Grammar Day: Single Quotation Marks

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: Single Quotation Marks

Not to be confused with an apostrophe (which will have its own post in the future), this punctuation mark is used when quoting within a quote.

Where does the period go? If an entire sentence is being quoted, the period goes within the single quotation marks. There is no space between the single and double quotation marks at the end.

"She said, 'We enjoyed learning grammar.'"

When only a word or part of a sentence is within the single quotation marks, the period belongs outside. The period separates the single and double quotation marks at the end.

"He said he was 'confused' but that 'it was okay'."

This rule applies to any ending punctuation mark.

Are there exceptions to when these can be used? Yes. Single quotations can emphasize a word, or denote a title or subtitle. In cases like these, the ending punctuation lands after the single quotation mark.

She wasn't 'thrilled', it seemed, with the choices.

He had just finished reading 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

Keep in mind that many authors (and readers) prefer italics over single quotation marks, in these instances.

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.

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Book Summary: Forgotten Memories

Ella became a goal-driven woman before it was fashionable, or even acceptable. In spite of her mother's constant admonitions, Ella rejects the expectations put upon the “young ladies” of the 1950s. Her life will be decided only by her own choices, and she knows exactly what choices to make. She has a job she enjoys and a man she knows she will marry…just as soon as he realizes that as well. Most importantly, she nearly has the resources and certainly the desire to leave the too-small town of Backus, MN, forever.

But all that she has mentally built for her life comes to a swift end when a handsome but off-putting stranger arrives, and stubbornly refuses to leave. Joe starts working her job in The Diner, gains the respect of the town, and challenges all she once believed—and does it with such grace and charm that she almost can't despise him for it.

Fifty years later, Backus hasn't changed much. The Diner remains, the town newspaper, the Backus Blab, continues to live up to its name, and there are still certain people in the town who are wary of strangers. Jane hopes to fit in, but her bustling world in the Twin Cities was far from sufficient preparation for life in this seemingly quiet town.

The talkative Rosie quickly introduces Jane to Backus, creates a position for her on the teen-run newspaper, and enjoys the willing listener she finds in Jane's soft-spoken nature. Still, life in Backus is not as uneventful as it seems, and as Jane begins researching the town's silenced past, she discovers that love, mysteries, and faith cross generations.

Forgotten Memories can be found on Amazon, at my CreateSpace store, or by emailing me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com. I am honored to sign any copies purchased directly from me!

Character Interviews: Mical Benson

Name: Mical Benson


Significant Other: No one, thank you very much.


What is your strongest belief? There has never been a reason for me to believe in something. Everything and everyone has failed me, so why would I?


How do you like to spend your time? Reading, because it lets me forget...things.


If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Anywhere my father couldn't follow.


What is your favorite food? A cheeseburger--when it's cooked correctly.

Describe yourself in one word: Broken.

What type of music could you listen to for hours? Classical piano.

Why do you hate Davey so much? It's not hatred, it's facing facts. I don't trust him, and I would be stupid if I did.

Do you like unicorns? They're not real, therefore I do not like or dislike them.

What does the word, "sullen" mean to you? I don't appreciate the implication in that question.

How long do you want your hair to be? It's fine as it is--shoulder length.

Do you think that you are too good for Davey? Obviously.


Mical Benson and Davey Blake can be found in the novel, Forgotten Memories. Their story is explored further in the novel, Shrouded Jewels--watch for it on Amazon within the next week!

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Interview questions courtesy of Kateri and Bonnie. Thank you!
Want a question answered in a future interview? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com or join the writing forum to give your input!

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Need something edited? Learn about my proofreading and editing business, Rivershore Books.

Character Interviews: Jane Blake

Name: Jane Blake

Significant Other: None, so far. I'm okay with that.

What is your strongest belief? Everything in life is an opportunity, but not everyone sees it. I sound like a bumper sticker. *rolls eyes*

How do you like to spend your time? Since moving to Backus, I've learned that I don't have a lot of say over what I do, haha. I don't usually mind being dragged around by Rosie, though. Her adventures tend to be fun, and stretch me beyond what I'm used to.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go? I would love to visit India someday. Really though, I'm fascinated by other cultures--so anywhere outside of the U.S. would be great.

What is your favorite food? Noodles with butter and cheese (not to be confused with macaroni and cheese). It's probably terribly bad for me...but it's so good!

Describe yourself in one word: Sweet (At least I try to be!)

What type of music could you listen to for hours? Anything with a beat. I don't need to dance to it, but it's nice to have the option to at least tap my foot. My current obsession is reggae music.

Do you plan to continue writing for the Backus Blab? I think I will. It's definitely improving.

What do you think about the Galas? Do you think they will go on every week? The galas are a lot of fun. I hope they continue! Rosie's pretty invested in them, so I'm sure as long as she's around she'll refuse to let them die out again.

How would you react if a flying monkey came to your house? A flying monkey, like in The Wizard of Oz? Yikes. I'd scream and run! Then I'd tell Rosie, and she'd come hug it and keep it as a pet. That girl is crazy.

