tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5388604820097820482.post5494892347053616338..comments2024-03-04T23:25:24.489-08:00Comments on Detangled Writers: The self editor at work: Writer Vs. Grammar: The Fragment Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01969687156855399063noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5388604820097820482.post-44193758629737625472012-09-25T20:43:27.274-07:002012-09-25T20:43:27.274-07:00Firstly... I love my semicolons ><!!! They ...Firstly... I love my semicolons ><!!! They are my special treats lol. But seriously, I agree that you can do whatever you want in character thought and dialog - that's what makes it more real and more palatable. Also I agree that it's good to keep the genre in mind. I personally try to follow the rules to a T aside from a few spots that merit special rule breakage but that is me - and that is the style I write. Crimson uses completely different syntax and style and breaks different rules and it makes sense with what she writes. I think that is such a good point aimeeelizabeth - that you have to keep that in mind when editing someone's piece (or even your own pieces) because, given that you know the rules, the content and feel and flow and style and genre are really where the crux of the story lies. Grammar is there but it is not god as some would make you believe. ^^ I like this post.ddshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11561186803031542520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5388604820097820482.post-10341745726938831002012-09-23T18:52:10.827-07:002012-09-23T18:52:10.827-07:00I have never really had a problem with tense shift...I have never really had a problem with tense shifts in my writing. And you're right, grammar has gone through many changes these days and everyone has an opinion about little things. Even punctuation is debated furiously sometimes at one of the writers groups I attend. I happen to be a person who hates the use of the semicolon. I avoid it as much as I can. Other people swear by it. And I agree that grammar is important, or people have no idea what is going on in your story. <br /><br />For me the problem has always been fragments - I can diagram a sentence with all the bells and whistles (thank you Dr. Lopez). I can construct amazing sentences. But it is when I have a need to use sentences dramatically by putting emphasis on just a few words that stirs up debate. Fragments are more easily accepted with dialogue because when you're speaking you don't think about verb usage and all that good stuff. <br /><br />I know someone that has "tense issues" as well. In one paragraph the tense changed three times. It continues throughout the entire series of books. And I think that this is where critiques really come into play. I have given this person advise, as have many others. But this person is extremely hard headed and adamant that their book is perfect. No matter what anyone says, no changes have been made. I have no problem fixing things that someone finds, or that someone is concerned about. <br /><br />I think my next post will be about what a writer needs in regards to their critique groups. This has really opened the floodgates with ideas. <br /><br />All because I love a good fragment.<br /><br />aimeeelizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14964333872103903124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5388604820097820482.post-25708641949495179552012-09-23T14:41:03.011-07:002012-09-23T14:41:03.011-07:00I am the first person to admit that I don't ha...I am the first person to admit that I don't have skills in the grammar arena. When it comes to dialog (and first person narratives), yes grammar is less important-- it's natural that we speak in fragments all the time-- therefore writing those in dialog makes it more real. Plus, adding in grammar mistakes can show a character's lack of education or refinement. Heck, even though I'm not a huge fan, I even can agree with adding a dialect spelling to dialog. Also, argumentivly, grammar has become more lacks during our generation and probably more so as the generations that have had texting through out their lives become older. <br />On the other hand, grammar is there for a reason. It tells us tense, it clearifies meaning, It gives us a 'code' to expect as a reader. <br />I know a writer that doesn't understand this. His work is experimental. I can't complain about that, my cornerstone study was Joyce's Ulysses. But I can say Joyce was a master of languages, he knew the rules he was breaking. He was an established writer and professor before Ulysses and Finnegans Wake were published. My friend, doesn't understand why his piece that continually changes tenses and (<br />(yes, purposely) isn't being accepted by editors. <br />so to sum up, yes, loose grammar can help create character or even tone, but it has to be done with craft. Because if it is in the main piece that doesn't have anything to do with dialog, character development, or backup with an already estabished career, people will notice. It will ruin the flow of reading and more importantly it ruins your accreditablity with your reader. Danihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01969687156855399063noreply@blogger.com