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"Don’t try to figure out What Other People Want to hear from you
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Education...Tips and Tools for Writers
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Writing Exercise
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Writing Devotionals
One of the things to understand we can write devotionals anywhere. Even here at the ocean, with the sand between our toes and the waves rolling in and touching our feet. Just hearing the sound that the ocean makes and feeling the breeze is enough to put a pen to paper.
When writing a devotion, it isn't a sermon, or short story, not even an essay. It just recording what a particular scripture is saying to you. We would probably be surprised if we realized how much our words can mean to someone who reads them. God knows just who needs to see what you write. Writing devotionals is a wonderful way to nurture our own time with God. Remember short meditations really do help people connect with God. Most places we send devotions for publication only want about 200 words, so there isn't room to put very much. But if we read a scripture and it means something to us, speaks to our hearts, the words will be there for us to write so others can be touched. The majority of the time this type of writing is based on personal experience...sometimes in the third person. Keep your devotions together. Who knows you may accululate enough to publish your own devotional book. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
A writer’s cheat sheet: 10 useful reminders By Hana Bieliauskas | Posted: August 29, 2012 on Ragan PR Daily.
To kick-start the 2012-13 school year, here are 10 writing tips to keep in mind (and feel free to pass this note under the desk to an office buddy):
1. Numbers/numerals. Rule: Write out numbers one through nine, and use figures for 10 and above. Spell out a number if it starts a sentence (unless it’s a year, such as 2012).
2. Titles. Capitalize formal titles only when they precede an individual’s name. If title falls after name, it’s lowercase. ex: President Barack Obama is running against Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts.
3. Web site or website. In 2010, the AP made “website” one word.
4. Like versus such as. If you can substitute “for example” into a sentence, then use “such as.” For example, the following sentence is incorrect: “He writes for a variety of publications like Esquire, Vanity Fair, and Time.” Instead, it should say: “He writes for a variety of publications such as Esquire, Vanity Fair, and Time.”
5. Toward/towards. AP style follows the American English form, toward. In British English, towards is preferred. The same goes for forward, backward, upward, downward, etc.
6. Commas and periods and quotation marks. “No further explanation needed,” she said. “Just do it.” (Unless, of course, you’re writing in Great Britain.) That is to say: In the United States, periods and commas fall within quotation marks; colons and semicolons stand outside them.
7. Who versus whom. Both words are pronouns. Who refers to subject of a clause; whom refers to object of the clause. Here’s a trick: Answer the sentence using the word him (or he). If him works, the correct usage is whom. For example: “Whom did you visit? I visited him.” Notice it that’s not, “I visited he.” On the other hand, if he works, the correct word is who. For example: “Who sent this email? He sent the email.”
8. Email. Another recent change: As of 2011 drop the hyphen in email.
9. Seasons. It’s almost fall. Notice that “fall” is lowercase. Seasons are never capitalized. Also, omit of: “In summer 2009 …”
10. That versus which. Determine whether the clause that either word introduces can be deleted without changing the sentence’s meaning. If the clause can be cut, use “which.” If not, go with “that.” “‘That’ vs. ‘which’: Easy tricks for determining when to use each word.”
Hana Bieliauskas is a project manager in the Columbus, Ohio, office of CMA a national public relations agency.
Thanks to Linda Shoaf for this info.
Here are links to three forms for story maps: try these out. |
10 Grammar Mistakes that Can
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THREE THINGS WRITERS MUST DO
Check guidelines–before submitting an article to a magazine.
Read–their magazine from front to back cover. Polish–your work making sure it is error free. ************************************************************************ Here is a free webinar...writing memoirs
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PARAGRAPHS
PARAGRAPHS…construction
Topic Sentence– the main idea or what the paragraph is about. Body of the paragraph: · A specific detail relating to main idea to the paragraph · Give another specific detail relating to main idea · Give Another specific detail relating to main idea Concluding Sentence–refers to topic sentence and summing up main idea of paragraph |
WRITING SCENES
Scene is where action takes place in a single setting. Most novels will have 50-100 scenes.
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How many scenes can you have in a story?
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How many paragraphs can you have in a story?
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The scene will require action, dialogue, emotion, characters, conflict and setting.
