When you’re writing, do you just insert commas randomly? Are you in the habit of using ellipses or em dashes with abandon? Do you add “and” at every opportunity? Does your editor point out an overuse of phrases and words throughout your manuscripts such as, “as a matter of fact,” “suddenly,” “in the meantime,” or “but?” Are you sometimes unsure about punctuation and grammar? I think most authors are at various points in their careers. I still have questions occasionally. Our grammatical trends do change with time, after all.
I loved reading Martha Brockenbrough’s article at the Encarta website called “Errors That Aren’t: 12 Grammar Rules You Can Toss Out the Window.” I think you will, too. To access this article, at Encarta, go to http://encarta.msn.com. Type in “Brockenbrough Grammar Errors,” or “12 Grammar Errors,” at the prompt in order to locate this article. Brockenbrough, by the way, is the founder of the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar.
If you’re interested, get over to Encarta right away and print out the article because this site is set for demolition on October 31, 2009.
In her article, Brockenbrough gives you the gift of wiggle-room when it comes to some long-held grammar rules.
But what do you do when you face a grammatical question or a punctuation problem? I’ll tell you what I do. I head for some of my favorite online grammar sites.
I used to study The Associated Press Stylebook or The Chicago Manual of Style, but I find that if I form my question or my keywords just right, I can locate a clear response to my dilemma in only minutes or, in some cases, seconds.
I just type a question or keywords related to my question, “comma before ‘and,’” for example, “comma before ‘such as,’” “when to use ellipses,” “is it ‘who’ or ‘whom’” and “colon or semi-colon”?
If you want links to some good grammar sites, let me suggest the following. There are many others featured in the SPAWN Market Update at the SPAWN website, members only area. http://www.spawn.org Click on “Join SPAWN now.” Or simply subscribe to our enewsletter and spend a few months getting to know us. Click on “Free Newsletter.”
Guide to Grammar and Writing
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar
Grammar Gorilla
http://www.funbrain.com/grammar
Grammar Girl
http://grammarquickanddirtytips.com
For additional assistance with grammar and punctuation and a lesson in self-editing, purchase my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html