Do you like chocolate more than vanilla? It depends on the form. Chocolate is usually better, but I like vanilla ice cream more.

Jane Blake, along with her good friend Rosie, can be found in the novel Forgotten Memories, and the short story (available free on Smashwords), Sanisfreeda.

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Interview questions courtesy of Kateri. Thank you!

Still curious? Ask Jane more questions in the comments, or email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com to have your questions about any of the Backus characters included in a future interview! You can also join the writing forum to give your input.

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Need something edited? Learn about my proofreading and editing business, Rivershore Books.

Character Interviews: Ella Mitchell

Name: Ella Blake (maiden name: Mitchell)

Significant Other: Joseph Blake

What is your strongest belief? God gives us things we don't deserve...and that we sometimes don't initially want!

How do you like to spend your time? Writing, or trying Uncle Bruce's kitchen creations.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go? My answer used to be 'anywhere but here.' I've changed, somehow. Backus is a comforting place, now. I couldn't leave these people.

What is your favorite food? Hamburgers, fresh off the grill, with the special seasoning Uncle Bruce uses. He still refuses to reveal the ingredients...but we'll get him to someday!

Describe yourself in one word: Distrustful

What type of music could you listen to for hours? Jazz. Joe sees it as an opportunity to pull me into a dance. Who wouldn't love that?

What is your favorite thing about Joe? His vibrant love of life, and the way he sees good in everyone, and every opportunity. I also love his persistence...and, okay, I'll admit... I enjoy how romantic he can be.

Do you wish that unicorns were real? No. Horses with horns? I can't think of anything worse!

How often do you sit in graveyards these days? Not as often as I would like to. I go once or twice a week. Joe still finds it morbid. Imagine that!

Describe your perfect day: In the morning, Joe, Davey, and I would head to the big city. We'd go to a park and have a picnic lunch, and Joe and Davey would play in the lake while I took some time to write. We'd go to a movie after, because I've always wanted to experience a theater. The day would end with us heading back home, just in time for a gala.

Ella (and Joe and Davey) can be found in the novel, Forgotten Memories.

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Interview questions courtesy of Kateri and Bonnie. Thank you!

Want a question answered in a future interview? Email me at Jansina@rivershorebooks.com or join the writing forum to give your input!


Need something edited? Learn about my proofreading and editing business, Rivershore Books.

Why CreateSpace?

After completing NaNoWriMo, participants are often given a free proof copy of their novel, provided by CreateSpace. Once you've done all the work required to get your book into the proper formatting and ready to be printed, staying with CreateSpace for the rest of your publishing journey seems an easy choice.


Of course we all know that easy isn't always best, so before signing my book away, I did some research. First, I knew I would self-publish. If there's interest, I can get into my reasons for that in another post.


So I weighed my options in the self-publishing world. Most sites require you to purchase several copies of your book, which, unless you are highly determined, often leaves you with a large debt and boxes of books. There are two notable exceptions to this: CreateSpace and Lulu.


Both sites offer a print-on-demand service, which means that until you sell your books, you owe nothing. For what I was looking for, that was a plus.


You can design and publish a perfect bound paperback from both sites, and both offer many different sizes. Lulu additionally offers a hard cover option: dust jacket or casewrap. That was tempting.


I wanted the ability to offer the book as cost-effectively as I could. For the same size and length of book, with the same royalties, CreateSpace is $12.99, while Lulu is more than double: $28.80.


Since CreateSpace is connected to Amazon, books published through them can automatically be added to www.amazon.com. Purchasing large quantities of your book is always an option for you. Additionally, you retain all rights to your book. If you decide to go through a traditional publisher after publishing on CreateSpace, you can do so. In fact, with their Breakthrough Novel Award (the grand prize being a publishing contract with Penguin), they almost encourage it.

Beauty in Books

There is beauty in words. In their arrangement on the page, in the way they sound when spoken, and in the way they look when written. Shealynn, from Shealynn's Faerie Shoppe, is willing to go a step beyond that: Book art.

I'm not a clock or watch person, but I wouldn't mind telling time by this!

An assurance from Shaelynn's blog:

"Don't worry. Unwanted books are not perfectly good books. The books I'm talking about are either 1) waterlogged or otherwise ruined volumes, or 2) those books whose content is worth next to nothing.

I do not desecrate good books. 

I just bring bad ones to life."

My favorite of her creations.

See more of her Destroyable Books series, and check out the rest of her creative pieces (including jewelry you could own), by following the links to her blog. She is an extremely talented young woman!

Now, as an author I have to insist that there is no replacement for the printed word. However, these eReader jackets from Out of Print Clothing tempt me to buy an eReader, just for an excuse to use them:

Out of Print Clothing offers t-shirts, bags, notebooks, coasters, and more; and their selection of books is continually increasing. 

Who wouldn't be inspired while writing in a journal like this?

Are you a fan of book art? What are some of your favorite artistic ways to see words? Please share!