Writing Help

Writers often have difficulty with the grammatical/mechanical aspects of writing. Here are some links that will help you polish your skills.

1. A list of proofreaders' marks: www.m-w.com/mw/table/proofrea.htm

2. Rules for using commas, with many helpful examples: grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar

3. Rules for capitalization: dictionary.reference.com/help/faq/language/c/capitalization.html

4. Rules for using quotation marks: grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar

5. Suggestions for combining sentences to avoid "primer style": grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar

6. Excellent source for grammar/style: grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar

7. Rules for using compound adjectives. Almost everybody needs a refresher course on this one! www.kentlaw.edu/academics/lrw/grinker/LwtaCompound_Adjectives.htm

8. Help with using the dash to set off material in the middle of your sentence. www.kentlaw.edu/academics/lrw/grinker/LwtaDashes.htm

9. Manuscript preparation. This article is written by a pair of pros and will answer your questions about what your fiction manuscript should look like. However, editors set their own requirements, so before you submit, you'll want to ask for the publication's Writers Guidelines: members.aol.com/asterling/poetry/guidelines.htm

10. If you have questions about copyright protection, here is all you need to know, and then some: www.whatiscopyright.org

Links compiled by Susan Wittig Albert. If you'd like to suggest a link, email it to Susan at susanalbert@storycircle.org.