Looking for an expert

[JPMMURPHY]

Hi all. I started a new book a few days ago (yes, I expect it will be 110 K words when finished) and am looking for an expert in punctuation. Yep, I can tell a yarn but really get lost with those curly thingies that go between words. I also have a lot of trouble with dialogue puntuation.

I know this would be a big undertaking and maybe a couple of people could help out, splitting up the work.

Right now I have 15 K words and am writing daily.

You might take a look at The Sentinel. Same writing style and one of the characters continues in this one.

I looked at the editor list and there are so many of you. I really have no idea how to approach the problem. Also, given the size, I thought it might be best to see if anyone is even interested.

Just PM me or message me through my profile.

Thanks.

JPMMURPHY

 

[Kev H]

First of all dont construe this as an offer to help aside from this post as I am certainly not an expert but Id like to offer some advice First of all it is the duty of every writer IMO to analyze the beloved English language and understand why each punctuation is used and to what effect Understanding this fully allows you to cement them in your mind making them less of a problem Also realize that too much punctuation can be as bad as too little just as anything not taken in moderation can be unwise and ruin what good effect it would have had Punctuations sole goal is to aid in smooth understanding of the text since bad punctuation tends to trip up both the educated and uneducated reader Why is that Well simple the conventions as well as the slight tweaks are crucial in carrying meaning of a twodimensional medium that evokes a threedimensional image or should Figuring out how to make punctuation complete the picture impression emotion and you will take a large step toward mastering another important part in the art of writing

---

Okay, so that's out of the way--dear God, that was difficult to do, LOL. You found yourself automatically trying to insert my missing punctuation, but did you ask yourself why? As you correct my paragraph, understand why each is critical, and if there are choices, understand which would be most effective for the flow or impact.

Any decent grammar book can make you the "expert" you so crave, so long as you understand the need and the place for each. Perhaps, you found the answer you needed or some amusement; I hope you got both.

 

[CopyCarver]

Any decent grammar book can make you the "expert" you so crave, so long as you understand the need and the place for each.

Yep, and there are few better guides to usage and punctuation than The Elements of Style (a.k.a. Strunk & WHite) which has remained "the bible" for half a century.

 

[fieryjen]

First of all dont construe this as an offer to help aside from this post as I am certainly not an expert but Id like to offer some advice First of all it is the duty of every writer IMO to analyze the beloved English language and understand why each punctuation is used and to what effect Understanding this fully allows you to cement them in your mind making them less of a problem Also realize that too much punctuation can be as bad as too little just as anything not taken in moderation can be unwise and ruin what good effect it would have had Punctuations sole goal is to aid in smooth understanding of the text since bad punctuation tends to trip up both the educated and uneducated reader Why is that Well simple the conventions as well as the slight tweaks are crucial in carrying meaning of a twodimensional medium that evokes a threedimensional image or should Figuring out how to make punctuation complete the picture impression emotion and you will take a large step toward mastering another important part in the art of writing

---

Okay, so that's out of the way--dear God, that was difficult to do, LOL. You found yourself automatically trying to insert my missing punctuation, but did you ask yourself why? As you correct my paragraph, understand why each is critical, and if there are choices, understand which would be most effective for the flow or impact.

Any decent grammar book can make you the "expert" you so crave, so long as you understand the need and the place for each. Perhaps, you found the answer you needed or some amusement; I hope you got both.

My hero ... just kidding. Well, not really. Nice post.

 

[snooper]

Hi all. I started a new book a few days ago (yes, I expect it will be 110 K words when finished) and am looking for an expert in punctuation. Yep, I can tell a yarn but really get lost with those curly thingies that go between words. I also have a lot of trouble with dialogue puntuation. ...

There are many, varied standards. If you look at: http://www.cogs.susx.ac.uk/doc/punctuation/node30.html#SECTION00091000000000000000
http://www.correctpunctuation.co.uk/punctuation-quotation.htm
http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/qmarks.html
http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/jargonbuster/q-r/quotationmark?view=uk
you will see that what one authority says is compulsory, another says is bad style, and a third (at least) implies is wrong - so take your pick, but STICK TO ONE STANDARD.
Personally, being UK English based, I use the last of the four standards quoted.

... Just PM me or message me through my profile. ...

Pardon my ignoring this part of your request, but I thought others might also be interested in these URLs.

 

[LadyCibelle]

There are many, varied standards. If you look at: http://www.cogs.susx.ac.uk/doc/punctuation/node30.html#SECTION00091000000000000000
http://www.correctpunctuation.co.uk/punctuation-quotation.htm
http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/qmarks.html
http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/jargonbuster/q-r/quotationmark?view=uk
you will see that what one authority says is compulsory, another says is bad style, and a third (at least) implies is wrong - so take your pick, but STICK TO ONE STANDARD.
Personally, being UK English based, I use the last of the four standards quoted.

Pardon my ignoring this part of your request, but I thought others might also be interested in these URLs.

Yeah other might be interested and if you don't mind I'll put them in the 'Writers and Editors reference thread'.

 

[fieryjen]

Yeah other might be interested and if you don't mind I'll put them in the 'Writers and Editors reference thread'.

That's a good idea.

 

[AsylumSeeker]

I know this would be a big undertaking and maybe a couple of people could help out, splitting up the work.

I'm not good at this "QUOTE" thing, hopefully I have captured what I want to. I'd just like to comment, as an editor, that I "so" appreciate your indication that we should line up some help for you. I'll be up all night coordinating that.