GRAMMAR GIRL: Top Ten Grammar Myths

10. A run-on sentence is a really long sentence. Wrong! They can actually be quite short. In a run-on sentence, independent clauses are squished together without the help of punctuation or a conjunction. If you write “I am short he is tall,” as one sentence without a semicolon, colon, or dash between the two independent clauses, it's a run-on sentence even though it has only six words.

9. You shouldn't start a sentence with the word “however.” Wrong! It's fine to start a sentence with “however” so long as you use a comma after it when it means "nevertheless."

8. “Irregardless” is not a word. Wrong! “Irregardless” is a bad word and a word you shouldn't use, but it is a word. “Floogetyflop” isn't a word—I just made it up and you have no idea what it means.  “Irregardless,” on the other hand, is in almost every dictionary labeled as nonstandard. You shouldn't use it if you want to be taken seriously, but it has gained wide enough use to qualify as a word.

7. There is only one way to write the possessive form of a word that ends in S. Wrong! It's a style choice. For example, in the phrase “Kansas's statute,” you can put just an apostrophe at the end of “Kansas” (that's AP style) or you can put an apostrophe S at the end of “Kansas” (that's Chicago style). Both ways are acceptable.

6. Passive voice is always wrong. Wrong! In passive voice, the subject of the sentence isn’t the person or the thing taking the action. In fact, in a passive voice sentence, the actor is often completely left out of the sentence. An example is "Mistakes were made," because it doesn't say who made the mistakes. Your writing is often stronger if you make your passive sentences active, but if you don't know who is responsible for an action, passive voice can be the best choice.

5. “I.e.” and “e.g.” mean the same thing. Wrong! “E.g.” means "for example," and “i.e.” means roughly "in other words." You use “e.g.” to provide a list of incomplete examples, and you use “i.e.” to provide a complete clarifying list or statement.

4. You use “a” before words that start with consonants and “an” before words that start with vowels. Wrong! You use “a” before words that start with consonant sounds and “an” before words that start with vowel sounds. So, you'd write that someone has "an MBA" instead of "a MBA," because even though “MBA” starts with M, which is a consonant, it starts with the sound of the vowel E--MBA.

3. It's incorrect to answer the question "How are you?" with the statement "I'm good." Wrong! You probably learned that verbs need to be modified by adverbs (such as “well”), but “good” isn’t modifying “am” in the sentence “I am good.” Instead, “good” is acting as the subject complement and modifying the pronoun “I.” It's also fine to answer "I'm well," but some grammarians believe "I'm well" should be used to talk about your health and not your general disposition.

2. You shouldn't split infinitives. Wrong! Nearly all grammarians want to boldly tell you it's OK to split infinitives. An infinitive is a verb form that is usually made up of the word “to” followed by a verb. An example is "to tell." In a split infinitive, another word separates the two parts of the verb. "To boldly tell" is a split infinitive because “boldly” separates “to” from “tell.”

1. You shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition. Wrong! You shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition when the sentence would mean the same thing if you left off the preposition. That means "Where are you at?" is wrong (or at least annoying) because "Where are you?" means the same thing. But there are many sentences where the final preposition is part of a phrasal verb or is necessary to keep from making stuffy, stilted sentences: “I'm going to throw up,” “Let's kiss and make up,” and “What are you waiting for” are just a few examples.

About the Author:

Mignon Fogarty is the founder of Quick and Dirty Tips and the author of seven books on language, including the New York Times bestseller "Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing." She is an inductee in the Podcasting Hall of Fame, and the show is a five-time winner of Best Education Podcast in the Podcast Awards. She has appeared as a guest expert on the Oprah Winfrey Show and the Today Show.

Website: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl

Grammar Girl's Top 10 Language Myths

10. A run-on sentence is a really long sentence. Wrong! They can actually be quite short. In a run-on sentence, independent clauses are squished together without the help of punctuation or a conjunction. If you write “I am short he is tall,” as one sentence without a semicolon, colon, or dash between the two independent clauses, it's a run-on sentence even though it has only six words. (See episode 237 for more details.)

