I could not resist, this is too funny! I will post an in-depth post about using commas, but I had to share this picture from Grammerly.com
An Easy Way To Remember When To Use A Comma!
Do I Use an “A”, or Do I Use “An”? And Does It Really Matter?
Yes, it really does matter. Especially to whomever is reading your writing.
One of the most common errors I see when reading online comments, stories, blog posts, etc. is the incorrect use of “a” and “an”.
A very simple rule can help you remember which one to use when. If the word following it starts with a consonant, you use “a”. If it starts with a vowel, you use “an”. Simple enough, right? Except for if the word starts with a consonant that is silent, so the word sounds like it starts with a vowel.
Are you still with me? Good. It will all look clear in a minute.
Such as, “I will be over in an hour.” Or, “I would like an honest answer.”
This also makes sense: “Can I have a pencil?”
Saying “Can I have an pencil?” is painful to read. And yes, I have read this very sentence.
In a book.
That was published.
An editor can be your best friend 🙂 (Did you see what I just did there?)
But then there is also the issue of initials and numbers. In that situation, you will choose “a” or “an”, depending on the way it is sounded out.
“An FDA employee arrived.” The sound of “ef” is why you would use “an”.
“A United States tour.” The sound of “yoo” is why you would choose “a.”
“He gave me a $50.00 bill.” It is the same rule here. You want to choose based on how it sounds, not necessarily how it is spelled.
The more you see these being used incorrectly, the easier it is to tell when you are using it correctly.
What are some issues you have with the very difficult English language and writing rules? Is there something you would like me to address here? Let me know and I will get a post put up covering your questions and concerns!
Until next time…happy writing, and happy reading!
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Go Set a Watchman: Chapter One – Harper Lee
Am I the only one anxiously waiting for this new book to come out on Tuesday? It has been a long time since I waited for a book release. Like Harry-Potter-midnight-lines long time.
The Guardian has published the first chapter to this new story, and you can read it here: Go Set a Watchman Chapter One. (If my link will not work for you, like it is not working for me, copy and paste this: http://www.theguardian.com/books/ng-interactive/2015/jul/10/go-set-a-watchman-read-the-first-chapter )
There is a major spoiler, or update from To Kill a Mockingbird, right from the start of this story. So if you do not want to know what that is until you have the book-in-hand, avoid anything online related to this story.
Hoping your Saturday is full of good weather, good memories, and great stories!
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In The Unlikely Event – Judy Blume
I think it has been about 20 years since I have read a book by Judy Blume. As always, she did not disappoint. I will be honest and say it took a few chapters before I really began having a vested interest in the characters and plot, but once I got to that point, it was difficult to put it down.
This is a fictional story, with the main action of the story revolving around real events that happened in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where Mrs. Blume grew up. There were 3 airplane crashes within a span of 58 days during the 1951-1952 school year, and Judy was an 8th grade student at the junior high school when these crashes took place.
She easily pulls together a story that spans 35 years, and many characters are introduced that play a significant role from beginning to end. The main characters are Miri, Henry, Natalie, Mason, Rusty, Irene, and Corinne, just to mention a few. Okay; just to mention several.
There is drama, suspense, romance, fighting, and all of the struggles that boys and girls go through as they become adults. No spoilers as usual, but it is definitely a story worth investing a few days of reading on.
Have you read it already? Let me know what you thought!
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Punctuation Overload? Or: Maybe Not? Okay; Slightly.
Have you read a story with more punctuation in it than actual words? I myself am guilty of abusing the very basic comma. You have likely noticed me doing this in my posts. Every. Single. One. I like using periods to emphasize how I am feeling as well.
You see what I did there, right? Oh; I did it again, just now.
Okay. Sorry. I am really done now.
But as I have watched, and continue to watch, my 4 daughters go through school, it is beyond obvious that the emphasis on basic grammar and language structure is nowhere near what I stressed about. They do not even have to read the books that my 3 siblings and I had to read. I am positive none of my girls have any idea what “The Scarlet Letter” is.
So I am about to unleash some random Proper-English-Etiquette-If-You-Care-To-Use-It posts.
I am pretty sure we are all going to have fun with this one 🙂
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How I Spend a Holiday !
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Do You Like Your Editor?
I hope you love your editor 🙂
I have been seeing some posts and discussions about people who have been led astray by their editor.
I have a few simple rules for books I edit.
1) We speak the same language
2) We understand the same dialect and slang (different from #1)
3) I will correct all of your English-Language-Rule mistakes, but when you get mad at me because your 6th grade English teacher taught you nothing; I am out
4) I will always provide proof to the correct way of saying/stating something, if you require it
5) We are friends! You want to publish the best book ever, and I want you to do that
So if you feel your editor is a bit harsh on you; it may be okay.
If you absolutely cannot get along and your editor stresses you out; absolutely find a new editor
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Under Construction, Again…
Okay, so my rafflecopter refuses to work, so I am looking for a new platform for my give-aways. I am hoping to have that straightened out soon, quickly, asap, etc.
So as I am trying to find a theme that supports the menus I need as well as my store, and video blogs.
I am heading to the zoo today, for a much needed get-out-of-the-house-and-enjoy-the-sunshine staycation. I have a couple of new books to start tonight, with reviews to be posted shortly.
Wishing you a fantastic sunshine-filled day! Read at the beach if you are able; it does not get much better than that!
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It Is About Time For A Give-Away!
I have been so busy with everything (life), that I did not realize I have not done a give-away since Christmas.
So, on Tuesday, I will be posting some stuff, everything book, and just sign your name and grab it up. I am not going to make you follow me, share and like, etc. Just sign into rafflecopter.com, and I am giving away some amazing book bags, bracelets, and key chains.
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Chapter and Hearse – Lorna Barrett
I believe this is book 5 of the 7 books I bought in the “Booktown Mystery” series of books. I enjoyed it as well as the others, but there were a couple of things that I read that just did not sit well with me.
Tricia Miles again is caught up in a murder mystery of her own, while trying to run her bookstore, “Haven’t Got a Clue”. There are many who really wish she would just mind her own business: mostly the people killing other people. Her sister, Angelica, is on a book tour promoting her new cookbook, so Tricia is watching her employees at her restaurant and bookstore. Throw in her love-life-going-down-the drain, and some sketchy behavior by her employees, and you will certainly keep turning the pages.
I am switching it up and starting a different type of genre to read next, so be on the look-out for that.
I have yet to hear from anyone who has read this series, and am curious on how you liked it if you have indeed read some of these stories?
booksandopinions.com 