Grammar Girl: The quick and dirty interview

Forget “Gossip Girl.” Grammar Girl is where it’s at it is.

Mignon “Grammar Girl” Fogarty is the creator of Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing, the popular educational podcast about, yes, grammar and usage. And yes, it really is extremely popular.

Fogarty has a new book out based on her podcast, which she will be signing tomorrow at the Georgia Center for the Book. As a grammarphile myself (and someone who’s looking for something to do with a B.A. in English), I jumped at the chance to talk to her (via e-mail).

When did you first realize you were destined to be a grammarhound?

About two years ago I was working as a technical writer and editor and realized that I was seeing the same errors over and over again — things such as “that” versus “which,” “its” versus “it’s” and people overusing “of.” I had become interested in podcasting around the same time, and it stuck me that a fun podcast with grammar and writing tips could be useful. I wouldn’t say it was as much destiny as it was having a good idea at the right time.