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Meet Your Keyboard!
Mar. 26th, 2007 11:10 am(Please note: This is not aimed toward anyone whose manuscript I may have on my desk at this time, regardless of the stage at which you sent it to me... I've been reading too much fanfic, I think.)
Dear Writer,
I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to some important keys on your keyboard. I know you're familiar with the keyboard itself; you have pounded out 5,000 words of your latest masterpiece. However, I believe you may need to reacquaint yourself with the following players:
First, there's the return key, also called "Enter." It moves your cursor to the beginning of the next line. It is appreciated if you use it between paragraphs. And if you're not indenting the beginning of your paragraphs? It's especially appreciated if you use it twice between paragraphs, thus leaving a blank line periodically amongst all that text.
Next, there's the comma. He's a little guy, frequently underappreciated. He sets off all sorts of clauses and separates items in a list. Either way, it's a good idea to get to know him (though don't get too friendly with him; there are those who should be written up for abuse of the comma for overworking the poor little guy).
Lastly, there's the period. He's a friendly, hardworking key. He comes at the end of sentences, or at least he should. You're overworking him if you make him and two of his buddies form an ellipsis at the end of every sentence. Trust me on this.
Acquaint yourself with these few keys and you will discover the difference between writing a story I'll happily read all the way through and the one I'll click away from immediately upon seeing your first paragraphs.
Dear Writer,
I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to some important keys on your keyboard. I know you're familiar with the keyboard itself; you have pounded out 5,000 words of your latest masterpiece. However, I believe you may need to reacquaint yourself with the following players:
First, there's the return key, also called "Enter." It moves your cursor to the beginning of the next line. It is appreciated if you use it between paragraphs. And if you're not indenting the beginning of your paragraphs? It's especially appreciated if you use it twice between paragraphs, thus leaving a blank line periodically amongst all that text.
Next, there's the comma. He's a little guy, frequently underappreciated. He sets off all sorts of clauses and separates items in a list. Either way, it's a good idea to get to know him (though don't get too friendly with him; there are those who should be written up for abuse of the comma for overworking the poor little guy).
Lastly, there's the period. He's a friendly, hardworking key. He comes at the end of sentences, or at least he should. You're overworking him if you make him and two of his buddies form an ellipsis at the end of every sentence. Trust me on this.
Acquaint yourself with these few keys and you will discover the difference between writing a story I'll happily read all the way through and the one I'll click away from immediately upon seeing your first paragraphs.
