Welcome to our ninth IWSG Day of the year 2024.
IWSG is a writers’ support group created and led by Alex J. Cavanaugh.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
This group is an immense help to many of us who do not mind sharing our insecurities and successes or giving others encouragement and support.
So, if you are interested and would like to join, the link below will lead you directly to us.
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and the hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the September 4 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Jean Davis, Yvonne Ventresca, and PJ Colando!
MY HORROR
If there is one rule that messed me up in my English Classes and still does as a writer, it is the use of commas. Sometimes, I think commas hunt me down in my sleep; the little curvy, black crooks at the top grab me by the neck, and choke me.
My solution: I have a good proofreader, so I no longer experience the horror.
Have a lovely month of September, and be safe.
Shalom shalom,
Pat Garcia
I'm glad you figured out a way to avoid your horror. Congrats on your first paperback book. Your cover is awesome.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing feeling to hold and cherish your first paperback! I really wrestled with commas until my critique partner explained that I should only use a comma to separate sentence fragments (with a subject and verb). Example: I struggle with commas, and now I'm getting better vs. I struggle with commas and strive to improve. Not sure if that helps, but it helped me!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Pat, on that new story. I just downloaded it and can't wait to read it. Now, I have a different take on punctuation. To me, they help the reader find rhythm in the words of the story. Commas reveal balance and pacing. Shorter sentences add drama. Semicolons show closely linked ideas, and periods bring closure. Sorry, I guess I'm a grammar nerd, but I'm glad you have an editor!
ReplyDeleteA good editor is the answer to those mundane issues. Of course, one misplaced comma could bring the world to an end, but oh well! :-) Great post!
ReplyDeleteCommas are tricky. Congrats on your book! There's nothing like holding a copy in your hand for the first time.
ReplyDeleteYes, comma are my nemesis.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will be picking up your book and smiling at the cover for years to come. It is a great accomplishment! Congrats. Write your stories and let your copy editor point out the correct punctuation placement. Saves unnecessary grief.
ReplyDeletehttps://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com/
Congrats on the books! So happy for you. :-)
ReplyDeleteYeah, a good proofreader might be an answer to lots of those pesky grammatical doubts.
ReplyDeleteCommas are bad! I had nightmares of them as a kid too! I love your solution to this quandary.
ReplyDeleteI so understand the coma challenge. For me, it's the tense. I create and think in present tense and write in past tense. As a result, my writing can include both and cause confusion. Yup, a good editor is critical to good writing. Congratulations on the Power of Touch success.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat I'm back! Hello! As an English teacher, I'm very interested in this discussion. There's two very strict rules about commas, but not all make sense. I use one when I read aloud and pause. I love sentence fragments but they're frowned on in the English teaching community.
ReplyDeleteSo thrilled for your latest publication. Congratulations!
Congrats on the book release!
ReplyDeleteMy nemesis is long sentences. I try to avoid writing them but there are times they work better than shortening them.