The Error of Your Ways

Writing is such fun! I get so caught up in it when my mind works with any clarity. It hasn't been happening much of late, but when I can, I do. My hand problems seem to be persistent and I'm not sure they will improve. I have a feeling that they'll worsen. Regardless, I need to figure out a way forward. 

I was reading some things online this morning by well, writers. I got annoyed because I found several errors. It's funny how once you notice one mistake, they all stand out. Arthritis in my knuckle causes errors with the words "know" and "not". I've always been a speedy typist, hitting 70 wpm on my best days and averaging 50-60 wpm. So perhaps that's the problem. I've slowed down because of mobility issues and it drives me crazy. My son usually does the proofreading of my blogs to catch those things but not lately. He's had other things on his mind.

So, I was reading and found these errors. They're simple errors, but to catch them, you're going to have to read your text BEFORE you put it online. A trick to help is to read the text backwards. You'll catch a lot of spelling errors, but you'll also catch other types of errors as well. For example, missing punctuation or incorrect punctuation. It happens to every writer, but the pros know they must edit. 

Gone are the days when the average writer can hire fact checkers, proofreaders, and developmental editors. Writers, specifically Indie writers, are doing it all. So take the time to read over the document you're writing. Read it backwards. Read forward again. Research the mistakes writers often make. 

If you're reluctant to put the effort into polishing your prose, you're probably not cut out to be a writer. Oh, you can publish an unedited book all by yourself, but readers won't clamber for a copy. If you read the reviews on Amazon, you'll find that they will find your mistakes and point them out. Not because they don't like you, but they are paying for the privilege of reading your content. 

There're many tools available to help you with editing. You could use AI, but it's wise to get educated about grammar and punctuation. Although I don't rely on AI for help often, I have access; but I enjoy doing my own work. I know my stuff, but even I need someone to lend me their eyes and knowledge now and then. 

I wouldn't ask a hair dresser to fix my car. Unless they had the required skills. So, if you're writing The Great American novel, a blog post, a speech, or a recipe, learn to write it with skill. 

*Note: I found two errors after I posted this. I've corrected them. It was one letter short and one space too far. 

  

It's a Comma Problem

Courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

They're such cute little things. Someone put a little tail on a period and it helps you organize your sentences. You could put a little face on them and they'd look back at you, so innocent, so sweet, so helpful.

The truth is, they're horrid little beasts that gnaw at you and taunt you. They snap that little tail at you and well, let's just say I have a hostile relationship with them. You might almost say toxic.

Yet, I sprinkle them liberally throughout my writing without rancor. I accept the generous help they offer, only to find they don't belong in half the places they appear. It is very frustrating. I mean, I know how to write. Yet the common comma defeats me time and again.

I have several grammar books, some great ones, in fact. I keep them all in the room with me. They're my only defense against the comma attack. I don't even trust Grammarly! I suspect they're in cahoots sometimes. Seriously, in the second paragraph of this post, Grammarly said I needed to use "their" instead of "they're". Seriously. It was quite insistent. However, I know enough to grasp the use of pronouns and to be verbs.

This morning, I pulled my Strunk and White, 3rd Edition, from my shelf and brushed up on my comma mistakes. It isn't the first time. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't improving but it is embarrassing to admit that after all these years, and one semester with the evil Von Furhman in 1989, that I still have problems with it.

There are so many rules of grammar it can be overwhelming. In fact, the first chapter in my Strunk and White is Essential Rules of Usage. There are ten rules in this chapter. At the end of Rule 6 is a statement that says, "Rules 3, 4, 5, and 6 cover the most important principles that govern punctuation. They should be so thoroughly mastered that their application becomes second nature."

Do you know what those rules cover? Yes, commas. The most important principles of punctuation. When I break a rule, I go big.

What I find amusing about this is that the most important rules are not 1-4. No, they come after 1. Forming singular possessives, and 2. The serial (Oxford comma). Truthfully, I'd put that Oxford comma first and make those possessives last.

Considering my review of Strunk and White's rules, I think the gist of it is that comma mastery is paramount in writing.

I'm screwed.

So, I strongly advise you buy a copy of Strunk & White... whatever edition it is in now. You can also find free editions online. Here is one copy: Strunk and White, There are many other grammar books out there. As I mentioned, I have several rather large ones. But really, Strunk and White is only 80 pages and the above copy is free.

Incidentally, Grammarly didn't find any major issues with this post. Of course, I use the free Chrome plug-in and the fact that it wanted to make an erroneous substitution of a pronoun means it isn't wise to rely on it too much.

March 14, 2018:

As an interesting addendum, today I ran this post through ProWritingAid and it found NO comma errors. However, it found things it suggested I change to improve readability. How amusing that one of those changes occurs in the Strunk & White quote. I've highlighted those for you to review.

I purchased ProWritingAid for Christmas and got a sale on the lifetime offer. You can let me know what you think in the comments if you're so inclined. I'm still learning ProWritingAid but so far, I'm happier than I was using Grammarly. ProWritingAid also has a Chrome plugin that is free to use and is better than Grammarly.