Grammar Quirks: JoAnn Chaney on the #CommasMatter Movement

Grammar Girl: What’s your favorite word and why?

JoAnn Chaney: I can’t say I have a favorite word in particular, but I do tend to like the words that most people seem to hate. You know, the words that get a visceral reaction. "Moist." "Vomit." "Squirt." "Panties." I’ve watched people cringe when they hear those words used, and the simple power of a few letters strung together never fails to amaze me.

GG: What’s a word you dislike (either because it’s overused or misused) and why?

JC: I hate when people use the word "literally." I get when it’s used for emphasis, but c’mon. Unless you are Chris Traeger on "Parks and Rec," please stahp.

GG: What word will you always misspell?

JC: Success, although I have a rhyme I learned from an episode of The Simpsons that helps me remember. “S-U-C-C-E-S-S, that’s the way you spell SUCCESS." And vaccuum. I think it’s something about those double letters that throws me.

GG: What word (or semblance of a word) would you like to see added to the dictionary? Why?

JC: I’ve considered this question for longer than I’d like to admit, and I have to say I can’t think of a single one that hasn’t already been added. But I will say I’m a big fan of urbandictionary.com, where a lot of new slang is added. Browsing through that site keeps me hip and cool. Maybe.

I can’t say I have a favorite word in particular, but I do tend to like the words that most people seem to hate.

GG: Any grammar pet peeves we should know about?

JC: I’m a big supporter of the #commasmatter movement. (Although it has been said I tend to either over- or under-use the comma myself.) Leaving a comma out can make a big difference and can lead to some hilarious sentences. Like:

Let’s eat Grandma! vs. Let’s eat, Grandma!

Or

Time to eat some Chinese baby! vs. Time to eat some Chinese, baby!

See? Commas totally matter.

GG: To what extent does grammar play a role in character development and voice?

JC: Oh, grammar definitely plays a huge part in both voice and character development. For example, my character Detective Loren speaks in short, fragmented sentences, and that tells the reader a lot about him as a man—things like...

Keep reading on Quick and Dirty Tips