Brushing Up and Being a Grammar Nerd

I like being a Grammar Brat.  The more I learn, the less — I realize — I actually know. But that's what progress looks like. Our language is a defiant, mind-boggling fiend, I tell you!

Meh.

We Grammar Brats love the processes of explaining and fixing and teaching . . . even if we ourselves are in the same boat (hahaha, yes, we're hypocrites, a lot of us). The thing is, English Grammar and mechanics are very fluid depending on the style, author preference, country, and even trade being written in. Fiction? No prob. Break as many rules as would give Grammar Professors heart attacks. (They'll be fine, I promise.) The thing to aim for in fiction is the general, updated consensus. Language changes, and those changes become accepted. Knowing the "rules" helps for a pleasing reading experience, and it makes your style strong and consistent, but the rules can be bent. 

As like many Grammar Brats, I couldn't help myself. I went on a help-spree on Skillshare, and I poked some holes in some editor/grammar tips when I noticed incorrect usage and the omission of information on 1) dialogue and quotations, 2) on modification of quotes using brackets, and 3) on a few other very important things which can help writers move from the novice stage to a more expert one.

(If you want some more writing tips that aren't so Grammar heavy, head here, to my free Wattpad book.  Otherwise, skim down for the extra Grammar tips I'd thought might be extra helpful and enlightening.)

Writing Tips

Welcome to My Crazy:

Sorry for being a stickler on grammar, but I want to help ensure your future viewers will have the best learning experience.  There were several mistakes and things not mentioned which I want to point out.  Other than that, you’ve given excellent advice and are quite accurate with most of your stuff.

Okay…

I saw nothing on interrobangs, yet I've seen many writers use them incorrectly.  The question mark always comes before the exclamation point, not the reverse, and only one of each punctuation should be applied, not multiple.

On Video 59:

The quote within the dialogue tag was incorrect on your third example, around the 1:23 time stamp.  The double-apostrophe belongs on the outside, framing set of dialogue tags, and the single-apostrophe signifies within it that the second set is something (said by another person) which is being reiterated by the current speaker. 

The same rule is applied to curved brackets, square brackets, and parentheses (in that order) in both math and English.  Further, commas always go inside of the dialogue tag or quote tag, even if the quote is part of a series of quotes.  It is the same for the period you placed outside of the quotation marks at the very end of that slide.  I believe the British rules allow for some variation in certain places, but in American English, this is the rule.  Clarifying this would help your future viewers greatly.

You mentioned nothing about indented quotes within text, where the quote exceeds a certain number of lines or sentences and must be separated entirely from the paragraph.  In that case, the paragraph ends with a colon, just before the beginning of the long quote.  That long quote is then moved down the document / essay / work.  Then, that whole quote-paragraph is indented, with the proper use of opening and closing quotations.  The first line of that indented paragraph is not given further indentation, either.  Next, ellipses within quotes indicate excess words not valid to the point of your argument, and using brackets around certain modified words within the quote signifies these changes were not part of the original quote itself, and it thus assures readers of accuracy and that there is neither copyright infringement nor plagiarism.

Another important note for quotations is when there are multiple paragraphs of extended dialogue, where quotation marks are treated another way not often intuited by novice writers.  There is no quotation mark at the end of the paragraph if the speaker’s dialogue continues into the next paragraph.  The next paragraph simply picks up a new opening set of quotation marks, and that dialogue runs until the speaker finishes, in which case the ending quotation mark is finally applied. 

On Video 61: In the case of dashes: there are more forms than the one you mentioned.  You used a hyphen where you should have used one of two other types of dashes: the N dash or the M dash.  (Neither are as short as the hyphen.) The N dash is the shorter of the two and the M dash is the longer.  Both N and M dashes serve to replace the same punctuation(s): a single comma gets a single N or M dash; a set of commas will be replaced by a set of N or M dashes; and a set of parenthesis will be replaced by a set of N or M dashes.  Depending upon the rules or common practices of the publisher, the N dash often has a space before and after, and the M dash does not.  A hyphen is not used by every publisher as the standard dash, as it can be too easily confused with something intended as a hyphen.  Visually, it is also an unpleasing differentiation where other alternatives can be used.

