The Grammar Police

Ever feel like you are a one person Grammar Police squad? I do, but it's important to monitor and self edit our writing for polished results.

Apostrophes, for example, can be problematic. Using them for contractions is a given, but there are those tricky spots we run into and wonder...do I use an apostrophe....or not? Here's a peek at the cheat sheet I use:


Use an apostrophe:

• To form a plural of a letter: I got all A's and B's.
• To form a plural of a number or symbol: 6's or %'s
• When a word is discussed as a word: The sentence contains too many hey's and dude's.
• To abbreviate a year: She graduated in '03.

Special possessive situations must be handled with care. Remember that the owner is the word immediately before the apostrophe. It helps to ask, is it possessive or plural, or is it possessive and singular, or possessive and plural?


Use the apostrophe like so:

• Singular versus plural possession: the horse's trainer, the horses' trainer
  
• Compound word possessives: editor in chief's office, sister in law's birthday
• Plural compound word possessives: brothers in law's cars (more than one brother in law)
  
• For an indefinite pronoun: anyone's guess, everybody's favorite
• Individual possession: Micah's, Allie's, and Nat's books (they each own their own book)
• Shared possession: Tim, David, and Becky's book (they all own the same book)

    
And don't forget:
 

• Do not use an apostrophe for possessive pronouns: its, yours, ours, his, hers, their

What techniques and resources help keep your writing in check?

I'm taking a break and will be back on January 2. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season! :)

Happy writing,
Karen



Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Thursday's This and That

Some of This, a Little of That...

What's your take on book reviews? Will you purchase a book based on a review? Do you think reviews are just for new books? Dana Lynn Smith shares her insight on 6 Common Myths About Book Reviews over at C. S. Lakin's blog Live Write Thrive.

Raise and rise - not sure which one to use? Check out Brian Klems' post for the lowdown on this tricky question. Don't worry, Klems offers an easy solution.

Nina Amir's guest post, How to Build an Author Platform by Blogging a Book over at Pen and Prosper, discusses how to take blog content and turn it into a book. Talk about a great idea! She also discusses the the importance of blogging as a means to build an author platform. Check it out here.

Have you jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon yet? Not sure where to start? Jean Fischer offers insight on what Pinterest can do for us in this post, Pinterest for Writers.

Today, November 15th, is I Love to Write Day! If you missed the post with the info on his wonderful holiday, click here.

Thank you! :)

This time of year causes me to reflect on things I am thankful for. Please know that I count you among my blessings. You have enriched my life in so many ways. Your unfailing support is a great encouragement. Thank you so very much, dear blogging friends!

For those of you in the United States, I wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving! To those of you outside of the US, have a wonderful week!

I am taking a blog break to visit with family and friends. See you on November 29.

Happy writing,
Karen 


Photo credit: Stock Exchange

News and Notes

Happy Monday! 

Hope you had a good weekend. The weather was lovely here in north central Kentucky. It was breezy with highs in the 70's, a fall preview, I'm thinking.

It's been a toasty summer, so the reprieve was welcome. How has the weather been in your neck of the woods?

Here are a few announcements to start the week:

Congratulations to Rhonda Schrock, winner of The Gifted by Ann Gabhart!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to see Ann last week. It was a fun interview; Ann discussed the book cover process, among other things, so if you missed it, click here for details.

Before I knew Rhonda Schrock won the giveaway, I was going to mention that she has her spiffy new website up and running. It's very nice, and I am excited as she takes this next step in her writing journey. She's relocated her blog there too, so if you enjoy her witty and insightful posts, hop on over!  Click here to check it out. 

Got a short story? Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Awards is accepting entries. Grand Prize is $2500 and a trip to the WD conference in New York City. Deadline is September 14, 2012. Visit their site for details.

Don't forget, September brings more goodies here at Write Now, including a visit with authors Cathy Gohlke, Sarah Sundin, and Alex Cavanaugh. Lots happening through the fall - giveaways, guest posts, interviews, and more. Hope you can join me! :)

I've several projects that are calling my name so I am taking a blog break. See you on August 27.

What's on your plate for the balance of the month?


Happy writing,
Karen 

Photo Credit: Zinnias in Karen Lange's garden taken with her super cheesy little digital camera. She's hoping to get a non super cheesy camera soon. :)

Miracles

There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing was a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.   

- Albert Einstein

 Do you agree with Mr. Einstein? How do you live your life?

Taking a short blogging break; see you on or about September 12. :)

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Karen

Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Happy Monday!

Taking a break, but will be back next week when Susan J. Reinhardt and I will chat a little more about our current WIP. Hope you can join us!

I will also share the 300 follower giveaway info. I'm excited; I'm nearly there. Thanks for being a bunch of faithful followers! :)


Have a great week,

Karen

A Vacation

I've made an executive decision; I am taking a short blogging break and will return on December 28. The fun part about writing your own blog is that you can make such decisions. But then, you are also in charge of the end of the year bonuses. Hmm, will have to give that some thought. Perhaps my bonus will include chocolate. What do you think? :)

Hope you take time to rest and refresh too. Enjoy family, friends, and fellowship. Have a blessed week. See you soon!