9. You shouldn't start a sentence with the word “however.” Wrong! It's fine to start a sentence with “however” so long as you use a comma after it when it means "nevertheless." (See episode 354 for more details.)

8. “Irregardless” is not a word. Wrong! “Irregardless” is a bad word and a word you shouldn't use, but it is a word. “Floogetyflop” isn't a word—I just made it up and you have no idea what it means.  “Irregardless,” on the other hand, is in almost every dictionary labeled as nonstandard. You shouldn't use it if you want to be taken seriously, but it has gained wide enough use to qualify as a word. (See episode 94 for more details.)

7. There is only one way to write the possessive form of a word that ends in S. Wrong! It's a style choice. For example, in the phrase “Kansas's statute,” you can put just an apostrophe at the end of “Kansas” (that's AP style) or you can put an apostrophe S at the end of “Kansas” (that's Chicago style). Both ways are acceptable. (See episode 35 for more details.)

6. Passive voice is always wrong. Wrong! In passive voice, the subject of the sentence isn’t the person or the thing taking the action. In fact, in a passive voice sentence, the actor is often completely left out of the sentence. An example is "Mistakes were made," because it doesn't say who made the mistakes. Your writing is often stronger if you make your passive sentences active, but if you don't know who is responsible for an action, passive voice can be the best choice. (See episode 302 for more details.)

5. “I.e.” and “e.g.” mean the same thing. Wrong! “E.g.” means "for example," and “i.e.” means roughly "in other words." You use “e.g.” to provide a list of incomplete examples, and you use “i.e.” to provide a complete clarifying list or statement. (See episode 539 for more details.)

4. You use “a” before words that start with consonants and “an” before words that start with vowels. Wrong! You use “a” before words that start with consonant sounds and “an” before words that start with vowel sounds. So, you'd write that someone has "an MBA" instead of "a MBA," because even though “MBA” starts with M, which is a consonant, it starts with the sound of the vowel E--MBA. (See episode 261 for more details.)

3. It's incorrect to answer the question "How are you?" with the statement "I'm good." Wrong! You probably learned that verbs need to be modified by adverbs (such as “well”), but “good” isn’t modifying “am” in the sentence “I am good.” Instead, “good” is acting as the subject complement and modifying the pronoun “I.” It's also fine to answer "I'm well," but some grammarians believe "I'm well" should be used to talk about your health and not your general disposition. (See episode 586 for more details that use "bad" and "badly" as examples.) 

2. You shouldn't split infinitives. Wrong! Nearly all grammarians want to boldly tell you it's OK to split infinitives. An infinitive is a verb form that is usually made up of the word “to” followed by a verb. An example is "to tell." In a split infinitive, another word separates the two parts of the verb. "To boldly tell" is a split infinitive because “boldly” separates “to” from “tell.” (See episode 454 for more details.)

1. You shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition. Wrong! You shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition when the sentence would mean the same thing if you left off the preposition. That means "Where are you at?" is wrong (or at least annoying) because "Where are you?" means the same thing. But there are many sentences where the final preposition is part of a phrasal verb or is necessary to keep from making stuffy, stilted sentences: “I'm going to throw up,” “Let's kiss and make up,” and “What are you waiting for” are just a few examples.  (See episode 269 for more details.)

You can find more information about each of these myths in the Grammar Girl archives.

Mignon Fogarty is Grammar Girl and the founder of Quick and Dirty Tips. Check out her New York Times best-seller, “Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing.”

 

What Really Goes Into A Great Author Website? by Matt Ziranek

Some authors have simple, plain looking sites that seem to get huge traffic and engagement. Others have amazing looking high tech, design masterpieces that barely even get visited. Clearly there’s more to it than simply a good looking design and graphics or photography.

Along with my Agency, Rocket Expansion, we’ve been building websites for authors and creatives for years now. We’ve picked up a thing or two about what works in an author website and what doesn’t, and it’s definitely a whole lot more than a pretty homepage.

The Important Aspects Of An Author Website

I’ve just published an extensive resource on author websites with 67 author website examples and a thorough walkthrough of what I think is great about each. It will give plenty of opportunity to see how these points I’m about to mention actually work.