Another note on the dashes: both N and M dashes are interchangeable and depend upon the program being used and the publisher’s chosen guidelines—but they must be used consistently throughout a document.  One or the other, not both.  A twice-typed hyphen is automatically converted into an M dash in some programs but not in others, where it must be copied and pasted instead.  And if the copy and paste does not result in the intended N or M dash, simply typing two hyphens, one after the other--and with or without a space before and after the mark--will often suffice.  Again, ensure consistency when deciding whether to apply the space before and after.

Final note on video 61: no comma at time stamp 1:10 on your first example.

So, there you have it.  Some incredibly complex (yet easy to remember once put into practice) rules for beautiful punctuation!  It was very fun to correct another editor, haha!  I hope this was helpful!

Send me a message on my Contact Me form if you'd like to see some more grammar rules, or if I've missed something important!  The form is at the bottom of my home page at https://www.7bloodfire.com/.



And good grief, this would have been a perfect time to have worn my "Because...#Reasons" shirt!  I'd have felt quite smug, wearing that! If you purchase one, it goes toward helping me write more books, create more art, and give more advice. And you'd be my hero!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084TT5M83?customId=B07536XX75&th=1

Book - Writing TIps

https://www.wattpad.com/story/6000021-writing-tips

Giving Book Club Book Reviews

Book Reviews

Questions to Answer

Many writers know a writing group or a book club can help them improve.  Some join existing clubs, others create their own.  But what do they a great deal of really good ones have in common?

The writers involved look over each other's manuscripts, analyze and comment, and review what has been mentioned on their own.

This is one of the lists I always give to my own book club members.  For beginning writers, this is invaluable.  With it, you can begin to learn to look at a manuscript the way an editor does.  When you are ready to edit your own (or another's) work, crack open a notebook and answer these questions.

1. Description or Blurb - Clarity, conciseness, consistent voice, level of tone / diction / syntax, grammar, intrigue, clear genre and age level.
2. Opening - Lines & paragraphs have a spark or a hook?  Something that draws you?
3. First chapter - Is it confusing or vague through the first chapter? Does it draw the attention?  What can be done to improve it?  Are things defined well enough for lay man readers?
4. Draw - Does the first chapter(s) end where I am drawn to turn the page?
5. Dramatic questions - Are the dramatic questions obvious?
6. Inciting incident - Is the inciting incident obvious?
7. Original world / actions - Are the original world and original default actions clear?
8. Realistic - Are the details consistent and realistic, or a little bit...strange?  Unfathomable?
9. Repetition - Are there any words or ideas that are repeated several times, or which are weird in the descriptions?  Which should be removed?
10. Flow - Does it flow flawlessly and smoothly instead of bumbling with run-on sentences or awkward things that make reading difficult?
11. Grammar / punctuation - How well did they do with grammar and punctuation?
12. Tense and pov consistency - Does the tense or pov change, or is it flowing and consistent?
13. First Person -  Is the word “I” repeated over and over in this pov?
14. Voice (etc) - How well did they do with voice? Tone? Diction? Syntax?
15. Descriptions - How well did they do with sensory / thought / emotion / picturesque descriptions?  Do the descriptions ever slow the progress of the plot in favor of pretty phrases?  Do the chapters use long passages of exposition to fill the reader in on histories and back information rather than let the story itself hint throughout the entire work what has happened before?  Are there moments where you begin to skim through rather than read diligently?  Beware that.  Are there symbols or metaphors relating to a bigger picture or theme wrought throughout the descriptions?  Is there too much dialogue?  Too few dramatic questions hidden in the descriptions?  Are the interactions between the characters riddled with enough tension or micro tension that the environment itself, as perceived by a character, has become a character in and of itself?
16. Plot clarity - How clear is the plot?  Does it lag?
17. Recommendation - How highly would you recommend it to others?  Would you buy this book, even from first glance?
18. Overall judgment and flavor - Personal opinions.  Ideas on how to improve, or where.
19. Minor opinions per chapter - Comment on what you liked or didn’t like per chapter.  Or other information.

