Some tips to help new writers with grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc...

[Commonmind]

A few more beginner tips that should help... (posted with Leisha's permission)

Setting up application defaults in Microsoft Word.

In general these settings will work for previous versions of the application - I know for certain they translate to Word 97-2003 (though the way you find these options in your particular iteration of the program may vary, the end result should be the same). Since I’m using Word 2007 my navigation directions are centered around this version of the software.


Now, as a side note, if you use Word for a majority of other tasks besides writing, it may not be a great idea to change defaults, as it eliminates the convenience factor. Instead of going through the hoops to set up a default document for writing, you’ll be putting things back to normal, and that’s a bit of a time waster as well. For those of you who use Word more often for writing, these are some very basic tips to make sure your new documents are always the same and that no tedious setup process has to be done. As well, please remember these settings are my preferences, and that you should set the application defaults in the way you are most comfortable. Besides the font, I tend to keep things pretty close to what most publishers list under their submission guidelines.

First, we’ll start at the very beginning. Fonts. Open the Font option menu and select whichever font you like to use (Times New Roman, Courier, Dark Courier, etc.) and the font size. Check your character spacing tab as well, and make sure everything is set to normal and that scale reads 100%. After this is done, click the ‘default’ button on the bottom left of this window to set this as your default font settings for any subsequent blank documents you create.

Next, we’ll look at paragraph options. People will have their own preferences when it comes to line spacing and indention. Either way, open up the correct menu and set yours accordingly. My options (which fit general submission guidelines) are set as follows: alignment = left; indentation = first line, by 0.5 (this is a 5 point indentation you’d normally set with your ruler tool); spacing = double (or 2.0). There are cases where Word defaults a space between paragraphs, usually set to 12 points under the spacing options. This can be annoying as some folks don’t know how to change it. All one needs to do is set the ‘after’ option to 0 in the 'spacing' bracket and it will rectify the problem. (I know in word 07, most of my new documents were set to allow a 12 point break between paragraphs, meaning I was constantly having to go into my Ribbon’s paragraph options and click the “remove space after paragraph’ option.) When all the correct changes have been made, click the ‘default’ button, and from now on all your new documents will be perfectly formatted.

The third thing we’ll change is the Page Layout, more specifically, Margins. In your Page Layout menu, change your margins to whatever you’re comfortable using. Mine are set to 1.5 all around; top, bottom, left and right. Click the default button, and, again, every subsequent blank document you create will be formatted correctly.

Now, there are quite a few defaults you can change, but don’t play around with them too much or you might end up in a heap of trouble. Just change the settings that you’re accustomed to using frequently, and if you run into a problem, or something looks confusing, it’s better to avoid making changes or revert to the original settings. Which means if you’re not proficient with the application, make sure to make a note of what the original settings were before you started playing around with the options in each menu.

If you’ve done everything correctly, and every new document created is formatted to your liking, you can (in Word 2007) minimize the Ribbon (or toolbar) and eliminate the ruler (which can be done from within the View tab). That way you have a minimal and non-cluttered work environment (even though 07’s interface is quite eye-pleasing and already pretty streamlined).



Now, If you’re worried that you’ll no longer have quick access to font options by minimizing your Ribbon, don’t fret, as all you have to do is select the text you’d like to modify and right click with your mouse. This opens a menu to change things like font size and style. If you're also worried that eliminating the ruler will make it harder to reset the paragraph indention so you can center text correctly, not to worry, as all you have to do is hover your mouse over the top of your page (between the document and the menu bar) and the ruler will appear in its normal place. After you've made the necessary changes, it will disappear, leaving you with a clean workspace once again.



I hope that helps, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some things, so if anyone has any questions feel free to ask.

[HappyHippo]

I attended, and enjoyed English classes, but was never taught verbs, nouns, et cetera.

I can spell (but not type, I do it too fast) and after that, I'm lost!

Thanks, Leisha

[Leisha]

Thanks to everyone for their kind comments!

