The session was entertaining, and above all a game change. See I was all high and mighty - firmly in the camp that everyone should always use correct spelling and grammer. Anything less was just wrong.
Jonathon Ridnell took the aforementioned Astle as well as Nicole Hayes, Matt Blackwood and Fiona Scott-Norman through an almost debate style presentation, each putting forth their ideas for why correct grammar was important, or not.
There were two moments that were the game changer. Astle saying "English has booby-traps, have empathy" was the first. Have empathy. I'd been wrong all this time. This was particularly disturbing seeing as I have been caught by these booby-traps from time to time. The second moment was Scott-Norman retelling how her mother wouldn't write to her when she was a child, which understandably upset her, but it was all because her mother could not read or write well. Game, set, match. Because it's better to write poorly than not at it, isn't it?
Why discuss this now? Firstly I'm not sure why I didn't blog about it last year, perhaps I could not find the words. Secondly because, well, Astle attended the festival this year and once again I thoroughly enjoyed every single one of his sessions.
Photo: Helen Konstan
He, quite understandably, has a way with words. I suppose he's easy on the eye too, or so I heard from listening to other attendees ;) It's the words that get me though.
I had many opportunities to have a chat with David, but my old friends nervousness and fear got in the way. You see I was afraid I'd have nothing intelligent to say. Horrifying!
Our WiA in-house photographer had better ideas though, and upon me mentioning that I wished I'd plucked up the courage at the writers drinks night promptly introduced us, and took this lovely snap.
Maybe next year I'll have a full wordly conversation. Maybe I'll come prepared to ensure that I don't sound silly.
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