Grammar Day: FANBOYS

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.

Today's Topic: FANBOYS

I was recently reminded of this helpful acronym. It's a tool to remember where commas belong.

Basic Rule: When connecting two independent clauses (complete sentences), place a comma before all of the following words:

• For
• And
• Nor
• But
• Or
• Yet
• So

Sharon bought new shoes, and ran a mile.

Could be: Sharon bought new shoes. She ran a mile.

Jake made some gloves, but didn't use them.

Could be: Jake made some glove. He didn't use them.

Any Exceptions? I think there are always exceptions when dealing with commas.

#1: When one clause is dependent on the other (not a complete sentence), there is no comma.

Robert bought new shoes and socks.

"And socks" could not be a sentence, so a comma isn't needed.

#2: A comma can be omitted when independent clauses (complete sentences) are short. (This exception doesn't apply under traditional punctuation rules.)

She smiled and ran to hug him.

Could be: She smiled. She ran to hug him. 

Since "She smiled." is a short sentence, the comma isn't necessary.

Conclusion: It helps to use FANBOYS, but it's not perfect. (See what I did there?)

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

Second Proofreader

One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to proofread other's creative pieces. While I do my best to read everything thoroughly, I'm human and sometimes things slip through.

In recognition of this, Rivershore Books now offers a second proofreader option. Emilie and Gina both have excellent grammatical skills and experience editing other's writing, and I am thrilled to welcome them to the proofreading team.

If you would like this service, simply add $1 per page to your order. Together we'll ensure your piece is polished!

Grammar Day: Dialogue Tags

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.

Today's Topic: Dialogue Tags

If you've read any of my stories, you know I enjoy using dialogue. Formatting aside, my first drafts tend to look more like scripts than novels. (I've tried writing scripts, though, and couldn't do it--or simply wasn't motivated to. Go figure.)

Spelling: Both dialogue and dialog are accepted (that is, they're both in the dictionary), but dialogue is more widely used in North America. Since I'm in North America too, that's what I use.

What's the point? Dialogue tags help the reader keep track of who the speaker is. Imagine a book where none of the dialogue had tags. While each character ideally has their own way of talking, that would still be a confusing read!

Punctuation: The punctuation of a dialogue tag depends on where it lands.

In the middle of a sentence, the tag is enclosed with commas.

"She really enjoyed it," Jane said, "but thought the roller coasters were scary."

When the tag comes at the end of a sentence, whether or not it ends that character's section of dialogue, it is preceded by a comma, but finished with a period.

"I saw that before," Frank said. "It was okay."

"That is one thing I don't miss," she said.

Capitalization: If you're continuing a sentence after the dialogue tag (as in the first example), the next word of dialogue is not capitalized. Also, if the dialogue tag is 'he' or 'she' instead of a name, it is also not capitalized.

Any Exceptions? Sometimes you'll want to end a dialogue with something besides a comma (which is equal to a period). Go ahead and do this. Sparingly. (Notice the capitalization is the same.)

"I heard that!" she said.

"Did you know about this?" he asked.

You can also use action in place of a dialogue tag. This lets the reader know who is talking, while giving a clearer picture of the scene. In this case, the dialogue ends with a period and the action begins a new sentence.

"They told me you weren't coming." She turned a page of her book in disinterest.

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!

Grammar Day: Commas in Lists

Grammar is a tricky subject. With all the rules and exceptions, how can a person keep track? I can't answer that, but I can help with little pieces here and there.


Today's Topic: Commas in Lists


Commas are a complex subject, so there will be a series of posts on them. Today's will be short.


When writing a list of three or more items, commas should separate each item. As a rule, I use the Oxford comma (a comma before the 'and') to avoid possible confusion. 

Red, transparent, and blue.  

NOT: Red, transparent and blue.

How could that be confusing? Consider the meaning of the following sentences.

I'm inspired by my parents, Anne Frank, and Einstein. 

I'm inspired by my parents, Anne Frank and Einstein.

In the first, it's clear the author is inspired by four separate people. In the second...are Anne Frank and Einstein her parents? Unlikely, but in a more realistic example (My parents, Bob, and Mary) the confusion could arise if the second comma is missing.


Final Note: Lists of two do not need commas.

Red and blue. 

NOT: Red, and blue.

I love to learn; let me know what I'm forgetting!

Have a grammatical question? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to learn the answer--and have your question featured in an upcoming Grammar Day post! I'm here to help and encourage in any way I can.

Visit my website to learn more about me, my books, and my proofreading services, or join the Rivershore Books Writing Forum for support from fellow authors.

Still want more? Find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Twitter!