[stylist] {Spam?} Touching the Editing Challenge!

Mon Aug 1 20:16:39 UTC 2016

Hi Bridgit,

Well said. While I agree that published writers need editors to edit  for 
final copy, the writer must draft and edit as much as possible first 
themselves.
The reasons you voiced are excellent ones.
You do look incompetent without knowing the basics. You have to have things 
like subject-verb agreement, spelling, and punctuation rules down and used 
correctly. Editors will correct some things, but you cannot have basic 
errors which are inconsistencies.
Michael mentions spelling of alike words, to versus too, for instance. You 
can indeed learn the difference. I learned this in school primarily and 
learned braille after large print. Having access to the written word without 
eye strain did facilitate my learning of grammar and structures.
I think Hadley Institute, the distance
education school, has a course on spelling and punctuation and I think one 
of their courses includes something on homonyms.

I think there are some websites devoted to grammar rules and examples as 
well.
You should know and learn the parts of speech. Nouns are just one of eight 
parts of speech.
One grammar rule is you write the word an before words with a vowel.
The words A and An are articles. The article A is used before consenant 
words while An is used before vowel words.
So, you'd write "an editor" not "a editor".
Just thought I'd teach and explain one grammar rule and mistake I saw.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone. I think if you have excellent stories 
to write and wish to self publish, then go ahead and do it.
But, also work on your own abilities to write and edit your work.

Cindy, I want to listen to grammar girl. Where do I find that podcast?

HTH,
Ashley
-----Original Message----- 
From: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via stylist
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2016 11:35 AM
To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [stylist] {Spam?} Touching the Editing Challenge!

I will tell you as someone who has worked with editors and has edited
themselves and has studied writing for my undergrad and MFA, writers do need
to have a basic understanding of grammar and punctuation. If material
requires heavy copyediting and structure is poor, a lot of editors will not
work with them, and publishers will often request the author fix the
problems if they will work with you at all. It's just the nature of the
industry. You don't need a degree in the rules of grammar, but you do need a
basic understanding. Plus, it makes you appear incompetent when your writing
has the grammar and punctuation of a Kindergarten student. If it's something
we really want, I don't think taking time to learn is asking too much. And
even seasoned writers and editors keep style books on hand when they are
unsure or forget a rule. But like any endeavor in life, you want to put your
best foot forward and be as knowledgeable on a topic of interest as you can
be. And people will take you seriously when your writing is polished.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of slery via
stylist
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2016 12:54 AM
To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List' <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Cc: slery <slerythema at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [stylist] {Spam?} Touching the Editing Challenge!

Michael,

I don't know if you are interested but there is a podcast called "Grammar
Girl" and she has a very short daily podcast that covers grammar geared
toward writers. This might be something that could help you improve with
very little effort on a daily basis since I am sure you don't want to spend
your time reading/listening to grammar books.

Cindy

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael via
stylist
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2016 1:02 AM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Cc: tickpub at juno.com
Subject: [stylist] {Spam?} Touching the Editing Challenge!

    Wednesday, July 27, 2016

You can plan to do a lot of things
as long as you get one of them done!

I'm a late comer. I did not get to read my first book on my own until I was
33 years old. Then I read it with a magnifying glass. Due to my own lack of
guidance, I wasted much of my youth going crazy and even though some deep
down talent or desire waited for me to grow up, I still had the idea of
writing. Now I am rather old and warn out, with just enough brain cells left
to know that time is running out for me. Now, o yes, now I got a thousand
books to write. Ideas and inspiration is not my problem but getting my books
and stories finished in a readable and acceptable form.is! This means,
grammar, spelling, sentence structure and style now are important to this
old behaggled man. I was 50 years old when I finally learned that there were
such things as nouns.

So where does this leave me in fulfilling that desire to write, to research
and to leave something behind for others? It means that I need help. I am
not afraid to admit that my skills in grammar and the basics are lacking,
hell, my whole life had been lacking. So this is why I found a real living
person to assist me in my editing and in uploading my finished projects onto
or in Create Space, Smashwords, Amazon and they take it from there.

Does this cost me anything, O yes, but those payments buy off the
frustration of having several of my friends tell me that I'm not using the
word TO or is it TOO correctly? I use to many commas, I don't know exactly
when to use a ? mark instead of a ! and so forth.

I totally recommend that if you want to write, then let yourself go and
write. It is not totally necessary to become a word mechanic or some
literary engineer, but if that is your upbringing and your style, go for it.

Your never a loser if you learn by your losses!

This means, learn your craft and develop your skills as you write and
publish. Search out a editor that knows you and your life style. Work with
them, but do not expect them to do things free. I found such a person at my
Silverton writers group and she needed some extra money in her travels and I
needed her skills. I had to work with her while she trained herself how to
upload the finished works for each of the On-Line Publishers. She has had to
slowly buy new programs and she has  worked her way into a new business. For
me, this has worked out great so far. I did use several editors I searched
out but they wanted big bucks and would not do any uploading for me and this
was a waste of my money and time.

In turn, I am trying to get my editor lady friend to slowly become an agent
in publishing, why not?

She is seeking further clients, she not only does book covers at a
reasonable cost but is fair in her charges and even though she is not yet
perfect, we work together to fulfill the project I have in mind. So far I
have published at least 8 books with her and a cluster of stories. You can
go to my site and take a look if you so desire.

She lived in China teaching English, she moved back here for a time then
went on to Guatemala for a few years and now lives in Spain. We correspond
through emails and so far it is working out fine.

But this is my recommendation, yes, find an editor that will work with you
and that is willing to do the uploading for you.a turn key editor.

If you are interested in contacting her, drop me a line at:
tickpub at juno.com

I also have found that this writers group is a good place to exchange ideas
and find help.thanks Everyone!

Michael

TickPub Thanks You,
All The Best And More,
Regards And Respect From Michael!
Visit www.storynetadventures.com Get Your Free Travel Humor Book!
Just Click On The Blue Linked Book On The Shelf!

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