A friendly writing tip
November 27, 2011
Commas and Other (Basic) Punctuation Rules
Punctuation marks, like words, help to communicate thoughts. Commas are used to insert pauses in speech, include an aside, or separate items in a list of three or more. Commas can also clarify the meaning of a statement.
See the difference in meaning just by the placement of a comma:
Woman, without her man, is nothing.
Woman, without her, man is nothing.
Use colons (:) to introduce a list or a series, such as: a list of states, a list of colors, a list of flowers, etc. Use a semi-colon (;) to join two independent but related clauses; you can also use an adverb to combine these clauses.
Periods, question marks and exclamation points are the only acceptable ways to end a sentence. Sometimes an ellipsis (…) is used at the end of a sentence to indicate an unfinished thought.
Learn the basics of punctuation. More importantly, be consistent in using punctuation in your writing.
A friendly writing tip
November 13, 2011
DO judge a book by its cover
No matter how good your story, or article, might be – if no one is interested enough to read it, it will just go to waste.
Think of catchy BUT APPROPRIATE titles or headlines, an attractive cover and an intriguing blurb to interest them. Your cover (title, etc) should say something about the content of your story in order to be attractive to the people you want to draw in.
Choose a SHORT 2-3 sentence blurb about your story. Similar to an “elevator pitch”, this blurb needs to be the quick sell. Most people will not waste time deliberating whether or not to buy your book, etc. In book form this blurb will go on the back cover so that when a potential reader takes a quick look, they will be inspired to read it.
A friendly photo tip
October 23, 2011
ALWAYS carry a camera
You never know just when that special shot will present itself – an unexpected smile, a surprise visit, a sunset that is captivating…
Digital cameras have opened up a world of photography with no film cost, usually seeing instant results and easy uploading to a computer or printing at a convenient drugstore booth. There are cameras that fit in your pocket or purse – even some cell phone cameras will take extraordinary pics. While your everyday camera may not be the one you would pack for a photo shoot, a good and inexpensive digital camera will work to catch the shots you just don’t want to miss. And don’t underestimate the advantage of having an easy “back-up” camera as well.
Take practice shots with a camera you have now, see how well you like the photo you can capture. If you decide you want to purchase, check out some of the camera displays in a local store. Look at the cost, the size, how it fits in your hand and pocket. how easy it is to operate. Remember to check out the power and picture storage options. Prices begin well under $100.
Remember the Boy Scout motto – Be Prepared.
* the camera picture depicted does not represent any endorsement of the product.
A friendly writing tip
October 16, 2011
Beat writer’s block…
Set a timer for 30-minutes and write ANYTHING so long as you are writing. You can write about your day, your dreams, your plans for your next vacation, a special memory that you have… ANYTHING.
The idea is to get the creative juices flowing and once you have the momentum, you will find it easier to just write about a chosen subject.
Sometimes it takes a simple change in your writing environment to get those words coming, so experiment with where you write and the sounds you hear (TV, music, birds chirping, etc).
Happy writing!
A friendly photo tip
October 9, 2011
Use your depth-of-field settings to focus on the subject you want seen.
The lower the F-stop number, the more the photo is focused on a subject; this works well if you want to focus attention on an individual.
Use the higher F-stop numbers to capture terrific scenic shots or the type you might describe as a great “postcard pic”.
A Friendly Writing Tip
October 2, 2011
Keywords…
Finding the best keywords will help get attention whether you are writing a press release, a web-site, or ad copy.
Study trending topics – current news events, popular gossip historically significant dates – and select the most common keywords or “tags”. For example, if the latest immigration legislation is hitting the headlines and your story is about an immigrant, then use the tag or keyword “immigration” to garner attention.
If you can tie your information into what is currently hot in the news or prominent in the public’s mind, then you will spark a natural interest in your topic. Get yourself noticed and then you can present your entire picture on your own terms.
A friendly photo tip…
September 24, 2011
When you are traveling you need to pack smart and light. Whether it’s a carry-on bag or a compact camera case in the back of your car, you have to decide which equipment will work best for you. Today’s digital photography helps to make the task a little less daunting.
Pack one body (if you are traveling by personal vehicle you may have extra room for a second), be sure to take a lot, A LOT, of memory cards, batteries, charger if available (remember an outlet adapter if you are traveling to a foreign country), an electronic flash and a lightweight, small table-top tripod. If you are limited to only one lens, a 18-200mm (or similar) zoom lens is the most versatile. If you have room for a second and third lens, pack a 18-70 (good for wide angle) and 70-210 (telephoto).
Snap multiple shots, get different angles and if possible different shadows – worry about deciding on which shot is best long after you are home again.
Oh, and don’t forget to get some of those pure tourist shots with the family as well!
A friendly writing tip…
September 18, 2011
Self-Editing your work can cause you lots of unnecessary angst…
It’s a good idea to just write your first draft without worrying about spelling or punctuation. Then just put the writing to the side and “rest your eyes”.
When you are ready to begin self-editing, read your words aloud – your ears may catch something your eyes miss. Edit in segments or even work backwards so that you don’t anticipate your words.
To hone your editing skills, try editing previous works – it will also be interesting to see how your style has changed. If any of your works were published, try comparing what you submitted to what was actually printed; it’s a good way to learn preferred styles and note which writing habits need to be modified.
A friendly writing tip
August 21, 2011
Write without shame. Do not edit, do not check spelling, do not worry how the story flows. Just write.
Let your words and feelings just fall out onto the paper (or keyboard). Write, or type, the words as they come to you, try to keep up. Like a car rolling downhill, you will gain momentum as you CONTINUE to roll. Do NOT stop, just write.
After you have written your story, put it down and walk away. Take a walk, watch an inane sitcom, read SOMEONE ELSE’S novel. Free your mind.
When you come back to your UNEDITED manuscript, you are ready to check your spelling, punctuation and grammar. Read through your story to make sure it flows and reads clearly. Verify that your characters’ names are consistent throughout the book, make sure that events are in chronological order – or if you are making use of flashbacks, make sure it is clear and not confusing.
When you finish editing your manuscript, edit it again.
