A Net in Time

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Writing

Show Your Voice with Punctuation

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As a grade eight student, my son is starting to write more and more.  As he writes he’s learning several things: like the need to spell better, sentence length, sentence structure and punctuation.   Today I thought I’d talk about the best use of punctuation. 

Punctuation is our use of a variety of dots and dashes.  We use them to point the way for the reader.  Pointing the way through our use of voice (the pace at which we read) and to divide our words, phrases and ideas into manageable pieces.   How we use periods, commas, exclamation points and what not, shows our voice and helps the reader follow our words more clearly.   This makes proper usage important. 

One of the things I tell my son as I review his work is … how would you say this.  As you revise it, read it over and everytime you pause, you need punctuation.  Usually, it will be a period or comma, but sometimes it will be different.  So stop, read, think, jot it down.  If you are reading and there’s punctuation where you aren’t stopping, ask yourself why it’s there. 

What is all this punctuation anyway?

. (period) ends a sentence

, (comma) most versatile of all your punctuation.  It shows the author’s voice, shows continuity or the need for a break.

; (semi-colon) divides and organizes big chunks of information

: (colon) announces a word, phrase or clause

– (dash) sometimes is overused.  Is best used to set a phrase apart or add punch to a closing line.

( ) parentheses are like a side trail that need to be manoeuvred around.

All other punctuation  such as {}, !, ?, [], ABC all gives voice to the author.  They show the pitch, tone and voice of the author.   Each author will find their own path to how they use punctuation.  After all, it’s OUR voice that we are sharing.   Some will use commas and periods almost exclusively, and others will frequently toss in dots and dashes.  It’s all part of making your writing your own.  Just as you need to watch your adverbs and adjectives, you also need to watch how you use your punctuation.

So Get Out There

Write as you write.  Mind you be reasonable about it.  For instance, I’ve read people who insist on not using capitals, who won’t use periods, or who have odd gaps that leave you wondering where to read next. 

So don’t be silly.   You do need to follow punctuation rules.  Remember, the goal is the HELP your readers find YOUR voice.  Therefore USE the writing rules but make your writing your own.  Pause when you would pause, hurry when it seems best to do so.  Use excitement, and tension, and slowness.  Make your words YOUR words. 

Other writing posts

Parallelism with a Twist

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Parallelism.  Do you know what it is?  Have you figured out how to use it effectively in writing?   Do you know how to give it a bit of a twist to give your words more punch?  Walk with me through this chapter of Writing Tools.   Let’s become better writers eh?

 

Parallelism with a twist

What is Parallelism?

Parallelism is the use of identical phrases, words, clauses, and grammatical structures in a sentence or paragraph.

What you do is set up a pattern.  Can be any sort of pattern.

For instance: Rabbits are known for their cute faces, wiggling noses, and fluffy tails.  Rabbits are a common pet, ranking fourth after freshwater fish, cats and dogs.  They provide companionship, therapy, meat, wool, fur and sports partnerships.

Why use Parallelism?

The reason you want to set up pattern is for several reasons:

  1. Lists and sequences. Keep the grammatical structures the same.
  2. Nouns joined by coordinating conjunctives
  3. Phrases joined by correlative conjunctions (either/or; neither/nor; both/and; etc)
  4. Chronological events
  5. To remove needless repetition
  6. Clarity

The advantage in using parallelism (use of identical grammatical structures for related words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence or a paragraph.) is that is makes your writing more forceful, interesting and clear.

Not only that it helps to link ideas that are related, and to emphasize any relationships between them. Once you have that pattern put into place, your reader doesn’t have to work as hard to understand your thoughts and meaning.

I turned to the world wide web in order to gain more understanding, and one website I was at said that a sentence like this : Adam enjoys jumping, skipping and dancing. That sentence is using parallelism, whereas if I said “Adam likes to jump, to skip, and loves dancing.” then that is a faulty parallelism.  What I know is the first sentence reads better than the second, that very fact, that you can read it better, makes it a better sentence. 

You can add a twist

Then you can add a twist, for clarity, shock, or emphasis.

So I tried another:

I found a car, a lovely car
I thought it would go fast
I found a car, a lovely car
It should be such a blast
I found a car, a lovely car
and then it fell apart.