A good source is Raymond Obstfeld, in Novelist's EssentialGuide to Crafting Scenes, describes scene as having a structure similar to a complete novel, with a beginning, middle, and an ending. Also, another good source is Jack M. Bickham, in Scene & Structure, How to Construct Fiction with Scene-by-scene Flow, Logic and Readability, describes a scene as a segment of story action, written moment-by-moment, without summary, presented onstage in the story "now." He also portrays a scene as having a fundamental pattern: State of a goal Introduction and development of conflict Failure of the character to reach his goal, a tactical disaster Writing of a scene
Sometimes a writer may summarize events, rather than using a scene. This is called expostion (exposition is the author's providing of some background information to the audience about the plot, characters' histories, setting, and theme.) The writer explains events quickly to get the reader to the next scene. Other times a scene dramatizes an event using basic elements of fiction such as dialogue, conflict, description, suspense to name a few. These scenes, told in narrative form will slow events in the scene down to what is called ‘real time’ to show the reader what the characters are doing and saying. By using narrative scenes, the writer is trying to make the reader forget they are reading; they want the reader to feel the emotion as if they were living the story. |
Viewpoint of a scene
There is a viewpoint for every scene. Each scene should be seen through the emotions and thoughts of one of the characters; this is the point of view character. (POV). This character tells the story through their perception, interacts, and speaks with other characters. (A short story usually has only one point of view character. A novel may have several POV characters but does not have too. The novel can contain scenes with one POV character through most of the novel and then for remaining scenes other characters could be POV.) Do not however, make it confusing. If you are confused as to whether you want first person or third, write the scene in both to see which is better. There will be advantages and disadvantages for both. Length and setting of a scene How long a scene should be is quite the question for writers. They can be a few pages or a few paragraphs or many pages. The secret would be to determine what you want your scene to focus on. That will determine your length. If you are writing about descriptions or providing some background then write it short. If you are building suspense or expressing emotions then it should be longer. You the writer will determine that. Writers sometimes want to know how many settings they should have in a scene. In order to answer that let’s discuss what a setting is. Setting is where the story takes place–a moment in time and the geographical location. This usually helps with starting the mood of a story and the backdrop, which can include culture, historical period, geography and hour, year, etc. It’s your story world. Now back to the question of how many settings. Fiction writing scenes require normally several settings. Remember the setting can also be portable, like in a car, boat, train or airplane. Again, the writer will determine how many. |
Beginning of a scene
You as the writer may determine you want to begin your scene in the very middle of things. Perhaps in the middle of dialogue like an argument, or professing one’s undying love. You want to capture the reader’s interest. This is your goal. You might decide to start the scene with action such as jumping off a building. You want to hook your reader. Now you can also begin your scene with descriptions of characters or settings but be sure it is not boring. Readers have a tendency to get bored with lots of descriptions, especially if they aren’t needed, so do it well. The best way to use description is to put it between dialogue and action. REMEMBER: You must grab the reader’s attention immediately. What if you only have sixty seconds to hook your reader? Ending of a scene The only way to end a scene, leave the reader wanting more. Sometimes the scene may end with disaster, it could leave your character in a quandary trying to decide the right thing to do, it could be life or death. The reader must, I repeat, must want to turn that page and see what happened. You can let your character devise some plot or action plan to achieve his next goal to lead the reader to turn that page. |
Cec Murphy blog..."Writer to Writer"
cec@gottatellsomebody.com
What is a good article?
Let’s start with a definition. An article is a short piece that focuses on one idea; a chapter is a short piece that focuses on one idea. In the chapter of a novel, several things may happen but the chapter has a single purpose and stays with it. It's just as true with a chapter of a nonfiction book in which you may explain five ways to avoid a heart attack. All five methods stay with the same theme.
Many writers don't understand that simple premise: Focus on one idea.
Here’s an easy way to see how this works. Pick out two magazines. (I suggest you avoid ezines. Many of them are badly written and poorly edited.) Read three articles in each magazine.
As you read, ask yourself: What is the one point the author makes? The title should help. If it’s a how-to article called "Three Ways to Lose Weight," that points the direction. If it’s something such as "The Day Dad Cried," everything in that piece needs to point to a single, poignant event with no distracting information about where Dad lived when he was fifteen (unless it’s relevant) or the fact that he went to school with Brad Pitt's mother's younger brother.
