Writer's companion

[KarateCowboy]

Currently I use a manual called Write for College by the maker's of Writers, Inc. I find that most writers do not seem to use manuals like that because people just don't care about grammar anymore. I was reading an article in the Milwaukee "Journal Sentinel" and found twenty-two grammatical errors in it! My grammar is not perfect but I am working on it. However, I am not satisfied with my manual because it does not mention that professional writing should not use contractions except when quoting speech and it also has a bunch of baloney about politically correct speech like "use 's/he' instead of 'he' to refer to an anonymous individual" because even though 'he' in that instance means a man or a woman in the English language it hurts the feelings of feminists. Do you know where I can get a good writer's manual of the English (not politically correct 'American') language? Do you have any recommendations?

 

[lsholes]

If you are writing fiction, I can tell you what my publisher said the the standard for the industry. WORDS INTO TYPE It is expensive, but the final word. Fiction is much more forgiving when it comes to formalities. Fragments, run-ons, etc. are part of a writer's craft and are very powerful and not considered bad grammar. Good luck to you. Of course if writing an academic paper, the rules change. This is just for fiction.
Lynn Sholes also writing as Lynn Armistead McKee
www.LynnSholes.com

 

[bubblegirl23]

Look up Strunk - he wrote a fabulous book in the early 1900s. Back then, there was no P.C.

 

[flaglady]

Currently I use a manual called Write for College by the maker's of Writers, Inc. I find that most writers do not seem to use manuals like that because people just don't care about grammar anymore. I was reading an article in the Milwaukee "Journal Sentinel" and found twenty-two grammatical errors in it! My grammar is not perfect but I am working on it.

I blame texting and e-mails!!

However, I am not satisfied with my manual because it does not mention that professional writing should not use contractions except when quoting speech

S'funny, I always apply this rule in my writing but never knew there was a principle about it - but now I know, quite right!!!