence shorter and easier to read, it’s also stronger. None of that wishy-washy “to be” stuff.

Passive voice is a hard habit to break. The single biggest tool against passive voice isn’t a book, or grammar lessons, or writing exercises. It’s a mindset. Loosing your passive tendencies is all about mindset.

Ever hear the old adage “say what you mean and mean what you say?” It’s the perfect reminder.

Don’t just sort of say something, maybe, perhaps, if the reader would like to hear it. SAY IT. Say it with confidence and vigor.

A good writer should be able to write with confidence.

No.

Good writers write with confidence.

See the difference?

Your writing should be strong, short, to the point. Don’t beat around the bush about it. Say it. Say it like you mean it. Don’t talk about what “should be” “might be” or “could be” – talk about what IS. Have the confidence in what you are saying to be able to say it outright, not with wimpy “to be” verbs, but with real, concrete action verbs.

Do something.

Say something.

Mean something.

Using passive voice is like asking permission to say something, or saying it with a qualifying apology in case you’re wrong, or you offend someone.

It could be that…

You might want to…

He should have…

She could have…

Passive, passive, passive. It’s being a pussy about what you have to say or what your characters are doing.

Now granted, passive voice isn’t completely evil. There are times when its necessary. Kind of like salt. Somethings just don’t taste right without salt. But you use it in moderation. Passive voice is the same. Use it sparingly, and only when nothing else conveys the message appropriately. Generally speaking, your target should be under 10% passive voice, no matter the piece. (Yes, I realize that’s passive voice…suitable in this instance because we’re talking a hypothetical scenario and a general target, not a bullseye goal.)

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