Our photo quote today tells us to enjoy the little things. My last two posts have highlighted two parts of the mechanics of writing. One was the length of sentences, and the other featured repetition of words.
Both are small in comparison to the meat of your story, article, or essay. Even so, those two miniscule items along with other mechanics can create a far better read when they are used correctly.
Besides the sentence length and repetition of words, a writer needs to pay close attention to punctuation. Commas have a purpose. We use them after an introductory phrase, with a series of three or more words, before a conjunction. Quotation marks are necessary when dialogue is used or when quoting a person. Using them correctly is not always easy. Question marks at the end of a sentence allow us to know that we have just read a question, not a statement. The way to use punctuation correctly is to learn the rules. Memorize if that works best for you. Use a search engine to find the rules.
Spelling? Yes, it is of importance in your overall finished piece. You wouldn't want to submit a story to an editor with numerous spelling errors. Today, there is little reason for that to happen, as most programs like Word and others offer a Spell Check feature. You must take the time to use it.
How about capitalization? Writers should check when to capitalize names and places. We all learned this in school, but the years go by, and we forget. If you're not sure when to cap a word, take the time to look up the correct way.
All of the above are rules you should follow to become a better writer. Writing a story, article, essay, memoir, poem and more is not only about content. The way you write is also important. Some writers will try to wing it; they don't want to be bothered or take the time to check the proper way to write. Sometimes, it works, but it can also get you a rejection in a flash. An editor doesn't have time to correct all your mechanical errors, even if he/she likes the piece you have sent.
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