2007: Finished while working full time and thought it was hard. I mock my childless self.

2008: Finished while working full time and with lingering pregnancy sickness.

2009: Finished (a day early!) while working a small freelance job and caring full time for a six month old. Thanks for the fireworks, [...]]]> NaNoWriMo: a personal history

2007: Finished while working full time and thought it was hard. I mock my childless self.

2008: Finished while working full time and with lingering pregnancy sickness.

2009: Finished (a day early!) while working a small freelance job and caring full time for a six month old. Thanks for the fireworks, NaNoWriMo. I feel I deserve them this year.

Looking ahead to 2010: Can it be done with a toddler in the house? The most daunting challenge yet…

In celebration, I spent some time with The Chicago Manual of Style. I was surprised to learn that “Jr.” and “Inc.” no longer require commas; if commas are used, you have to put in one on either side. (See that? I’m trying out some punctuation rules at the same time. [...]]]> Happy belated National Grammar Day!

In celebration, I spent some time with The Chicago Manual of Style. I was surprised to learn that “Jr.” and “Inc.” no longer require commas; if commas are used, you have to put in one on either side. (See that? I’m trying out some punctuation rules at the same time. I have a comma problem.)

For example:

I liked Robert Downey Jr. in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
Harry Connick, Jr., is playing on my Pandora radio station.

I am fond of Gap Inc. stores.
or, less desirably,
Monsters, Inc., has a comma in its title.

You know you’re a word geek when this is the most exciting thing you learn all day. I think I could read The Chicago like a novel.