Marji Laine

I Love a Good Mystery!

Unravel the Mystery of Grammar!

by 9 Comments

I love my critique group. Like superheroes they open their laptops and design wit and wisdom through every line! With their help, I will avoid the neon signs marking novice writing and glaring amateurish errors. Here’s what I learned just last night:

  • Make every word count.
  • Keep statements turned toward the positive side.
  • Cut up three-line sentences.
  • Start sentences with intention.
  • End with strong words.
  • Avoid using pronouns to begin or end sentences.
  • Avoid using it or this anytime
  • Avoid repeating words – oops.
  • Use a comma before the word “and.”
  • Don’t apply quotations marks outside of dialogue – oops, again.
  • Action verbs intensify sentences.
  • Eliminate passive, helping verb usage with -ing words following.

Checklist gold, the expert suggestions from this group confirm one major truth.

 . . . I still have a lot to learn!
What suggestions can you add to the list? What grammatical tidbit wormed it’s way into your noggin lately?

Author: Marji Laine

Marji is a recently "graduated" homeschooling mom whose twin girls have blessed her by sticking around the nest for a little longer. She spends her days directing the children’s music program at her church and working with the authors of Write Integrity Press to put out the best possible version of their books. Raised in suburban Dallas, she got her first taste of writing through the stories of brilliant authors of their day, Mignon Eberhart and Phyllis A. Whitney, and through stage experience. After directing and acting in productions for decades, Marji started writing her own scripts. From that early beginning, she delved into creating scintillating suspense with a side of Texas sassy. She invites readers to unravel their inspiration, seeking a deeper knowledge of the Lord’s Great Mystery that invites us all.

9 thoughts on “Unravel the Mystery of Grammar!”

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  1. Marji Laine - Unravel the Mystery
    2011/September at 10:19 pm

    Good job, Daniel! See you tomorrow and no snoring in class!

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  2. Daniel V
    2011/September at 9:23 pm

    I am Writing this down right now. There's nothing much to add on the checklist this is as you said gold. Daniel

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  3. Marji Laine - Unravel the Mystery
    2011/September at 11:35 am

    "There" is a new one for me, Ben. The comma thing is actually a fairly new rule, Erin. I was brought up that you use the comma instead of and, but that has now changed.

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  4. Erin
    2011/September at 11:16 am

    I was always confused about whether or not I should put a comma in front of "and" These are good tips. 🙂

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  5. Ben J
    2011/September at 11:11 am

    I had a teacher once who never let me use the word "there" in an essay so I suppose that would be my suggestion 😛

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  7. Elicia
    2011/September at 9:40 am

    Suggestions to add? Nope. Lots for me to learn? Yep.

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  9. Lisa Mikitarian
    2011/September at 6:45 pm

    You've got great pointers here. As far as adding one…um…oh, how about limiting adverbs?

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