Grammar Day: Title Capitalization

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: Title Capitalizaton

This is one of those deceptively confusing pieces of grammar. Which words are or aren't capitalized in a title can sometimes seem arbitrary. For example, picture the previous sentence as a title:

Which Words Are or Aren't Capitalized in a Title Can Sometimes Seem Arbitrary

Who decides this??

Any tips? Small words such as 'the', 'and', or 'a' are generally not capitalized, unless they begin the sentence.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

A general rule I use is that if the word is three letters or fewer, it won't be capitalized.

Any Exceptions? Unfortunately, there are a lot of exceptions. In the first example, you can see that there are two three letter words that are capitalized: Are and Can. The word 'be' would also be capitalized.

How to Be an Artist

Perhaps a better rule is: If the word is a connecting word, it shouldn't be capitalized.

Some connecting words:

• to
• and
• but
• an/a
• the
• in
• or

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 Excerpt: Forgotten Memories

Forgotten Memories is available on Amazon, Lulu, the Nook, and Smashwords.

      “So, um...this is awkward, but...that's my grandma you're sitting on.”
      I stared at the young man, curious what he could mean. A half smile inched across his face, and he motioned to the headstone I was leaning against. I gasped and immediately stood up. 
      “I am so sorry,” I said. “I didn't realize—I mean, I should have realized—I just—I'm sorry.”        The man chuckled. “Told you it was awkward,” he said, his dark brown eyes crinkling at the corners as he continued to smile. “I'm Joe.”        “Ella,” I said, tucking my notebook under my arm and shaking his hand.        “So, Ella...do you often come here and sit on others' graves?” He pushed his dark hair out of his eyes as he waited for my response.        I sighed. “You are not making this any less uncomfortable.”        “I'm honestly curious.”        “Okay,” I hesitated and glanced at the cemetery. “Then yes, I do. I guess I didn’t really think of it like that until today.”
      “Ah, yes,” Joe smirked. “Until today you were able to think of headstones as the backs of very uncomfortable benches.”
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Character Interview: Robbie Blake

Name: Robbie Blake

Significant Other: Well, I've been hanging out Kara more often lately. We'll see how that goes, I guess.

What is your strongest belief? I don't know...life is just fun.

How do you like to spend your time? Running, doing sports, and avoiding my parents.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go? I don't think there's a specific place. I'd love to be living on my own, though. I did like Backus when we lived there...

What is your favorite food? Pizza! Especially if it has BACON on it.

Describe yourself in one word: Fun.

What type of music could you listen to for hours? I don't think I could deal with any kind of music for hours. That's ridiculous.

Is Davey a good older brother? He can be. He also can be a real pill.

What was your first thought when he brought Mical home? Eh... She's okay. Needs to learn how to take a joke, but so do most people.

Have you ever ridden a unicorn? No, but if you catch one, let me know.

What's your favorite hobby? Baseball is pretty awesome.

Who's your favorite superhero? Superman. Obviously.

Do you consider yourself to be crazy? Sometimes!

Robbie, Kara, Davey, Joe, and Ella can be found in the novels, Forgotten Memories and Shrouded Jewels.

---

Questions courtesy of Kateri and Bonnie. Thank you!

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

Are you an author in need of support? Visit Rivershore Books to learn about proofreading, editing, and publishing options, or email me with any questions. I'm here to help.

Grammar Day: Ellipses

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: Ellipses

I'm letting my geeky nature show through once again: ellipses are one of my very favorite grammatical pieces.

Definition: An ellipsis is more commonly referred to as 'dot dot dot'. It's this beautiful punctuation mark: ...

Spelling: Ellipsis is singular; ellipses is plural.

What's the point? This lovely 'dot dot dot' is used in both scholarly writings and novels. In a scholarly piece, an ellipsis is used when a portion of a quote is removed. The ellipsis is placed in brackets, to show that it is not part of the quoted words.

The popular hymn states, "Amazing grace [...] that saved a wretch like me."

In a creative work, the ellipsis can be used to show words trailing off. 

He ran a hand through his hair. "I suppose that's okay..."

 It can also be used as part of a sentence.

"Well, no...but I had thought that, too."

Capitalization: When an ellipsis is in the middle of a sentence, the following word is not capitalized.

"We know that...and there was something else we were suppose to remember."

When the sentence trails off and a new one begins, there should be a space after the ellipsis, and the following word should be capitalized.

"She said... Well, I don't remember now."

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!

Review of Shrouded Jewels

Thank you to Claudia Meydrech, a professional book reviewer who recently posted a review of Shrouded Jewels!

Please click here to view the post.

I appreciate the time she invested, and the kind words. (Her blog is also a great resource for authors and readers!)

Thank you, also, to Kateri and Kevin, who have posted well-thought-out reviews on Amazon!

If you have read Forgotten Memories, Shrouded Jewels, or Sansifreeda, thank you! Please consider posting a review on your blog, Facebook, or on Amazon (click on the title above to be directed to the Amazon product page). Your feedback is appreciated!

Character Interview: Bevin Tyler

Name: Bevin Tyler

Significant Other: None yet. I'm only sixteen.

What is your strongest belief? God makes an excellent navigator.

How do you like to spend your time? Whatever my sister Rosie is doing, I'll probably enjoy. Otherwise, I like to read and go for walks.

If you could go anywhere, where would you go? I like it here in Backus, but it would be fun to visit other countries.

What is your favorite food? Egg rolls are amazing.

Describe yourself in one word: Compliant.

What type of music could you listen to for hours? Contemporary Christian.

Do you feel like you often live in Rosie's shadow? Interesting question... I guess you could say that. She just seems to have good ideas more than I do.

How do you like the idea of chocolate covered pickles? I think that sounds gross.

What is your favorite subject in school? I really enjoy math. Numbers can be so intriguing sometimes.

Are you an introvert? Yeah, I guess that's the word you'd use for me.

Do you like answering questions? Not when they're about me. Why don't you tell me a little about you, instead?

Have you ever had a cavity? I had a small one when I was younger. None since.

Do you like Jane? Jane is very sweet and a good friend.

Bevin, Rosie, and Jane can be found in the novel, Forgotten Memories, and the short story, Sanisfreeda.

---

Questions courtesy of Kateri and Bonnie. Thank you!

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

Are you an author in need of support? Visit Rivershore Books to learn about proofreading, editing, and publishing options, or email me with any questions. I'm here to help.

Grammar Day: And & But

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: Starting Sentences with And & But


This is one of my grammatical weaknesses. Beginning a sentence with 'and' or 'but' is so easy to do! It's not technically improper...but it is a personal preference of many grammar enthusiasts.

Why is it wrong? Well--it's not. Here's why it's preferred, though! These words are conjunctions, which mean they connect the first part of a sentence to the second. In other words, they belong in the middle.

For your viewing pleasure...

Final Note: Usually, a sentence can be fixed by combining it with the preceding sentence, or simply by omitting the word.

They didn't want to go. But they said they would anyway.

They didn't want to go, but they said they would anyway.  

And We liked the last performance.

When the sentence really needs a starting word, consider replacing the word with something like 'although' or 'however'; 'also' or 'in addition'.

And In addition, she said she would do it again.

But However, it wasn't his favorite. 

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!