Open a novel at the beginning of any chapter and the principle works. If you look at books from 100 years ago, they often had a table of contents for fiction that told readers what they were about to read in each chapter.
When I complete an article or chapter, I will have focused on one idea.
He has a good blog about writing advice.
APOSTROPHE
Rule 1 Use the apostrophe with contractions. The apostrophe is always placed at the spot where the letter(s) has been removed.
Examples:
don't, isn't
You're right.
She's a great teacher.
Rule 2 Use the apostrophe to show possession. Place the apostrophe before the s to show singular possession.
Examples:
one boy's hat
one woman's hat
one actress's hat
one child's hat
Ms. Chang's house
NOTE: Although names ending in s or an s sound are not required to have the second s added in possessive form, it is preferred.
Rule 3 Use the apostrophe where the noun that should follow is implied.
Example:
This was his father's, not his, jacket.
Rule 4 To show plural possession, make the noun plural first. Then immediately use the apostrophe.
Examples:
two boys' hats two women's hats
two actresses' hats
two children's hats
the Changs' house
the Joneses' golf clubs
the Strauses' daughter
the Sanchezes' artwork
the Hastingses' appointment
the Leeses' books
Rule 5 Do not use an apostrophe for the plural of a name.
Examples:
We visited the Sanchezes in Los Angeles.
The Changs have two cats and a dog.
Rule 6 With a singular compound noun, show possession with 's at the end of the word.
Example:
my mother-in-law's hat
Rule 7 If the compound noun is plural, form the plural first and then use the apostrophe.
Example:
my two brothers-in-law's hats
Rule 8 Use the apostrophe and s after the second name only if two people possess the same item.
Examples:
Cesar and Maribel's home is constructed of redwood.
Cesar's and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.
Indicates separate ownership.
Cesar and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.
Indicates joint ownership of more than one contract.
Rule 9 Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns: his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours, whose. They already show possession so they do not require an apostrophe.
Correct:
This book is hers, not yours.
Incorrect:
Sincerely your's.
Rule 10 The only time an apostrophe is used for it's is when it is a contraction for it is or it has.
Examples:
It's a nice day.
It's your right to refuse the invitation.
It's been great getting to know you.
Rule 11 The plurals for capital letters and numbers used as nouns are not formed with apostrophes.
Examples:
She consulted with three M.D.s.
BUT
She went to three M.D.s' offices.
The apostrophe is needed here to show plural possessive.
She learned her ABCs.
the 1990s not the 1990's
the '90s or the mid-'70s not the '90's or the mid-'70's
She learned her times tables for 6s and 7s.
Exception:
Use apostrophes with capital letters and numbers when the meaning would be unclear otherwise.
Examples:
Please dot your i's.
You don't mean is.
Ted couldn't distinguish between his 6's and 0's.
You need to use the apostrophe to indicate the plural of zero or it will look like the word Os. To be consistent within a sentence, you would also use the apostrophe to indicate the plural of 6's.
Rule 12 Use the possessive case in front of a gerund (-ing word).
Examples:
Alex's skating was a joy to behold.
This does not stop Joan's inspecting of our facilities next Thursday.
Rule 13 If the gerund has a pronoun in front of it, use the possessive form of that pronoun.
Examples:
I appreciate your inviting me to dinner. I appreciated his working with me to resolv
Taken from: http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp
Examples:
don't, isn't
You're right.
She's a great teacher.
Rule 2 Use the apostrophe to show possession. Place the apostrophe before the s to show singular possession.
Examples:
one boy's hat
one woman's hat
one actress's hat
one child's hat
Ms. Chang's house
NOTE: Although names ending in s or an s sound are not required to have the second s added in possessive form, it is preferred.
Rule 3 Use the apostrophe where the noun that should follow is implied.
Example:
This was his father's, not his, jacket.
Rule 4 To show plural possession, make the noun plural first. Then immediately use the apostrophe.