Easy Navigation

This goes beyond just having a tidy menu bar. Your site needs to be well organised in a logical fashion. If you don’t do this, no one's going to be able to find all of your great content (which we’ll get to shortly.)

Clarity

Similar to navigation but in a broader sense, your site needs to be understandable and feel easy to use. Don’t leave it to chance that your visitor may click on something in your crowded home page that you want them to. Make the clickable areas of the page extremely obvious by making them stand out clearly. You can use strong contrast or color to make this distinction.

Make each page have a focus. What do you want your visitors to do? Make it really clear and more of them will.

Branding

Branding is not just your logo, your colors or even your name or slogan. Branding is the entire communication package that your website makes use of to make you come across as uniquely you.

Branding is an opportunity to truly differentiate yourself from others in your genre and other authors in general. Make your site clean and clear for sure, but also have fun with who you are when you create your website.

Stephanie Meyer calls her blogs “Obsessions”. Each blog post is “5 Reasons We’re Obsessed with_____”. It’s a light fun touch, but also a good example of a part of her branding. She’s fun, and well, obsessed!

Author Funnel

If your website isn’t actually contributing to growing your audience and selling your books, then how much of marketing tool is it?

I’m not a huge fan of the term “funnel”. It feels somehow spammy or manipulative, like herding cattle through a narrow chute. But when I started getting more involved in marketing I learned that the sales funnel concept is actually regarded as one of the oldest established principles in marketing, first mentioned in 1898.

A sales funnel is very simply a process that takes someone who has never heard of you on a series of steps that build the relationship until the become a buyer. Then the relationship is nurtured into them buying again, promoting you to others and your book sales sky rocket. Sounds great right?

In a digital age a sales funnel can be as simple as giving a highly incentivised reason to join your mailing list. Offer a fantastically valuable resource for free. Then you can get a second chance to build a relationship with your website visitors and they can get to know you.

Digital marketers often cite that on average it takes at least 7 interactions with a customer to get a sale. If you can convince a visitor to sign up for your newsletter, you’ll be a whole lot more likely to get these 7 touch points and therefore get more book sales.

Create a welcome newsletter series with an email marketing software. Make your series packed with useful and interesting resources your ideal reader would be interested in.

Getting this right means the difference between having a glorified book brochure online, and a sales machine that does your marketing for you on autopilot.

SEO

Search engine optimization can seem technical and confusing. It’s not. 

50% of all traffic on the internet comes from search engines. You’d be stupid to ignore them.

There are 3 simple, important rules for SEO success:

• Create epic content
• Optimize it for your keyword
• Get others to link back to it

Great content means content that entertains, educates and inspires. It also usually has the obvious quality of some real work having been put into it. Anyone can rehash someone else's work. Writing a few thousand words of original, well referenced, well written, well edited content gold will mean people will actually read it, and this is the first step to getting noticed on Google.

Optimising each post for a keyword is not that hard. If you’re using a WordPress site, use a plugin called Yoast SEO. Add your keyword in the “focus keyphrase”. Then follow the prompts in the “SEO Analysis” till it turns green.

Finally, links to your posts are the strongest signal to search engines that your site is valuable enough to show in search results. Getting links is simply making an effort in the author community to share your stuff with others who may be interested. Guest post on others blogs, just like I’m doing now. You’ll get more exposure in general, and you’ll get links back to your blog and website.

Fan Resources

Finally without a really good reason for visitors to come to your website and keep coming back, it’s not going to be very helpful to you as a resource.

As a creative person you already have a fantastic advantage over 99% of the internet. You can have great ideas and you can write! There are so many ways to create valuable resources that will make your website a place where everyone wants to hang out and keep coming back. The point is to set out a strategy that engages your audience in the long term and stick to it.

Now that you know what makes an author website great, take a look at some great author website examples in which I show how all the above can be put into action.

Author: Matt Ziranek

Artist, Writer and Managing Partner at Rocket Expansion Digital Agency.

Matt Ziranek is an artist and writer who helps other artists and writers shine online. As the managing partner of creative design and marketing studio Rocket Expansion, he’s built websites and successful marketing campaigns for best-selling authors and Grammy Award winners

Guest Post: WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING AN EDITOR by Carol James

Choosing a professional editor is very important, and how to do that is one of the most common questions when it comes to the whole book creation process. Let’s find out, what steps should be taken to hire the good editor.  