Use structures where you can, and then… add a twist.   This twist that you add gives emphasis and makes what you say more memorable.   (This honestly is where I got lost).

Some examples

One of the examples give was how Superman doesn’t stand for truth, justice and patriotism, but rather for truth, justice and the American way.   I DO NOT see the parallelism.  I do see how the second sounds better than the first

Another example used was Martin Luther King Jr. did his let freedom ring speech, this one section:

And I say to you today my friends, let freedom ring. From the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire, let freedom ring. From the mighty mountains of New York, let freedom ring. From the mighty Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!
Let freedom ring from the snow capped Rockies of Colorado!
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!
But not only there; let freedom ring from the Stone Mountain of Georgia!
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain in Tennessee!
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill in Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

He repeatedly used “let freedom ring”.  Then the last three lines he switched it up, moving from general regions to specifics.   There he  pointed out specific locations of racial injustice, thereby bringing clarity.   I kinda get it with this example which is why I showed it to you.  🙂   The other examples….. well .. go read the book!  🙂

But seriously here.   It makes sense doesn’t it?   To use parallelism.  It will save you words and time and it reads better.   Aaron likes to hunt, fish and swim.  That sentence reads much better than  Aaron likes to hunt.  Aaron likes to fish and also swim.  Or to read Aaron likes hunting and fishing but dislikes swimming.  Parallelism is just another way of using your words in a way that helps your readers better understand and be impacted by what you have to say.   It’s worth learning don’t you think?

Seven Reasons to Find a Writing Community

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You know how easy it is for writers to write on their own? To stick to themselves, writing and reading on their own?  Anguishing over plot lines, fumbling over character development, musing over poetry lines, and waiting for the next blot of inspiration to hit. Sometimes we forget a rather important aspect of writing… having a community we can talk in.  Real people in life that we can talk to, gain inspiration from, realize that we aren’t alone and more.

seven reasons to find a writing community

You know how C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien founded the Inklings?   Feeling alone with their ideas that were out of the mainstream until they found each other and over ale and stories discovered encouragement.  Other men joining in, until they had a group of writers spurring each other on and offering ideas and inspiration to each other.

We are no different you know?   We need each other.  Do you know the benefits of having a community?

Benefits of having a community

  1. Encouragement/Support/Fun/Friendship – all wrapped up in one bundle.  Where would we be without good friends who share a similar interest?   How can we write alone all the time?  Where can we find the inspiration to go on when we don’t have others who share our hobby or interest?   In person or on-line, it’s great to have people you can laugh with, cry with, and just be with.
  2. Critique – A writing community will also want to help you do better at what you want to be best at.  They’ll critique you work in a building up manner, wanting to help you be the best you can be.
  3. Ideas – stuck?  Not sure what to do next or what word would fit well with your thought?  Struggling to understand a character you haven’t quite filled out yet?  Having a group of like minded souls can inspire you as you bounce ideas off each other.
  4. Mentoring/Education – Trying to figure out the best way to do something?  Stuck on what on-line platform to use, or what it means to tighten up a line or a paragraph?  Needing an answer to question that maybe someone else has already figured out?  Being part of a group is a good way to get those questions answered.. whether by you or another member.
  5. Accountability – ..have a goal.. like with NaNoWriMo 50,000 words in a month? Imagine you are all doing this encouraging each other, pushing each other along.  Have a deadline to get a poem in?   Or you need to do that mock up for an editor?
  6. Motivation – Stalling happens. Wouldn’t it be great to have a person who has been there done that be there to give you a nudge?  Tonight I was watching a show with hubby where a gal had given up doing her art, and another artist brought out a canvas and said GO… do it now.  Pushing her to return to a hobby loved. Giving her to motivation to do it for herself.
  7. Promotion/Publication – sharing our work.. whether it’s just for ourselves or for a larger audience, a writing community can and will help you with this.  Even if you only share within your group..a community gives you the opportunity to give a clearer voice to the words you write.  They can also host speaking events, or publish an anthology of your group works.

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Four Hints for Reading Out Loud

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When reading in How to Write a Poem, one of the chapters talks about how to read your poetry out loud to a group.  I have to admit, I hadn’t really thought about this too much.  It makes sense though, to pay attention to the poem that you are reading, so you can give the words all the weight, and the lines the feel that the author intends.

person reading, text four hints for reading out loud

When you read your poetry, or poems written by others, these are some of the things to pay attention to.