Examples:
two boys' hats two women's hats
two actresses' hats
two children's hats
the Changs' house
the Joneses' golf clubs
the Strauses' daughter
the Sanchezes' artwork
the Hastingses' appointment
the Leeses' books
Rule 5 Do not use an apostrophe for the plural of a name.
Examples:
We visited the Sanchezes in Los Angeles.
The Changs have two cats and a dog.
Rule 6 With a singular compound noun, show possession with 's at the end of the word.
Example:
my mother-in-law's hat
Rule 7 If the compound noun is plural, form the plural first and then use the apostrophe.
Example:
my two brothers-in-law's hats
Rule 8 Use the apostrophe and s after the second name only if two people possess the same item.
Examples:
Cesar and Maribel's home is constructed of redwood.
Cesar's and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.
Indicates separate ownership.
Cesar and Maribel's job contracts will be renewed next year.
Indicates joint ownership of more than one contract.
Rule 9 Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns: his, hers, its, theirs, ours, yours, whose. They already show possession so they do not require an apostrophe.
Correct:
This book is hers, not yours.
Incorrect:
Sincerely your's.
Rule 10 The only time an apostrophe is used for it's is when it is a contraction for it is or it has.
Examples:
It's a nice day.
It's your right to refuse the invitation.
It's been great getting to know you.
Rule 11 The plurals for capital letters and numbers used as nouns are not formed with apostrophes.
Examples:
She consulted with three M.D.s.
BUT
She went to three M.D.s' offices.
The apostrophe is needed here to show plural possessive.
She learned her ABCs.
the 1990s not the 1990's
the '90s or the mid-'70s not the '90's or the mid-'70's
She learned her times tables for 6s and 7s.
Exception:
Use apostrophes with capital letters and numbers when the meaning would be unclear otherwise.
Examples:
Please dot your i's.
You don't mean is.
Ted couldn't distinguish between his 6's and 0's.
You need to use the apostrophe to indicate the plural of zero or it will look like the word Os. To be consistent within a sentence, you would also use the apostrophe to indicate the plural of 6's.
Rule 12 Use the possessive case in front of a gerund (-ing word).
Examples:
Alex's skating was a joy to behold.
This does not stop Joan's inspecting of our facilities next Thursday.
Rule 13 If the gerund has a pronoun in front of it, use the possessive form of that pronoun.
Examples:
I appreciate your inviting me to dinner. I appreciated his working with me to resolv
Taken from: http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/apostro.asp
Copyright...Copyright protects the particular way authors have expressed themselves. It does not extend to any ideas, systems, or factual information conveyed in a work. See http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
Resources
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Links for Writers
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COPYBLOGGER
by BRIAN CLARK
WRITING
COMMAS ,,,,COMMAS,,,,,,COMMAS,,,,,,11
DIALOGUE PUNCTUATION www.englishcafe.com/charcafe/group-forum/punctuation-quotation-marks-1143 He said, “The dragon stole my princess.” -The first word of the sentence is capitalized. -A comma goes after said outside the quotation marks. -The first word inside the quotation mark must be capitalized. -The period goes inside the quotation mark at the end of the quoted sentence. “The dragon,” he said, “stole my princess.” -The first word inside the quotation mark must be capitalized. -If the sentence is interrupted, put a comma and close the quotes. -He is not capitalized. -Put a comma after the interruption -Open the quotes, don’t capitalize the first word, and complete the sentence. -The period goes inside the quotation mark at the end of the quoted sentence. “The dragon stole my princess,” he said. -The first word inside the quotation mark must be capitalized. -A comma goes inside the quotation mark at the end of the quoted sentence. -The word after the quoted speech is not capitalized. -A period goes at the end of the sentence. www.grammartips.homestead.com/inside.html Universal American usage places commas and periods inside the quotation marks, regardless of logic. ~"Diane," she said, "put the book down and go outside for a little while." ~"I will in a minute," she replied, "as soon as I finish this chapter." This rule applies even when the unit enclosed at the end of the sentence is just a single word rather than an actual quotation: ~To get to the next page, just press the little button marked "Enter." The only exception is when that last little item enclosed in quotation marks is just a letter or a number, in which case the period or comma will go outside the closing quotation marks: ~The buried treasure was marked on the map with a large "X". ~The only grade that will satisfy her is an "A". Anyway, the point is that if you are an American, you need to keep your commas and periods inside your closing quotation marks, where they belong.* When to use commas: You use a comma when you are trying to connect two or more parts of a sentence to express the thought that you are trying to get across. Without a comma, the sentence will all run together and can be hard to make sense of it. Like, she opened the box, grabbed the toy and ran out.. You would use a comma when you want to make a pause in your sentence. You also want to use comma's when there is a series of objects that you need to separate. |
