On Words: Insights into How Our Words Work-And Don't

by Paula LaRocque

From pesky pronouns and preferred pronunciations to the common media mistakes that mar the language, this offbeat romp provides humor and insight into the aspects and words of the English language that make it come to life. Five sections, each dealing with a broad area of language and word usage, present interesting etymologies, the effects words have on our lives, and how language reflects one’s personality. Word and language lovers will take delight in the "Words and the Calendar" section, which analyzes the many words relating to days, months, and time in general. The "Words on Words" section will also have readers laughing at the hilarious chapter on the many words and metaphors encompassing the word "foot," from "put your foot in your mouth" to "footlights."

224 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

Paula is an editor, communications consultant, and author of nonfiction who has recently turned her attention to writing fiction. Her first novel, a mystery titled “Chalk Line,” will be published by Marion Street Press, Inc., in 2011.

Often hailed as one of America’s foremost writing coaches, Paula has conducted writing workshops for hundreds of media, government, academic, and business groups across the United States, Canada, and Europe. She also has served as a writing consultant for the Associated Press, the Drehscheibe Institute in Bonn, and the European Stars & Stripes in Germany.

From 1971 to 1981, she taught technical communication at Western Michigan University’s School of Engineering and, after moving to Texas, taught journalism at Texas A&M, Southern Methodist, and Texas Christian universities. From 1981 to 2001, she was assistant managing editor and writing coach at The Dallas Morning News.

She has been a columnist for the Society of Professional Journalists’ Quill magazine for more than 20 years. Her commentaries on the language air regularly on National Public Radio in Dallas, and she’s author of three books on writing (Marion Street Press).

After leaving The Dallas Morning News in 2001, Paula -- now a member of the Mystery Writers of America and of the Dallas-Fort Worth Writers Workshop -- wrote the first two books of a mystery series. The series features detective Ben Gallagher and is set in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

A member of the Associated Press Managing Editors association from the early 1990s through 2001, she was elected to the Board of Directors and appointed an officer. In 2001, the association granted her its highest honor: the Meritorious Service Award for exemplary contribution to journalism.

She earned a BA degree Summa Cum Laude in 1971 and an MA in 1972 (Western Michigan University). She also worked on a doctorate, but her career became so demanding she did not complete it.