Category Archives: craft

Topic related to the craft of writing

Hyphen Usage

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Linda Andrews

When I began my research into the correct use of hyphens, I stumbled across a sentence that said hyphen use is among the least uniform and least stable feature of English spelling and to consult a dictionary. Being that I … Continue reading →

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Mealtime Characterization

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Linda Andrews

As I write my latest novel, I have begun to think about quirks that I can use to keep my characters distinct enough so that readers can identify them by their habits instead of using the ubiquitous ‘he said, she … Continue reading →

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Hypens

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Linda Andrews

For the most part, I understand how to use the hypen. 1) Compond numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine or such as in fractions one-third, three-quarters. 2) In prefixes like all-, ex-, quasi-, self-, and sometimes co-. Examples: all-American athelete, ex-wife, … Continue reading →

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Inspired By

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Linda Andrews

What inspired you to become a writer? It was during my second interview that the question came up, and it has haunted me ever since. Unlike many writers, I can’t point to a time when I was seven and plopped … Continue reading →

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Dependent Clauses and Commas

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Linda Andrews

While beginning my next foray into the world of commas, I encoutered the world of dependent clauses. What is a dependent clause? I thought I knew, but just to be sure I looked it up. A dependent clause (also called … Continue reading →

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Commas Part I

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Linda Andrews

To me commas are magic grammar glitter. The editor throws them at the page, and ‘poof’ they fall into place. Having done a bit of research on them and their various rules, I decided to break it into many parts. … Continue reading →

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Kitchen sink omitted

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Linda Andrews

I’ve been surprised by the number of novels I’ve read lately that have been the kitchen sink omitted variety. You know the ones–mysterious things pop up in the middle of the book, usually of a paranormal nature. It isn’t that … Continue reading →

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Ellipses

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Linda Andrews

Ellipses are probably among the top ten most common punctuation marks used in genre fiction. In many of the books that I’ve seen they indicate a trailing off, pause or falter in the character’s train of through or dialogue. Example: … Continue reading →

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I am so passed past

Posted on February 2, 2011 by Linda Andrews

Learning proper English grammar makes my head hurt. It’s confusing and once you think you’ve learned the rules, some punctuation God gives a ‘get out of Hades card.” And ta da—now you have to remember the exceptions too. Knowing this … Continue reading →

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Making Readers Believe in Angels and Aliens by Vijaya Schartz

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Linda Andrews

Making the reader believe is the author’s job. It’’s an art, and it’’s a craft. Just because my Blue Angels are of an alien nature doesn’’t mean I can’’t make them real to the reader. All the information I use … Continue reading →

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