The professional editing is the most important part of the writing process; writers work on a book hard, and now it’s time to ship it off to a professional. Sometimes editing can be painful, but it’s also necessary; professional writers offer a variety of editorial services. Editors can do anything from marketability assessment to mentoring services, manuscript critiques evaluations and so on. 

Choosing the most suitable editing package depends on the strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript. But how pick the best copyholder? What to look for? Continue the reading. The first step - get the references. 

Countless copyholders are floating around, and it can be had to sift through them all. The easiest way to get started is to ask for the references. Talk to other writers, ask them which editors they’ve worked with and whether or not they recommend them. 

It’s important to keep in mind that references are only valuable if they’re coming from authors who’ve produced quality content. If you’ve read their work and weren’t impressed by it… Guess what, you’re not going to be impressed by their reviser either. Talk to people you trust and respect. Allow them to point you in the appropriate direction. 

The second step – be confident that the proofreader is qualified. 

Believe it or not, one of the easiest ways to narrow down a list of potential editors is to check their qualification. There are lots of self-proclaimed proofreaders. Who think they’re qualified because they took an English class. And lots of people offering editing services are college students with little to no experience.

When combing through copyholders check their credentials, what do their education and experience look like, how long have they been in this field, how many edits do they have under their belts. Their experience should tell you that they know what they’re doing. 

The third step – check their past work.

All editors should have a list of their past clients and books they’ve edited available on their website. If a proofreader does not have this information readily available – that is the huge red flag. If that person does have this information available, you need to go through it; check out the books they’ve edited. Are they any good? What do the readers think? The excerpts are available on Amazon; checking out an editor’s past work is the easiest way to get a snapshot of their capabilities. 

The fourth step – check for specialties.

Most editors have some specialty, which is usually genre or category specific. That’s worth paying attention to because if you’re writing a horror novel, you don’t want to work with a copyreader who specializes in romance. Some editors have a broad specialization, and that’s fine, but most credible editors draw the line somewhere.   

  

The fifth step – check their rate.

If someone’s offering insanely cheap rates that are too good to be true, they are not so highly professional or honest with you. While you’re searching editors compare their rate, see what the standard is for your level of edit. And if someone is offering pennies in comparison to the norm, they’re not reliable. 

The sixth step – to communicate.

You should never choose an editor without talking to him/her first. Send them an email, start a dialogue, ask them questions. Convince yourself that you are in full agreement of the details, the projected time frame, what this level of edit will entail, the costs involved and how the payments will be transacted. 

The seventh step – get a sample.

After you’ve started discussing a working relationship with a prospective editor, it’s within your rights to ask for a sample edit. This will help you to make your final decision. It’s nice to see exactly how this person’s style works and what sort of elements they focus on.    

You need to be very careful when you’re looking for a reviser. Make a list of the principal requirements the candidate should meet. For example, someone who:

• has the reliable qualifications;

• knows your genre;

• has a good reputation;

• flexible;

• helpful and encouraging.

Ask yourself five key questions before choosing a professional.

1. What kind of edit am I seeking?

2. What is my total word count?

3. How complex is my book?

4. What is my deadline? Is it flexible?

5. What is my budget?

Searching for an editor can be pretty daunting, but if you have the information about the things to look for it makes the process a lot easier. Good luck with that!

About the Author: Carol James is a writer and senior editor at writing service, so you can order essay outline sample from EssayLab. 

She has MA degree in social sciences and writes articles, reviews on the different actual subjects. So, if you have any questions regarding the writing, feel free to ask her.

Guest Post: READING IS NECESSARY, BUT WHY? by Terry Ervin II

It’s often said (in some variation): An author needs to be a reader.

Most writers are pressed for time, especially if one considers family and career (other than authoring) responsibilities. Even writers who are full-time authors feel there is never enough time. And every minute with a nose stuck in a book is a minute that isn’t spent writing, editing, revising, researching, marketing, and a myriad of other tasks essential for an author to maintain both success and productivity.

