CLAUSE – contains both a SUBJECT AND A VERB Fred lost his keys. Is a clause, since it contains the subject noun, Fred, and the verb, lost. PHRASE – contains NO SUBJECT or independent verb. After losing his keys, Is a phrase because it contains no subject. MAIN CLAUSE – (independent clause) stands alone CATEGORIES…
If we break a book down into its constituent parts, starting with the smallest part, we get the following: words – sentences – paragraphs – scenes – chapters In the last blog, we discussed words. Now lets look at sentences. SENTENCES – Always keep in mind that sentences don’t generally occur in isolation. Be aware…
When writing dialogue in fiction, there’s lots of ways to ascribe speech to your characters. These indicators are called “speech tags”. The most common way is to use the word, “said”. “Don’t forget to take out the trash,” his mother said. Opinions vary on what’s acceptable and what’s not. Some critics claim the word, “said”,…
HOW TO USE PUNCTUATION I love the saying, “There are five rules for writing fiction. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.” As aspiring writers, we all want to know the do’s and don’ts that the pros follow. Because if we don’t, if we send a poorly written manuscript to an agent or publisher, we…
FINDING THE RIGHT WORD – Taking the extra time to construct your sentences with just the right words is worth the effort. Using the right word, you can build tension, create wonder in the reader, and energize what might otherwise be a boring scene. It just takes time, patience, and sweat. WORDS MATTER – The…