Lines And Punctuation:

In a recent poem I wrote I used these words and lines

Weeping, Wailing
Mourning arise.

For after mourning,
the dawn will come.

Reading those lines quickly such as weeping, wailing, mouring arise.  For after mourning, the dawn will come.   Doesn’t sound the same as if you read

Weeping, wailing (pause) mourning arise (short pause)  For after mourning (pause) the dawn will come.  (longer pause).   You need to give the appropriate breaks as the lines and punctuation call for. Don’t over do it with watching the line breaks, or give the wrong sort of weight to the punctuation.

Slow down

Slow down in reading.  Take the time to savour the words and remember, you aren’t reading a report, you are reading a poem.  Words that are meant to say more than just the words written. Let those words live, express them well verbally and don’t be afraid to use your body as well.  Let your poetry come alive for what you are communicating is emotion and the story. 

Key Section

You will find as you read over a poem in preparation for reading it aloud that certain sections will resonate with you more than others.  Emphasize those sections, let the truth, or the emotion, of those sections ring out to your listeners. Slow down, modulate the tone, volume and pitch of your voice, and let your connection with the words show.  This connection will show the importance of these words and draw your listeners in. 

Humanity

Remember this, you are a human, reading to other humans. You aren’t reading to a wall or to a robot where how you present yourself doesn’t matter.  Practice before you set out…memorizing bits of it of if you can, remember to look at your audience not worrying if it takes a moment to regain your spot, read with confidence and good posture and enjoy what you are doing.  Sharing good poetry with others.

Transferrable

Even though I used poetry as an example, each of these four points is worth remembering if you are reading any story outloud.   The need to remember how the story is written.  This was recently made very real to me in a story I am listening to on audible.  The main character was running away… Bush. Bramble. Thorns. Thicket. Branch. Duck. Weave.  These staccato word burst of out the speaker bringing to life the fear she had as she ran heedless into the forest.   The reader did an excellent job of bringing the emotion to life.

Five Reasons to Share Your Writing

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Do you know that when I first started writing poetry as an adult that it was REALLY hard to let people know I liked to write poetry much less let them read it?   MAN that was so hard… and to be honest, it’s still hard but, other than at a writer’s conference I attended, no one has even dissected it and made me feel less than. It is so hard to do though, especially when you start.  I want to encourage you with five reasons to share your writing. 

five reasons to share your writing

I’ve learned to avoid writer’s groups … at least at this point because I don’t know enough about how to dissect someone’s poetry to be very comfortable about having others dissect mine.. I dunno .. does that make sense?   This doesn’t mean I can’t share my poetry with others though.  It’s an excellent thing to do.

Why?

SO glad you asked.

  1. It gives us confidence to continue writing.  Doesn’t it do you good when someone says “I really liked that piece”.  Makes you feel like a million bucks doesn’t it?  So then you want to do it again right?  It’s a huge confidence booster isn’t it?
  2. It gives our words meaning.  We can’t just write for ourselves… writing is meant to be shared.  Even if all you do is write back and forth to your best, longest lived friend.  Or have a small blog in your corner of the universe, or have a mega blog with so many readers it boggles the mind. 
  3. It could be useful.  Perhaps that poem your wrote, or article you spent time agonizing over, is just what the reader needed as an encouragement or to spur them on to better things, or was a balm to a wounded soul.  Maybe that piece of non-fiction taught a 13 year old something he didn’t know before!
  4. Feedback… Even though it’s hard and can crush your spirit.. feedback can also show you what you are doing well and how to make the rest even better. It’s a bit of a two-edged sword right?  The side benefit is if you share your work with discerning writers (so not your very best friend or your mom who will probably like everything you do), you may just end up reading their work and finding your mind sharpened just a bit more.  Fire feeds fire you know?
  5. New readers, new friends, new opportunities.  You never know where your writing will take you.  Someone might read one piece, and then decide they need to read more, and then more and they will share it with their friends and before you know it, you might have a whole following.

What do you say?   Give it a chance?  Let iron sharpen iron?  Find yourself encouraged?   Finding readers that are encouraged or helped?  Isn’t it a lovely thing?   Share it!