So, on balance, is the time spent reading worth the potential payoff?

For me the answer to this question came into focus during an email exchange with a former crit partner. With a husband and children, work, and moving, she had a lot on her plate. Plus, she’s been revising and editing a handful of novels. My former crit partner didn’t feel she had the time to read. But, during the course of our discussion, she indicated that she’d finally sat down and began reading Flank Hawk, and admitted it’s the first novel she’d read in almost two years.

We discussed use of description, including what’s ‘in favor’ on writing forums where we’re active members. While reading my novel, she recognized that the ‘consensus’ on the forums of what works didn’t line up with the way I implemented the use of detail within the story’s narrative. Going back and looking at her latest revision effort, she recognized what was missing and how to make it better.

That’s one thing reading does. It offers new ideas and methods, and reminds a writer of what works. Thoughtful reading encourages a writer to avoid writing with blinders on. Reading offers a bulwark against getting caught up in ‘group think,’ at writer forums or in writing groups.

Reading and re-reading, and studying how a successful author crafted—tells a story—helps me immensely. When I’m unsure, trying something new, or get stuck on some aspect of storytelling, I go back and read and study, seeing how successful authors like Steven Brust, Roger Zelazny and Kevin Hearne (to name several of my ‘go to’ authors) did it. Then I apply what I learned to my current work in progress and my writing style.

For example, that method enabled me to refine the frame story structure in Relic Tech and create the chapter starts in Flank Hawk. The method provided insight into the techniques to write series sequels (Blood Sword, Soul Forge, and Relic Hunted) that are also able to stand alone. The result is that a reader can start with any novel in my First Civilization’s Legacy Series or my Crax War Chronicles and fully enjoy that novel (story), yet those who’ve already read a novel earlier in the series can equally enjoy all novels in the series that follow.

Another reason to read is to spark ideas while recharging one’s imagination. Re-reading and thinking about Zelazny’s Guns of Avalon and Harry Turtledove’s World War Series triggered the thought: How might a dragon fare in aerial combat against a WW II aircraft? That occurrence of pondering resulted in Flank Hawk, the first novel in my fantasy series.

Re-reading One Second After by William Forstchen and Gust Front by John Ringo offered additional ideas, and assisted me in moving forward with my most recent novel, Thunder Wells.

Reading also invigorates critical observation of the storytelling process, and offers insight and uncovers new twists that a writer might use, improving the available array of writing and storytelling skills.

Would anyone expect engineers that design and build cars to refrain from riding in automobiles and note what customers who purchase such vehicles tend to enjoy? Would it make sense for engineers to avoid immersing themselves in the driving experience, where such activities might offer insight into what could be implemented in their next automotive design?

Finally, I find that reading allows me to discuss novels and authors with fellow readers of fantasy and science fiction. This is especially useful at conventions and book signing events. It enables me to both make a connection with potential readers, and to determine if what I write might be of interest to them. And if none of my works are a good match, through reading, I have a plethora of suggestions that might be relevant to the readers’ interest.

Time is a finite commodity. There is no argument on that, but it’s a commodity worth spending with a good book or two…or three.

Author Bio:

Terry W. Ervin II is an English teacher who enjoys writing fantasy and science fiction. Beyond his new release, Thunder Wells, his Crax War Chronicles (science fiction) includes Relic Tech and Relic Hunted, and his First Civilization’s Legacy Series (fantasy) includes Flank Hawk, Blood Sword and Soul Forge. His short story collection, Genre Shotgun, contains all of his stories previously published in magazines, ezines and anthologies.

When Terry isn’t writing or enjoying time with his wife and daughters, he can be found in his basement raising turtles.

To contact Terry, or to learn more about his writing endeavors, visit his website at www.ervin-author.com and his blog, Up Around the Corner, at uparoundthecorner.blogspot.com.

Guest post: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE by LaToya Gay

Local bookstores are an invaluable fixture in any community. They are fantastic destinations for meeting new people and learning new things, and you can do much more than simply buying books there. Here are some ways you can take advantage of how great your local bookstore really is. 