Make sure you pay very special attention to your opening line / paragraphs / first chapter.  It can make or break your book for your readers.  Think of ways to shorten what you are saying in order to make it more concise, quicker in pace, and faster to reveal what is going on.  DO NOT DALLY.  That's my rule on Chapter One.  Hook, line, and sink.

The Dos and Don'ts of Taking Your Writing to a Career Level

A few years ago, I decided to stop circling my writerly wishes and set some career goals.  Since I did not set deadlines, it took me a lot longer than I'd intended to even start to get my act together.

Get your North figured out.

If you want to get published by a traditional publisher or become self-published, you are going to need to start with being realistic.  Tell yourself you’re not likely to hit it big with just your first book, not unless you learn everything necessary to the industry, marketing, networking, platforming, editing (quiz: what’s a galley edit?), or the inside-out, know-hows of writing and selling commercially publishable bestsellers’ material.  Ever thought of taxes as being part of the overarching process?  Bookkeeping?  Yep.  Most don't.

My intent is to become a full-time author. Is yours? 

Turn this into a checklist, print it out, put it in with your Career Goals, and then research the hell out of each topic.  Figure out what is best for you personally, and then adapt it.  Take detailed notes as you learn, and share what you learn as you go--it helps you understand what you are learning better.  And most importantly, always work toward completing the next step.

This is the order of business:

• Research apps that help writers and test them.
• Research habits of successful, bestselling writers.
• Research pitches, synopsis, plot structure, querries, etc.
• Research productivity tips for writers.  There are ways to reach 10,000 words a day, guys.  Familiarizing yourself with recording devices is one of them.  It is awkward at first, just like learning to type is, so I suggest using them for writing prompts first, to practice.
• Research how to write commercial fiction: plot structure, character arcs, and other components of stories.  There's a huge list of things that goes into a commercially successful book.
• Research Trello and editorial calendars. You may use other systems, but Trello has served me best and I like that it's free and very versatile.  Editorial Calendars will give you deadlines and push you to achieve more by certain dates.
• Write a business plan. Where do you (as a writer) want to be in five years? Ten Years? How many books do you want to have published 2 years from now? How many books do you want to have published by the end of next year?  Make sure you have a forgiveness process because you don't want to push yourself into tears when you don't reach goals.  At least you made progress!!!
• Research the editing processes (there are multiple rounds and types of them).
• Research the marketing process (web design, business cards, tag lines, reviews, etc).
• Research platform development - and get started NOW!!!  Even if you take baby steps. Having a single user ID across many social media platforms helps your searchability.  I always try to make mine 7bloodfire -- whether I am on Twitter, Facebook, Wattpad, or elsewhere .  I even own the 7bloodfire.com domain name for 10$ a year through Enom.)
• Research how to create your own brand.  Think series books, or a specific type of fiction or memoir you are good at or enjoy a lot.  That’s what your brand will be from, and you need to figure out what it is and how to develop it.
• Research how to make money from writing novels, how to set improve sales and traffic, etc.  This includes website analytics and conversion rates.
• Research what all goes into a self-published book: cover pages, ISBNs, EINs, marketing, costs for print, promotions, gift ideas as promotions, contest ideas as promotions, etc.
• Research how to promote your book: conferences, tours, press releases, starting book clubs, etc.
• Research Web Site Development and HTML.
• Plan the focus and layout of your site, blog, etc.  You'll want an overall goal the site will achieve, and an action funnel that drives people to that ending action.
• Create your site, blog, etc, and link them all in a very tactical way while thinking of that action funnel.
• Research networking and creating business partnerships. Implement as it comes up.
• Start, join, or hire: Review Groups / Beta Readers / Book Clubs.
• Attend Seminars / Conferences / Webinars / PodCasts, etc.
• Research setting up Seminars / Conferences / Webinars / Podcasts
• Set Up your own Appearances at Seminars / Conferences / Webinars / Podcasts later, when you are famous, too.  If this is a goal, it stays on the list.  Get used to the idea that writing is a business.  And businesses have training seminars and meetings.
• Research and Develop Email Lists, Customer / Fan Bases, etc.
• Research and then get paypal or other online and POS (point of sale) banking methods of getting paid for ebooks and physical books.
• Research and keep up with Industry News.
• Research genre types and how to write in them.  Same with looking up published books’ lengths.  This gives you idea on what is expected across the board.
• Create a Career Journal and add to it: Projects, Goals, Syllabus, Scheduling, Tours, Travel, etc.
• Improve your writing productivity one project at a time.  You could improve more than just speed with a dictation app or program--it also trains you to speak comfortably and publicly.  If you don't have a dictation app, just record yourself and transcribe it later.
• Incorporate all research or research notes' file links into one place for easy reference.
• Put the editorial calendar to use.
• Practice and incorporate anything new that works - dictation and transcribing? Yeah!
• Research copyright laws, like Fair Use, Plagiarism, etc.
• Research using social media for business use, like marketing campaigns, posting times and frequency, etc.
• Research blog post types, like Round Up posts and other types.
• Implement Deadlines, break down your project into stages, and strive to meet those deadlines.