 

Banish Writer’s Block

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Oh, this chapter in Pep Talks for Writers made me smile.  Why did it make me smile?  Oh.. it brought me back to the joy of my Five-Minute-Friday writer’s community.   If you’ve visited my blog any Thursday or Friday you’ll almost always find a post written for them.  I find them fun and…. more importantly, they stimulate my thinking. Stimulated thinking is what helps me to banish writer’s block.

Banish Writer's Block

You see Writer’s Block doesn’t have to exist.  You can have moments of not knowing what to write or times when your creativity seems to lag, but if you figure out some tricks you can negate those times.  Every writer needs to have a few of these ideas up their sleeve for when times get a bit ragged in the creativity department. 

Ways to banish Writer’s Block:

  • Ray Bradbury would write out list of nouns and see how they connected to each other. 
  • Get out in nature, look around and just be out there.
  • People watch in a mall or well.. anywhere. 
  • Stop allowing yourself to be distracted.. turn off the tv, the cellphone
  • Allow yourself to become bored.
  • Become physically active.. run, garden, work out, go fishing anything…just get physically busy
  • Do something fun… play a game with your kids, build with lego, colour, solve sudoku puzzles etc.
  • Go away for a day or weekend, get out of the ordinary.
  • Read a book.
  • Join a writer’s community and talk with other writers.
  • Do some freewriting, either on your own or with other writers.
  • Listen to music, perhaps even a type you aren’t in love with.
  • Play with letter art, doodling or calligraphy.  Have fun with words artistically.
  • Figure out if having a routine helps you to write.
  • Get together with a friend either in person or over the phone, perhaps text a good buddy and chat for a while.
  • Make a bullet list of ideas or places.   Anything that remotely connects with a character, place or idea. 
  • Go to an art museum and muse about what you see in the photos, or wonder about an old coin.
  • Walk in a cemetary…not the modern new day ones, but one with graves from the past, and let your curiousity lead you. 
  • Read blogs, poetry, good books, bad ones (they might inspire you to do better), cartoons and cereal boxes.  You never know where inspiration might start.
  • Have a friend challenge you to write on something.  Currently I’m listening to a book where an author was challenged to write about a lost roman legion and pokemon.   It’s turned out pretty good!
  • Use a device like story cubes and pick out three pictures to base a short story on.
  • Teach a class or take part in one.
  • Spend time with a group of children and just kick ideas around with them about what they are interested in or what questions they have about whatever. 
  • Write a letter to yourself, or pretend that a long-lost friend is writing one to you describing their life’s explorations.
  • What can you think of?

Writer’s Block is only a problem if you THINK it is a problem.  Don’t let your momentary lack of creativity, or fear, or needing to take a breather be what stops you from writing.  Work around it and just move forward.  Something will click, it always will.  Just go on… stretch a little.  You’ll be glad you did. You will find that you too can banish writer’s block.

Use Boredom For Good

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You know how letting kids be bored isn’t a bad thing?

It’s the same thing for writers.  We need to learn to use boredom for good.

use boredom for good

Just as a child who is bored, who doesn’t have their time or brain filled with things to do, finds something to do, usually something with a creative bent.  A writer who is bored will find something to think about and eventually to do or at least write about.   I know when I have nothing to do my mind immediately fills with a storyline.

So utilize boredom.  Don’t treat it like an enemy but rather is a friend and helpmeet.

Shut off the devices.  Close the doors.  Don’t read a book, or chat with friends. Perhaps you need to get outside and just be alone in your own space.  Let your mind have the freedom to roam unimpended or distracted. Let your body be busy if necessary but let your thoughts be free to mull around and come up with their own ideas. 

quote by louis c.k.

Next time you are sitting at a doctor’s office mindlessly waiting don’t pull out your cell phone. Pay attention to your boredom, what is it teaching you? So many stories and ideas might be surrounding you.  The elderly fellow using a cane with a pin in the lapel of his vest. The youngster hanging off his momma’s leg.  The lady in the business suit tapping her fingers impatiently.  What are their stories?  That interesting fabric, could it be important?   Who designed that purse?  Could there be a world ruled by spiders? What thoughts are inspired?   Any interesting worlds that might be imagined?  What research could be spurred on?