And Commonmind, that's excellent advice. I'll just point out that once you've set up Word the way you want (including rearranging your menus, etc), do a search on your computer for the file Normal.dot -- it's the file Word uses to store all its defaults and program settings. That way, if you back up a copy of it somewhere, when you need to reinstall Word, you can just paste the file into Microsoft's "Startup" folder in its program location*. Once the file is pasted, Word will automatically set itself back to all your previous settings.

*Microsoft's main folder is usually located in C:/Program files/Microsoft Office/Office/

Though I'll just point out that sometimes the folder is called "Office11" or "Office12" instead of "Office". But either way, pasting the backed-up Normal.dot file into the "Startup" folder will keep your settings as they were.

[Teresa Edgerton]

Originally Posted by Leisha

I think one of the main differences between the two languages (other than the obvious spelling) is that Americans tend to convert British adverbs into adjectives. In England we'd say something like "I walk quickly", whereas in America they'd say "I walk quick"

What you are describing is an ungrammatical colloquialism which most Americans do NOT use. (Neither is it converting an adverb into an adjective, but the other way around.)

I can usually identify members from the UK and Australia by their use of the word "whilst," which Americans never use unless they're trying to sound Medieval. (I understand that it's a perfectly good word in British English, but it can sound affected to American ears.)

Some editors and agents do get obsessed with the whole no-adverbs thing, others don't notice them at all unless adverbs are over-used to the point where they call attention to themselves -- and there are circumstances where only an adverb will do. There is another rule of good writing that says don't use four or five words when just one word will do the job as well or better, and sometimes that one word is an adverb. Anyway, it's a matter of style, not grammar.

How many adjectives you use is a matter of style, too. It's not just popular writers who layer them on and get away with it, some great writers have done so, too. But those "extra" adjectives shouldn't be redundant and they need to add to or amplify the description in some way.

In the end, it comes down to learning to use language in a way that is both flexible and eloquent. You can't do that by relying on adverbs instead of action verbs, or saidisms instead of other dialogue tags, or by piling on adjectives instead of searching for the one right word that will create the most vivid imagery. But you can't do that by putting a ban on a perfectly good part of speech, either.

[Leisha]

Originally Posted by Teresa Edgerton

What you are describing is an ungrammatical colloquialism which most Americans do NOT use. (Neither is it converting an adverb into an adjective, but the other way around.)

Ah, thanks for clarifying. I have no real idea, seen as I've never been to America, but it's just what I read somewhere.

Some editors and agents do get obsessed with the whole no-adverbs thing, others don't notice them at all unless adverbs are over-used to the point where they call attention to themselves -- and there are circumstances where only an adverb will do. There is another rule of good writing that says don't use four or five words when just one word will do the job as well or better, and sometimes that one word is an adverb. Anyway, it's a matter of style, not grammar.

How many adjectives you use is a matter of style, too. It's not just popular writers who layer them on and get away with it, some great writers have done so, too. But those "extra" adjectives shouldn't be redundant and they need to add to or amplify the description in some way.

In the end, it comes down to learning to use language in a way that is both flexible and eloquent. You can't do that by relying on adverbs instead of action verbs, or saidisms instead of other dialogue tags, or by piling on adjectives instead of searching for the one right word that will create the most vivid imagery. But you can't do that by putting a ban on a perfectly good part of speech, either.

Definitely! If an adverb/adjective fits in your sentence, USE IT! I do, as you saw in my examples. The guide was only there as a reference to beginning writers, so rather than using weaker words, they will have a choice -- a conscious choice -- over which word/s are best for their writing. And to be honest, I still use too many adjectives in my first drafts!

As always, you add some valuable comments. Thank you for pointing that out.

[Leisha]

Hmmm ... been trying to locate the exact place I read about Americans using adjectives in place of adverbs ... for the life of me I can't! Then again, it was so long ago now! *Grrr*

But, yeah, I understand that it's probably just regional dialect. In fact, this page I found a few minutes ago says adverb-as-adjective is non-standard in America: Separated by a Common Language

Ah well, since you live in America, Teresa, I'll believe you over a website any day!