I am a little over halfway through my list.  And I HIGHLY recommend Trello for the Editorial Calendar, as I mentioned.  It also works for book writing processes and many other things. Here's a link to Trello, if you want to get started: Trello.com.

So, as you can see, if you’re like me and got the ball rolling before you knew where it was going to have to go in order to get commercial, you’ll have to put the writing addiction on the back burner in order to get your alphabet straight. You have to research what to research.  Having a good list to start with HELPS.

As for improving your skill at the craft? I always recommend Donald Maas’s Writing 21st Century Fiction.  It’s...AMAZING.  There are a lot of really good books out there, though, and I couldn't even begin to name all of the ones I've read and enjoyed thoroughly.

By the way, traditional publishers want you to already have a huge platform with a couple of thousand fans anyway.  You’ll be marketing your own material even if they sign you on, and after 6 months, whether your book sells or not, you become competition to the very company that signed you on.  (Better look up publishing contracts while you’re researching! There is a saving grace called a backlist.)  Also, they don't always catch every error.  The pros of self-publishing have increased against the cons over the years, so the many hats is a plausible step for many writers now.  Self included.

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Thanks for stopping by!  I'm glad if any of my advice here on my writer blog is helpful!

Police Descriptions...Uh-Oh.

Well, I just made myself laugh on accident while I was reviewing / editing for a lady in London.  I was giving some advice on descriptions, and I ended up writing something funny and not at all expected. Here's the excerpt. The punch line is at the end.

     Ah, and the reason this was highlighted was it is a police description, with a couple of words added, like gorgeous' and 'perfect'.

Pick one striking feature and mention it. Put the rest in your personal story guide as reminders for yourself of what the character looks like, and occasionally draw one or two other striking features for purposes of giving the readers new features to focus on. All at once is like reading a grocery shopping list. Except it's worse. It's more like a list of college books and math utensils. There isn't even anything yummy on that kind of list--unless you're a goat. In which case, paper is absolutely-frickin'-delicious.

 Hahaha. 

This is a thing, though.  A lot of less experienced writers tend to list features in their descriptions, and it comes out sounding like a police descrip on a suspect or a missing persons report.  Follow the advice I gave to my client here.