Write well. Write often. Edit wisely.
English is a forgiving and accommodating language. And that means that writers have a whole lot of leeway when it comes to deciding how to word phrases and structure sentences. A sentence can consist of a single independent clause (simple sentence), multiple independent clauses (compound sentence), or at least one dependent clause and at least […]
Continue reading Word Choice, Word Order, and Word Placement Can Matter »
Punctuating interrupted dialogue is a confusing topic for both writers and editors, but there is a definitive answer to the question, “how do you punctuate interrupted dialogue?” Use dashes.
Gerunds look like verbs but act like nouns. Explore the variety of uses for gerunds.
Deciding between attributive and possessive can be tricky, but a few tips should help you decide if an apostrophe is needed.
Exclamation points can easily overwhelm both stories and readers. Use them for specific purposes and with restraint.
Writing rules can frustrate writers, but following rules is important. On the other hand, breaking rules can be the answer for a section of text.
Using the correct quotation marks for quotes within quotes isn’t as tricky as you might imagine, but there is some confusion about the rules.
A discussion about the use of “and” to connect two actions of the same subject. “And” doesn’t imply that the actions happen simultaneously.
Rather than try to spell an accent, use other options for letting readers know that a character has an accent.
Help your readers by learning the rules. Sometimes even big publishers don’t edit as they should—therefore you’ve got to do it yourself. Bad grammar and punctuation can turn away even the most determined reader.
The reader will focus on what stands out. Turn the reader's attention where you want it to go.
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Write well. Write often. Edit wisely.
