tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post2735205467784949465..comments2024-03-18T09:09:59.625-04:00Comments on Janet Reid, Literary Agent: Just to be clearJanet Reidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-71126957706024977002010-06-21T13:45:19.991-04:002010-06-21T13:45:19.991-04:00The can/may distinction is a fallacy. If it were n...The can/may distinction is a fallacy. If it were not grammatically possible to say "Can I...?" when asking permission, then competent speakers of English would not do it.<br /><br />Other fallacies: that you can't end a sentence with a preposition, and that you can't split an infinitive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-52966086399107020632010-06-18T20:39:07.324-04:002010-06-18T20:39:07.324-04:00Are you accepting comments to your blog posts?Are you accepting comments to your blog posts?patrickflynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06376533673559144088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-24791215746888534492010-05-08T12:27:16.031-04:002010-05-08T12:27:16.031-04:00The can/may distinction was pounded into me as a c...The can/may distinction was pounded into me as a child by my parents (in the nicest possible way). Anytime I began with, "Can I..." (when it should have been "May I...") they would reply, "I don't know. Are you able?"<br /><br />I'd like to report that I always use the two words properly when speaking, but I definitely do not, even though I can (and may)!Scotti Cohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03550034108886104840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-45443478117550129432009-07-25T12:35:42.834-04:002009-07-25T12:35:42.834-04:00I'm new to your blog and just came via a serie...I'm new to your blog and just came via a series of links from one blog to another. I'm really enjoying it so far - and not just because I love finding a fellow grammar fan!<br /><br />I work in a library and regularly have kids come to me and ask <i>Can I use a computer</i> (or have headphones, or use the phone...)<br /><br />I no longer hold myself back. My answer is always <i>I don't know? Can you?</i> =D<br /><br />Said with a mischievous grin, the kids catch on quick and actually find it kind of fun.<br /><br />That being said - I was once told in a communications workshop I attended that in business communication, you sound intimidating if you ask "Will you do X" but if you ask "Can you do X" (meaning "will you") it sounds more friendly.Shannanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18426088187599406583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-68039347305812287962009-07-19T13:43:16.022-04:002009-07-19T13:43:16.022-04:00Zombie romance? Eeeewwww. Falling off body parts? ...Zombie romance? Eeeewwww. Falling off body parts? Brain stew? Eeeewww.Rebecca Ryals Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10742580783652702337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-40921652488492846402009-07-07T20:38:34.659-04:002009-07-07T20:38:34.659-04:00I had so much fun reading this and all your other ...I had so much fun reading this and all your other blogs with advice about what and what not to do when querying agents that I had to share it with my friends, so I wrote about your blog on my blog: http://erwomelsduff.blogspot.com/2009/07/too-stupid-to-live-janet-reid-reveals.html<br /><br />Thank you for being alive. It makes me happy to know that there are professional people out there with a sense of humor and the guts to be brutally honest.E.R. Womelsduffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02526511818836085320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-73347266340934129052009-07-03T13:51:56.906-04:002009-07-03T13:51:56.906-04:00Can I send you a query for my memoir? Or am I TSTL...Can I send you a query for my memoir? Or am I TSTL?Marjoriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13323661411548419175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-37636007771071252622009-07-01T19:29:43.636-04:002009-07-01T19:29:43.636-04:00I can't believe people were actually asking wh...I can't believe people were actually asking what TSTL means. Asking what TSTL means is just downright ZQDR.<br /><br />I mean, really.Steve Stubbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10051363877066768708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-9331856296647422212009-06-30T21:44:27.479-04:002009-06-30T21:44:27.479-04:00You just read my mind, Janet. That's just what...You just read my mind, Janet. That's just what I was thinking at that moment. (I must be psychic.)And even though I used the dictionary twice, I still misspelled colloquially. Now I can sleep tonight.Kylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08627312129304745663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-69474387329555166522009-06-30T21:38:21.647-04:002009-06-30T21:38:21.647-04:00In all fairness, I did put the link in AFTER I saw...In all fairness, I did put the link in AFTER I saw comments indicating people were not familiar with it.Janet Reidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00615380335938685231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32959545394821021562009-06-30T20:15:55.804-04:002009-06-30T20:15:55.804-04:00I didn't know what TSTL stood for either, but ...I didn't know what TSTL stood for either, but at least I knew enough to click on the link to find out. . .Rain Likelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11890603783025457025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-66936175386722572412009-06-29T23:17:35.796-04:002009-06-29T23:17:35.796-04:00I think people ask these questions to begin a conn...I think people ask these questions to begin a connection with an agent.<br /><br />Biff W. Writer: "Can I query you? I just want to check because I just want to, you know, just cross my eyes and dot my Tees." (aw shucks, folks)<br /><br />Special Agent Q: "Whatever."<br /><br />Biff W. Writer (to himself): "The agent will remember me as a real go-getter, someone who is thorough and professional. Plus, I got Special Agent Q to give me three seconds of her time. I'm already halfway there!"Benjamin Sobieckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18343962892479384825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-28256692452926776262009-06-29T22:07:17.311-04:002009-06-29T22:07:17.311-04:00I love the urban dictionary!
