I know grammar is a touchy subject for a lot of people. No one likes to be corrected or reprimanded for using the wrong word in the wrong place. I know many people who simply say, "Isn't that what an editor is for?" They don't care if they get a few words wrong, because they know it can be fixed or that people will get the gist of what was meant anyway.
I also know people who treat grammar like it is the be-all and end-all. They shudder if they see a conjunction at the beginning of a sentence and a preposition at the end (Which, interestingly enough, is generally accepted as proper English now.) They're seen by many as old-school grammar junkies.
What neither of these groups realize is that it's a combination of these things that can create perfect harmony in a creative work of fiction. Upholding a high standard for correct grammar ensures a well-constructed narrative, and it makes for excellent readability. On the flip side, being a bit lax on grammatical structure can allow for a more creative flow of the prose, making it rather musical in nature. It also gives the author of the piece a distinct voice, and can really make a book come to life. But there's a catch to this balancing act; one first has to know andpractice good grammar before break it.
If you read my blog series on why good writing matters, you probably came across the post about grammar. From a professional editor's standpoint, good grammar is essential for giving the author credibility. It assures the reader that the author knows what they're doing, and the reader will not only buy into believability of the story more, but they will be more likely to read past the first few pages. An agent will also be much more receptive to a book with good grammar than one without. This makes the book more marketable.
Once you have a well-written manuscript, you can start using grammar and sentence structure to your advantage. Use variation of sentence structures to make the prose flow, leading one sentence into the next according the mood and pace of the scene. For example, using shorter, choppier sentences and paragraphs mixed in with standard text can set the pace for a suspenseful action scene. Sometimes, a bit of non-standard grammar or even slang is appropriate in order to enhance this effect, particularly when dialogue is involved.
Carol dropped the bloody corpse she had been holding but held the knife firmly. The door had been kicked in. Two dozen FBI personnel surrounded her within seconds.
"Hands where I can see them!" one of them barked.
Carol chanced a glance out of the corner of her eye at the men surrounding her. Each had a handgun, and a few were packing larger weapons. Much larger. With a small smirk, she loosened her grasp on the knife. It clattered to the ground.
"Now!"
This was her chance. She yanked the chain off and threw it on the ground. The glass vial broke and immediately released a thick cloud of white smoke.
Idiots.
She leaped out a nearby window as her pursuers coughed and sputtered at the toxic fumes.
Notice how the purposefully short paragraphs, dialogue, and sentence fragments were used. The variation of sentences mixed in with just a hint of non-standard grammar gave this scene the desired effect. If the sentences lengths and grammar were changed, one might expect a different outcome, such as surrender of the criminal. Apart from the cues of the woman's body language, the short and direct sentences give the reader additional insight to what's coming other than what is directly written on the page.
Knowing how to productively bend the rules of grammar can be a powerful tool in the right hands. It's how good writers achieve those suspenseful, steamy, and action-packed scenes. But there's a big difference between blatantly poor writing and incorrect grammar being used purposefully and methodically to enhance well-written text.
Why Good Writing Matters: Grammar and Spelling
One of the biggest issues I see with new or unpublished writers is poor grammar, spelling, and punctuation. It's one of those controversial items I mentioned in the introductory blog for this series. Some people think it matters, and some don't. What I'm about to say might ruffle a few feathers, but it's the truth, and I feel it's worth discussing. Good grammar absolutely matters, and here's why. If you're writing a book, more than likely, you're looking to eventually get published. Getting something published takes a lot of hard work, determination, and talent. It's part of the long process of turning your scribbles into a work of art, something professional. And it should be treated as such! If you don't make it as professional as possible, and that includes good grammar and spelling, it will reflect poorly not only on the company that publishes it (also making it much less likely that they will even accept it) but yourself. So why would you want to take all that time and effort to create something that is subpar? Those who care very little about the professionalism of their work will not get very far. They may get lucky and have a one-time hit, but I guarantee they will not wind up with a successful writing career that lands them multiple publications. Publishers know what will make them money, and it's not drivel that a get rich quick or get famous kind of attitude can provide.
However, not everyone is able to soak up all the grammar rules we learned in elementary, and that's perfectly okay. My husband, for example, is an extremely smart man, an engineer. But he's a terrible speller. He couldn't spell several everyday words if his life depended on it. But he doesn't let that deter or override his professionalism when communicating in his line of work. If he doesn't know how to spell a word, he looks it up or asks for help. If he isn't sure where a comma should go, he finds out. That's one thing I've always admired about him and his writing, even though it's not his forte. So what can people like him do to improve? What can those who are very good with grammar and spelling do to improve?
1. Build your vocabulary. Get in the habit of learning new words on a regular basis. Look up words you don't know or can't spell. Make notes. Take these new words, and use them. Do writing exercises with them and make them part of everyday conversations. Make yourself some flash cards if you're having trouble with any. The more you use new or unfamiliar words, the better you will get at incorporating them into your writing. That doesn't mean you have to choose big words either; simple, yet strong verbs can have a more profound effect than long, uninteresting ones.
2. Attend creative writing classes or workshops in your local area. Both will teach you writing and grammar skills. They will help you build connections with other writers (and sometimes those in the publishing industry), teach you ways to improve your writing skills and existing pieces, give you ideas for new stories, and they will give you the opportunity to help others overcome roadblocks. This is another stepping stone to becoming a successful writer. Your writing skills will be tried and tested, and you will be pushed to improve. You will be challenged to go outside of your comfort zone. But stick with it. Overcoming those challenges will leave you with a feeling that you know you've achieved something great. You will strengthen your abilities as a writer, as well as gain some new knowledge and skills. Most importantly, these classes will keep you writing. Practice is the key to success in this field.
3. Read well-written literature. Reading is always a recommended tip for improving writing. Reading well-written literature in specific can help with grammar and spelling. The more you see good writing styles, sentence structures, and proper punctuation, the more you will pick up on it. It's a lot like learning a new language. By observing skilled writing techniques and practicing them, you can gain new skills and retain them quite quickly.
Good writing isn't just about how much raw talent you have; it's about learning to take your pre-existing skills, fine-tuning them, gaining some new knowledge, then combining those abilities to create something unique and enjoyable. Good writers practice good writing and continually strive to improve. That's what separates successful writers from unsuccessful ones.