I have stumbled upon a great podcast called the “Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing.”  This is the first (and only) podcast that I have subscribed to, but I wanted to make sure that I shared it with you.  (First blogging, now podcasts…what’s next?)

If you feel like you need a little extra help with your own grammar or usage, or you just happen love grammar as so many of us do, you should check it out.  The useful tips, which are easy to follow and remember, are explained and read by Mignon Fogarty.  There is also a recently published book by this author and a website if you would like more information:  http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/default.aspx. 

The last podcast was about the differences between ensure, insure, and assure.  At the end of the podcast, there was an announcement for a story contest from a bookstore in Reno, Nevada.  The contest is to write a spooky story in 250 words or less.  You can get more information about the contest by clicking this link: http://sundancebookstore.com/htdocs/Pages/spooky_fiction.html.  I think I will give it a try.  If nothing else it is a good exercise in being concise!  I may even encourage some of my students to enter a story.

Good luck!

~Melissa