Good mechanics don’t call attention to themselves; they disappear into the background so the reader can focus on the story. Proper writing mechanics are the skills that make your prose read smoothly. They include grammar, punctuation, usage, and mechanics.
This blog post will discuss tips to help you write better and produce a well-written, enjoyable novel. If you’re looking to improve your writing skills, be sure to check out these helpful tips!
Writing mechanics
Writing mechanics refers to grammar, punctuation, usage, and mechanics. Mechanics is the term for all rules that govern how a sentence is written. Grammar covers verb tense, subject-verb agreements, and pronoun cases. Punctuation covers end marks such as periods and commas, quotation marks, and other unique marks.
Grammar and spelling
Correct grammar is essential in any written document. It covers verb tense, subject-verb agreements, and pronoun cases, so check your work for errors or typos. Also, look for misplaced modifiers, subject-verb agreement issues, and other common mistakes. Consult a style guide or an online grammar checker if you’re unsure about anything.
What is a misplaced modifier?
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from the word it modifies. Here are a few examples:
– The teacher with long hair was quite strict. (The modifier “with long hair” is misplaced because it should modify “teacher,” not “strict.”)
– He ate the pizza slice quickly. (The modifier “quickly” is misplaced because it should modify “ate,” not “pizza slice.”)
– She danced gracefully around the room. (The modifier “gracefully” is misplaced because it should modify “danced,” not “room.”)
To avoid creating misplaced modifiers, always place modifiers as close as possible to the words they modify. If you can’t move them close enough, put them right next to the verb. And be sure to use appropriate punctuation, so your readers know which words are being modified.
Here is an example of a complete sentence:
I was walking my dog on Main Street when I saw a cat. In this sentence, the verb tense is correct (“was walking”). The subject-verb agreement is also accurate, as “I” and “was walking” are both singular. The punctuation is also correct, with a period at the end of the sentence indicating its completion. Finally, the mechanics are all accurate, making it a complete sentence.
Subject-verb agreement issues
– Sometimes, a writer mistakenly uses a plural verb when the subject is singular. Or they might use a singular verb when the subject is plural. Another mistake writers sometimes make is using the present tense verb when the subject calls for the past tense.
– There are times when there can be confusion over whether to use “a” or “an” before a word beginning with “h.” The best way to know which to use is to think about the sound the letter makes when you say it aloud. For example, when the H makes the consonant sound /h/, as in “hat,” you would use “a”. But when the H makes the vowel sound /É™/, as in “herb,” you would use “an”.
– A proper noun is a specific name for a particular person, place, or thing. For example, “David,” “New York City,” and “King Tut” are all proper nouns starting with a capital letter. In contrast, common nouns are general names that can refer to any number of people, places, or things. For example, “man,” “city,” and “pharaoh” are all common nouns.
– When writing numbers in the text, spell out numbers between zero and nine and use numerals for ten and above. However, always use numerals when writing dates (century or year). So the twenty-first century would be “21st century” or “2016”.
Reading your work aloud or having someone else read it can help you identify any errors the spellchecker may have missed. Additionally, reading and revising your work allows you to ensure that all your ideas are articulated clearly and logically.
Use varied sentence structure
Variety is vital in writing. Mix your sentence lengths, use active verbs and adjectives, and vary your word choice.
Varied sentence structure can add interest and intrigue to your writing, making it more engaging for readers. Additionally, using a variety of sentence structures can help to clarify your points and make them more easily understood.
Here is an example:
– Sudden slaps of rubber soles on wet pavement made him freeze. Don’t move a muscle. Urgent voices argued. He waited, every muscle in his crouched-up body screaming for release. The voices grew faint, then became lost in the distance. Go. He squeezed out of his space and sprinted to his car.
By varying your sentence structure, you can also create a rhythmic quality in your writing, adding a lyrical element that can be pleasing to the eye and ear. And finally, using different sentence structures can help to keep your readers engaged by providing them with a bit of variation and surprise.
Punctuation
Punctuation can make or break the flow of your sentence, so use it carefully. Pay attention to how you end sentences and if they need commas, quotation marks, colons, semicolons, or other punctuation.
Punctuation in thrillers:
There are no hard and fast punctuation rules in thrillers, but avoiding using too many parentheses, colons, semicolons, and dashes is generally advisable. These can often disrupt the narrative flow and make it difficult for readers to follow the plot.