[chrispenycate]

Being scientifically educated, I am evidently practically illiterate (as well as being functionally inarticulate with a vocabulary containing more quarks than gerunds.
I still frequently wonder if, when I correct punctuation or grammar on one of the excerpts in this forum, my reasons for correcting things is clear, or whether I should go into more detail on the reasons for the suggestions. So I consider this thread an excellent initiative. It remains tobe seen if its potential will be realised.

[Teresa Edgerton]

Ultimately, if you want any degree of success as a writer, you have to love the language (whichever language that might be).

By that I don't mean the occasional one night stand or weekend fling for the purpose of making literary babies. You have to respect it the morning (and the afternoon, and the evening), and then be willing to make a commitment.

Above all, you need to take the time to really get to know it before you even think about moving in with it.

Which is a somewhat flippant way of saying what I sincerely and deeply believe, if you are serious about your writing you will develop a sensitivity to language and an intuitive grasp of what is right and what is wrong, so that you will know most of these things instinctively whether or not you can memorize and recite the rules behind them.

Which is not to say that learning the rules isn't a good way to start. But sooner or later you have to internalize them.

[Leisha]

Definitely! I learnt how to compose a sentence before I started my novel, then as I began to write I naturally evolved my own style, which, I hope, is unique to me. In parts of my novel my sentences are brief (usually if there's action), in some I have long paragraphs of description or exposition, and in others it's mostly dialogue. I guess once you find your voice as a writer, your style fits whatever the scene requires. That's what I found anyway, and now when I write, I write with confidence because I'm happy with my style. I suppose that's what all authors find. And besides, I wouldn't want to give up my writing for anything -- it's the best job in the world!

But this info I've posted here will, I hope, help beginning writers to find their voice and their confidence. And as I wrote in my post, the information is just what I found through reading; some people may agree with it, others may not, and to be honest that's what I expected. At least they've read it and made their own decision on what, if any, they will find useful in terms of their own writing. Well, it would be nice to think so, anyway!

[SaxDragon]

Here's another one I see occassionally: "I'd of" , as in "I'd of gone with him."

The most recent example was in our local newspaper (quoting someone).

At worst, it should be "I'd've" (to preserve the sound of the person's speech). At best, "I'd have".

[Commonmind]

I think there are places in dialog where it's ok to bend the rules a bit, to give the character's speech a bit of...well, character. Though "I'd've" or "I'd 'ave" would have been a better choice than "I'd of," which may be too jarring to a reader.

[Azure]

I'm going to delurk to thank you for such a helpful thread. ^_^,

[spalan]

Just adding my kudos to the crowd - great job, Leisha! Thanks for compiling this handy list of things to keep in mind!

[Frank menser]

"Doris smiled happily"

Doris smiled grimly

Doris smiled evily

Doris smiled disparingly

Doris smiled lustfully

Doris smiled lovingly

Doris smiled foolishly....note that each smile is for a different reason and establishes a different emotion. To asume a smile is for only one reason shows a lack of imagination (no offence intended).

Doris smiled at the silly notion, which is part of the problem when you use absolutes. Adverbs are there for a reason and the fad over the past several years to try and eliminate an entire part of speech has resulted in a lot of bland writing (IMO).

J.K. Rowlings is sometimes refered to in this country as the "Adjective Queen" as she uses an average of about 14 per page. Yet despite this 'over use' her novels and the movies from them have made hundreds of millions. One would think it goes towards pointing out that 'truisms' don't really cut it with the public.

Personally, I find these 'boned' writings that minimalise the use of these two parts of speech boring, which is why (for pleasure) I often retreat to the Golden Age authors who IMHO had a better handle on word useage than much that I read today.

Language was created to communicate. Shades of meaning abound, which is what modifiers are for. An excess of anything is bad - as the over use of ADJs and ADVs can mess with your writing, so is the attempt at extremely limiting important descriptive parts of speech.

~Frank

[Frank menser]

While we are on the topic.... Adverbs and Adjectives are the Poet's bread and butter....For example:

Softly,

I will leave you.

Softly,

Long before your arms

beg me to stay,

For one more hour

for one more day...

Great song - picture it without the adverbs...

~Frank