Advice from Elmore Leonard
Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose. Wikipedia Says
Overly frequent use of the exclamation mark is generally considered poor writing, for it distracts the reader and reduces the mark's meaning. Cut out all those exclamation points. An exclamation point is like laughing at your own jokes.--F. Scott Fitzgerald DIALOGUE-WOW. HE SAID, "How are you?" and then SHE SAID, "I am just fine!" Well, that is not exactly how it goes in our everyday conversations. But you kinda get the gist. Dialogue is important when you are writing. And may I also say how important it is that you not have two voices in one paragraph. That becomes very confusing to our readers, they begin wondering which one of your characters is talking. Pretty soon they lose interest. Another thing that is important is for you to decide how your characters are going to sound when they talk. Then write for that character like he talks. "Do you see what I mean?"Ellipsis (...)
An Ellipsis (Ellipses, plural) is the three dots which can be used to indicate an omission in a sentence ("He drove a late-model ... car") or to suggest an unfinished thought ("I'm trying to remember..."). In the latter case, this punctuation is also known as a suspension point. # # # Writing and Grammar Tips and Tools
Take a look at your writing, do you need the word "that" in your sentences? Read it, try the sentence with it and without it...which sounds better? If it does not make your sentence stronger, take it out. Same thing with the word "just". Do you really need all of those the, and, if, but? # # #
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WRITING
Most people have a difficult time making themselves write every day. If you are serious about your writing then set aside fifteen minutes a day; don't answer the phone, door, emails or texts. If you are working on a story, use that fifteen minutes to work on it. If you are stuck and can't think what to write, choose three words that would relate to that story or choose three at random. Use one of the words to begin your paragraph and add the other two somewhere in the first paragraph. Your juices should start flowing, but if fthey don't, keep picking three words until the juices do flow. Above all, write for fifteen minutes even if it makes no sense. If you do this each day, soon you will be the habit of writing. Passive VoiceIt has to do with the sentence being clear, it isn't grammatically wrong...it is a style...which can lead to confusion for your reader. The passive voice can weaken the clarity of your sentence...however, sometimes it is what is needed...
Whoever performs the action should be the subject of the sentence. The following words followed by an ed (normally) goes into passive voice.. is, was, were, to be, have been, had been, will be, are, will have been, am, being, has been. Not every sentence that contains a form of "have" or "be" is passive so don't assume. Read the sentence...is there action going on in the sentence? Eventually, this will come with practice. Look at the front of the sentence, is it a thing or a person that is doing the action? Is the thing or the person having action done to it? Beginning, Middle and End!Yes, I know you know there is a beginning, middle and an ending when you are writing a story. However, sometimes we really do forget. For an example we forget to tie everything together at the ending, and leave Aunt Sue out in the desert. Whoops, we forgot to bring her back to the house and say good by to the people who were waiting on her.
I think the first part, the beginning, is fairly easy because that is where I introduce my readers to my characters and all their quirks plus give the reader the information as to what my story is about. The Middle becomes a little more intricate because I introduce problems, obstacles and a whole bunch of difficulties for my characters. I am also showing you what kind of weaknesses they have as people as well as their strengths. I'm building a climax in this section. Needless to say when I begin to write the ending I need to know where I want it to go. Don't make it too complex, readers really don't like that. Don't go off the deep end and make some way out ending either. But do have a twist or two. |
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Whatever you write for CCWriters please remember to use the following:
Times New Roman font 12 point font size Indent each paragraph .5" (use your tab button) Only one space after a period. # # # |
QUESTION: DO I HAVE TO MARKET MY BOOK?
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And We Quote...
“The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.” — George Washington “I'm not funny. What I am is brave.” — Lucille Ball “I'd rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate.” -- George Burns |
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