That's all. lol...I love the urban dictionary!<br /><br />That's all. lolCrystal Poseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09939745305440912406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-27456408424411665532009-06-29T08:52:09.623-04:002009-06-29T08:52:09.623-04:00Okay,okay, I'll just send the damn query!Okay,okay, I'll just send the damn query!MAGollahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06740642718595310949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-47466096749724306242009-06-29T08:49:34.579-04:002009-06-29T08:49:34.579-04:00:):)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-62686150577862753612009-06-29T05:29:24.360-04:002009-06-29T05:29:24.360-04:00Not sure why people ask questions before reading a...Not sure why people ask questions before reading available information anyway.Riehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10129030349778144807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-48899750526110222452009-06-28T23:43:16.493-04:002009-06-28T23:43:16.493-04:00TSTL ha ha ha. I love visting your blog and readin...TSTL ha ha ha. I love visting your blog and reading your posts.<br /><br />Thanks!Cassidyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07942983157163111973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-32611502475729278352009-06-28T23:34:35.211-04:002009-06-28T23:34:35.211-04:00Thank you very much, Suzan. That was very kind. ...Thank you very much, Suzan. That was very kind. And thank you also for the link. I'll be sure to check it out when I get the chance.<br /><br />Novice Writer Anonymous<br /><br />novicewriterchronicles.blogspot.comStephanie McGeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16507025637411479409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-26060785020942416642009-06-28T22:48:11.535-04:002009-06-28T22:48:11.535-04:00For Novice Writer and Leigh,
TSTL stands for &quo...For Novice Writer and Leigh,<br /><br />TSTL stands for "too stupid to live." It's generally applied to heroines in the romance and horror genres, like the stereotypical blond, scantily-clad cheerleader who goes down into the basement when the power's out and she knows a serial killer's on the loose. The term can be applied to any protagonist in any story though.<br /><br />There's a lovely website to check out - www.acronymfinder. com. It's very helpful in understanding text messages from my nieces.Suzan Hardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04600258874634909988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-78517119419740646332009-06-28T20:26:26.817-04:002009-06-28T20:26:26.817-04:00Dear Ms. Janet;
I know you don't accept scien...Dear Ms. Janet;<br /><br />I know you don't accept science fiction, but is it okay if I send you a query for it anyway? Just wondering, 'cause I wouldn't want to send you anything you wouldn't want...<br /><br />BJBJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02486893836923864197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-23212815341296568022009-06-28T18:38:03.871-04:002009-06-28T18:38:03.871-04:00oh boy...oh boy...laughingwolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873675614347328116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-83431110019918952202009-06-28T16:52:27.191-04:002009-06-28T16:52:27.191-04:00I'm sorry... but what does TSTL mean? I'm ...I'm sorry... but what does TSTL mean? I'm not good with the internet speak thing. Also, I looked it up and none of the choices made sense.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10228310208211135706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-22227961812273559302009-06-28T16:31:50.622-04:002009-06-28T16:31:50.622-04:00I've had agents misuse can/may also, like &quo...I've had agents misuse can/may also, like "You can send the pages by email." I know I can, in fact, I'm very good at it! I try not to disqualify them for such a dastardly misuse; I just assume they're speaking colloqially. Of course, if you said this, Janet, I'd be very disappointed in you.Kylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08627312129304745663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-51368838726460597372009-06-28T16:27:37.025-04:002009-06-28T16:27:37.025-04:00But what if we email first to ask for permission t...But what if we email <i>first</i> to ask for permission to send one of the emails you mentioned? Then it's okay, right? <i>*snort*</i>H. L. Dyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11054946734073372817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17040756.post-4422078215425195522009-06-28T15:45:14.006-04:002009-06-28T15:45:14.006-04:00I haven't been through every post of yours so ...I haven't been through every post of yours so forgive me for asking, but what does TSTL stand for? I really try to read through the archives on the blogs I follow but sometimes little things like acronyms slip through my brain without registering.<br /><br /><br />I do very much appreciate all the advice and information given on your blog.Stephanie McGeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16507025637411479409noreply@blogger.com