It's Writers' Wednesday!

AllieB · Mar 14, 2007

Hi everyone!

It's Writers' Wednesday, and today on my blog I'm featuring a quickie (article, that is :tongue

) on comma usage. Would love for you to stop by!

johnzakour · Mar 14, 2007

Comma? What's a comma? Isn't that a book by Michael Crichton?

johnzakour · Mar 14, 2007

Having now read the article, ah, so that's a comma! Those funny looking marks my editors are always adding to my manuscripts!

Nice article. My big problem with commas is that so much of their usuage in certain spots does seem governed by personal preference. Plus it seems to me that more and more commas are replacing semi-colons. I may be wrong.

citymouse · Mar 14, 2007

Semi-colons are indeed out of fashion. I was reading submission guidlines at the Regal Press website and they say "NO semi-colons" in your ms. Personally I don't like to read semi-colons in fiction, especially in dialogue where it catches my eye. That said, there are some sentences that, if one wants them to read a certain way, simply demand a semi-colon.
C

johnzakour said:
Having now read the article, ah, so that's a comma! Those funny looking marks my editors are always adding to my manuscripts!

Nice article. My big problem with commas is that so much of their usuage in certain spots does seem governed by personal preference. Plus it seems to me that more and more commas are replacing semi-colons. I may be wrong.

johnzakour · Mar 14, 2007

citymouse said:
Semi-colons are indeed out of fashion. I was reading submission guidlines at the Regal Press website and they say "NO semi-colons" in your ms. Personally I don't like to read semi-colons in fiction, especially in dialogue where it catches my eye. That said, there are some sentences that, if one wants them to read a certain way, simply demand a semi-colon.
C

I agree. To me a semi-colon is used when you want a longer pause; but I'm also an editing moron.

On the other hand, life is easier when you don't have to think "semi-colon" or "comma" here...

skelly · Mar 14, 2007

AllieB said:
Hi everyone!

It's Writers' Wednesday, and today on my blog I'm featuring a quickie (article, that is ) on comma usage. Would love for you to stop by!

I had to "favorites" that one. Thank you Allie.

sfecphory · Mar 14, 2007

Your article on commas is nice, but I really need more help with my use of. periods

Seriously, that is a helpful article, and as someone who does have comma issues I'll be referring to it again.
Thanks.

Shadow_Ferret · Mar 14, 2007

johnzakour said:
Comma? What's a comma? Isn't that a book by Michael Crichton?

No. Robin Cook.

PeeDee · Mar 14, 2007

Of course, if you're a real "writer," then you have no idea it's Wednesday, and you're barely aware it's 2007 yet....

johnzakour · Mar 14, 2007

PeeDee said:
Of course, if you're a real "writer," then you have no idea it's Wednesday, and you're barely aware it's 2007 yet....

That's true. I never know what day or the week it is. I do know when the weekends are because my son and wife are home more. I'm actually still dating my checks 2005. (I'm slow.)

MidnightMuse · Mar 14, 2007

It's 2007 already ?!

johnzakour · Mar 14, 2007

Actually, the comma thing reminded me of Flowers For Algernon, when Charlie started to learn, what, commas, were.

PeeDee · Mar 14, 2007

MidnightMuse said:
It's 2007 already ?!

tell me about it. By the time I get the hang of that "7" on my checks, it'll be an "8" and I'll have to start all over. Something needs to be done about this...

Allie, I read your article over breakfast this morning, and I really enjoyed it. Very well written, very informative. I look forward to seeing what other subjects you tackle.

AllieB · Mar 14, 2007

Thanks, all...

I have to sheepishly admit that I adore the semi-colon; I really, really do. It's just so helpful in so many spots.

But. Sigh. I get the impression that editors aren't in love with it as much as I am...

maestrowork · Mar 14, 2007

I used to be an em-dash whore... I am better now, but not completely repentant yet.

ChaosTitan · Mar 14, 2007

Thanks for the article, AllieB. Everyone needs a refresher course once in a while, myself included.

MidnightMuse · Mar 14, 2007

I'm a total em dash whore, but I'm learning colon health

PeeDee · Mar 14, 2007

I am glad I'm not an em-dash whore or even a colon free individual, but I do have a tendency with my sentences, partially because I read them out loud and it changes how I write them, which tends to lead to interesting and occasionally snarled run-on sentences which look ad feel terrible, but read out loud comfortably, but are still miserable to behold.

Shadow_Ferret · Mar 14, 2007

I never developed a love for the em dash, nor the elipsis. I do have a thing for semi-colons though, and commas. Yes, I have to admit, I love to use commas. Frequently, mischieviously, and put in sentences where I think there would be a pause, if spoken.

MidnightMuse · Mar 14, 2007

Oh God -- she thought to herself as she read the last two posts, recognizing a comma problem of her own -- I've got more issues than I thought!

SpookyWriter · Mar 14, 2007

johnzakour said:
Actually, the comma thing reminded me of Flowers For Algernon, when Charlie started to learn, what, commas, were.

Loved the book. The movie was okay, if you like the original. See, I just learn how to use a comma and now I can't stop; unless there is another way to break up a sentence.

It's Writers' Wednesday!

AllieB

johnzakour

Dangerous with a Keyboard

johnzakour

Dangerous with a Keyboard

citymouse

fantasy dweller

johnzakour

Dangerous with a Keyboard

skelly

Kickin it old school, posers beware

sfecphory

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

johnzakour

Dangerous with a Keyboard

MidnightMuse

Midnight Reading

johnzakour

Dangerous with a Keyboard

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

AllieB

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

ChaosTitan

Around

MidnightMuse

Midnight Reading

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

MidnightMuse

Midnight Reading

SpookyWriter