 Action/Adventure: November 23, 2005 Issue [#726] |
  Action/Adventure
This week: Edited by: Vivian  
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Here I am again, writing an editorial for Action/Adventure lovers, writers and readers. Well, actually, I guess this one is mainly for writers, tips to help each of us write better and more correctly. Just a few odds and ends of ideas.
I searched my notes, lesson plans, and text books for ideas. Then I read The Writer and Writer's Digest, both November 2005 issues. I found many items in the magazines that matched what I used in twenty-five years of teaching.
The tips are in no particular order of importance, just listed for your information, to help you make your heroes and writing stronger, better, and more powerful.
Next weeks editor will be The Milkman 
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Tips To Help Be a Better Writer
From Writer's Digest, page 12, a quote from G.K. Chesterton sums up the purpose of this newsletter: "A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author."
Although, the quote mentions a novel, any fiction writing can be inserted. Let's look at some things that help our writing tell the truth about its hero and not about the author.
Use correct grammar, including punctuation, spelling, and capitalization. One area where the lack of the author appears is the way quotation marks are used or misused. Note the following tips:
1. Quotation marks set off dialogue. A quote within a quote uses single marks: "John said, 'You're all wrong.'"
2. Periods and commas always go inside the quotation marks, whether single or double marks: "I really don't understand what you mean," John replied. "Mary said, 'You left the door unlocked.'"
3. If dialogue from the same speaker continues from one paragraph to the next, do not use end quotation marks until the end of the final paragraph of speech. Do use opening quotes at the beginning of each paragraph of dialogue. Remember that each time a different person speaks, a new paragraph is needed.
That just a few tips concerning quotation marks. A good reference for punctuation should be checked for others. According to Writer's Digest, November 2005, "Written dialogue and nonfiction quotes need structure so your readers can easily follow the story - and using quotation marks incorrectly can cause a lot of confusion."
Another area of grammar that often is misused is the prepositions between, among, and amongst. One of my pet peeves is hearing or reading "just between John and I" or "just between you and I." Between, just as among, is a prepostion but used between two people or objects, requiring the object form of a pronoun. Therefore, the correct usage is between John and me or between you and me. Among requires more than two objects or people. Amongst is archaic, meaning it's no longer used. Between or among should be used instead.
Avoid those exclamation marks! They should be used rarely, seldom in fact, and then only in dialogue. If a author has written well, then no attention is needed to announce something is important.
I've been asked why an author shouldn't use cliches, generalities, or sterotypes in writing. According to William G. Tapply, in "Don't be a SHOWOFF," The Writer, November 2005, page 20: "Cliches . . . . call unwarranted attention to the lazy, uncreative writer. Banish them from your writing."
Not only do strong active vebs add to one's writing, but so do nouns that create strong images, colorful ideas, and/or precise people, places, and things. (Constance Hale,The Writer, November 2005, page 38}.
I hope the tips I've given help you make your heroes and writing stronger and better. Writing in itself is full of action and adventure.
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Comments from Readers
The last Action/Adventure Newsletter I edited was for September 7. I saved the comments sent by readers because I knew I would do another newsletter some day.
robi4711
Well-written and timely, at least for me since I'm in the middle of another novel. Thanks. Sometimes those books on writing include so many other words that the main ones get cloudy. The way you've written these points make them easier to grasp.
Thank you.
scribbler 
Thanks for an insightful letter. I am so glad someone finally mentioned that all heroes need flaws for us to be able to believe them. I am so sick and tired of perfect heroes who win becuase a prophecy told them to, or because they were chosen to. Thank you!
I'm delighted that you found the newsletter about heroes insightful and helpful.
billwilcox
Viv,
I'll be your knight in shining armor any day, Viv.
Thanks, Bill. *gets out medal polish to remove rust and tarnish from Bill's armor* 
shadowdawn
Great points, all around. Many writers could benefit from those guidelines. I think everyone should keep those in mind. It's easy to get caught up in writing the action, and overlook their hero.
I agree that while in the midst of writing we can forget some major components. We need to help each other improve and remember. So, now it's your turn. 
schipperke
Excellent newsletter Viv. What are your thoughts on the 'anti hero' such as the main character in the book, "American Psycho" ?
I know that writers went through a phrase of having anti-heroes, which seems more an indication of pessimism than anything else - my opinion. I guess I'm more optomistic about life, feel there are people who do give their best to better our society. We all can be heroes in some way or another.
esprit
Another keeper, Viv. You manage to get so much useful information into so little space. Thank you!
I'm glad you think I do. Maybe it's the poet in me - be precise and concise. I had teachers who told me not to use twenty words when five will do.
Until the next time I show up in Action/Adventure, goodbye and write those action-filled adventures.
Viv
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