Get to Know the Staff and Other Regulars

If you’re a regular at your local bookstore, be sure to get to know the people who work there and even the owner of the shop. They are well-read individuals who love to recommend their favorite titles to each other and customers. So, don’t be shy about asking them what they think about a certain series, book or author. Who knows? You might even end up with a lifelong friend!

The same goes for chatting with other customers. While browsing the Sci-Fi section for the latest titles from Joe Hart, why not strike up a conversation with someone who happens to be flipping through a book that you’ve been dying to read from A.G. Riddle? You already have something in common, so it’s a great way to meet new people who have similar interests. Of course, remember to be aware of their body language; some people don’t want to be bothered while they’re having a quiet moment alone to browse books.

Attend Events, or Host Your Own!

Independent bookstores are often a hive of activity, where locals host a wide range of events. Talk to the staff and find out what’s on over the course of the next month, and you’re sure to find something that will pique your interest. Book launches, poetry readings and panel discussions are just a few of the fascinating events that you can attend at your local bookstore, and they present you with the opportunity to meet plenty of new people with similar interests.

If the store doesn’t normally host events, why not host your own? Independent bookstore owners are always eager to attract new customers and you can help to bring them in by holding your own unique affair. They can be great locations for cocktail parties and album launches - depending on the artist’s noise level. Some people even get married at bookstores!

Go on a Bookstore Date

Bookstores can actually make for great date spots, especially if you’re a literature lover. Take your date to your favorite local bookstore and spend a few hours exploring before you head out for dinner. 

There are all sorts of fun activities that you and your date can take part in when you decide to spend a few hours at the bookstore together. You can visit the Languages section and have a conversation in new words that you’ve learned from the translation dictionaries, or take a trip to the Reference section and quiz each other based on facts from almanacs, encyclopedias or The Guinness Book of World Records. 

Then, of course, you can recommend your favorite books to each other. Decide to read one of the books over the course of the week, and spend your next having a book club discussion over dinner or drinks. You can even cook a meal together on an upcoming date, using a recipe that you’ve discovered from a cookbook during your time together at the bookstore.

Sign Up for a Book Subscription

Book subscriptions aren’t just available in online form as literary boxes. You can also find them in your local bookstore. Some stores offer you a new book based on the recommendations of their staff or regular customers, while others make sure to put aside the latest copy of a new highly-anticipated title. This is a great opportunity to discover new authors in an exciting way. You never know what you’re going to get each month, and you can really step outside of the box in more ways than one.

Join a Book Club, or Start Your Own.

Almost every independent bookstore is home to at least a couple of book clubs. Find out from staff when you can attend book club meetings, or ask them for the contact details of the person who hosts them.

If none of the book clubs that currently meet at your local bookstore are of interest to you, you can even start your own that appeals to your personal Fantasy or Sci-Fi tastes. Start by asking your friends, and then put out some flyers at the store to attract other customers to join your club.

Check Out the Community Board
Local bookstores certainly foster a sense of community, and you’re sure to find an events board somewhere in the shop. Every week or so, have a look at the board and see if there is anything that you may want to attend. They present a great way to discover new independent businesses and find out about interesting events. Bookstore patrons are some of the most diverse people you’ll ever get to know, so you can discover some intriguing new activities and venues by having a look at the community board.

Spread the Word
More and more independent bookstores are falling into the shadows of online shopping on Amazon and big name stores like Barnes & Noble. So, if you want to see your local bookstore thrive, then be sure to let people know about it!

If you know a friend is looking for a particular title, suggest they purchase it from your favorite shop. Recommend it as a spot for an event someone that you know may be hosting. Make sure that the people around you know that they have a fantastic literary resource and community hub right in the backyard.

Don’t forget that your local bookstore is a wonderful place full of new opportunities. Whether they help you discover new books or meet new people, it is important that you make the most of all the valuable experiences at your disposal at your favorite bookstore.

What’s your favorite independent in your local area? What makes it so great? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Author Bio: Latoya is a technology writer for Secure Thoughts and regular culture writer for other websites. She has a passion for reading Sci-Fi novels and while she enjoys the high-tech convenience of a Kindle, she never passes up the opportunity to visit her local bookstore.