It’s also important to use commas and periods sparingly, as they can interrupt the pacing of a sentence. You may also want to avoid excessive exclamation points, as these tend to create a sense of hysteria or over-the-topness that can be jarring in a thriller.
That said, there are a few basic principles that most thriller writers follow. For example, they use shorter sentences and paragraphs than writers of other genres and often break up dialogue with periods rather than commas. They also sometimes omit quotation marks around dialogue or use them sparingly.
Ultimately, the best way to learn about the punctuation rules for thrillers is to read some thrillers yourself. As you read, take note of the formatting techniques used. You may also want to discuss your observations with other thriller writers or editors to get their perspectives on how best to use punctuation in thrillers. With practice and patience, you’ll soon become a pro at using proper punctuation in your thrillers!
There are many rules of punctuation. Here are a few of the most common ones:
-Period (.): A period is used at the end of a sentence.
-Comma (,): A comma separates elements in a list, sets off interrupting phrases and clauses, and indicates boundaries between independent and dependent clauses.
Colon (:): A colon is used to introduce a list or explanation after a main clause.
-Semicolon (;): A semicolon is used to join two independent clauses that are closely related; it can also be used instead of a period in cases where the sentence would otherwise be too short.
-Apostrophe (‘): The apostrophe is used to show possession (e.g., Mary’s pen) and to form contractions (e.g., can’t).
-Exclamation mark (!): The exclamation mark indicates strong emotions, interjections, or commands.
-The Question mark (?): A question mark indicates a direct question.
-Quotation marks (“): Quotation marks denote direct quotes.
-Dash (—): The dash indicates an abrupt change in thought or sets off a parenthetical phrase.
-Ellipsis (…): Ellipses indicate the omission of words, usually within a quotation. They can also be used for emphasis.
After you’ve finished writing, taking time away from it is essential to give yourself some distance. This will allow you to come back and review your work with fresh eyes, ensuring that your written project is the best it can be.
Usage
Usage refers to using a word or phrase correctly. Here are a few examples that would be issues of usage:
– You might be unsure whether to use “who” or “whom” in a sentence. “Who” is the subject of a sentence, and “whom” is used as the object of a sentence. For example, “Who is your favorite singer?” would use “who” because it is the subject of the sentence, and “To whom should I address this letter?” would use “whom” because it is the object of the sentence.
– Usage can also refer to verb tenses in a particular situation. For example, should you say “I am going” or “I went”? For example, if you want to emphasize that something is happening now, use “I am going.” If you want to emphasize something that has happened, use “I went.”
– Usage can refer to each language’s standard words or phrases. For example, “irregardless” is not considered standard English, so using it would be an issue of usage. It has a negative meaning, which is why it’s considered incorrect. The correct term would be “concerning,” as in, “concerning your opinion, I still plan on wearing what I want.”
– Finally, misspellings would be issues of usage. Everyone makes typos sometimes, and sometimes they even make it into published books! Here are a few of the most common misspellings of certain words that you might come across in novels:
-real/really
-there/their/they’re
-its/it’s
-your/you’re
-gray/graye
-realize/realise
-weird/wierd
-definitely is often spelled defiantly
-accomplish is often spelled accomplishments
Proofread your work before publishing
Once you’ve taken time away from your document and returned to it, read through it carefully for any typos, mistakes, or inconsistencies.
Incorrect spelling can distract readers, particularly if the mistake is repeated multiple times throughout the novel. Sometimes, a misspelled word can even change the meaning of a sentence.
Although correcting these mistakes as you read is tempting, it’s best to note them and go back later to fix them. That way, you can stay focused on the story and not get pulled out of the narrative by having to focus on correcting spelling errors.
It also helps to read your work aloud to catch any mistakes easily. And if possible, have someone else read your work for further proofreading. Ask a colleague or friend to read through the document before sending it off; they may spot something you missed.
Take advantage of writing resources
Many tools and resources are available to help you become a better writer. These include grammar and spell checkers, dictionaries, thesauruses, and style guides.
Conclusion
Excellent writing mechanics are the nuts and bolts of good writing. They’re the things the writer doesn’t think about when all is going well but can trip them up when they’re not paying attention. Attending to these small details makes your writing sound smooth, professional, and confident.
I hope this was helpful 🙂
If you’re working on your first novel and are looking for more help with your writing, please check out my other articles on writing at https://ullahakanson.com/blog/
Thanks for reading!
Ulla