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How to Write Metaphors Like a Professional Writer

12/10/2014

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PictureWrite until your heart is content.
A metaphor is a figure of speech. We speak metaphorically when we say something that represents something else.

A metaphor is a comparison of two things that are completely different, yet when we use them in correlation with each other, we see some sort of resemblance or sameness, providing a clear picture of what we mean.

There Are Two Types of Metaphors.
Metaphors can be simple or can be structured as what is known as a simile. Let’s explore each type of metaphor.

The Simple Metaphor: Generally, a metaphor associates an object or concept that is real with an object or concept that is not real.

Examples:
My heart is broken.
In this example, the heart is real, but it is not actually broken.

Tom is a pig.
In this example, Tom is not really a pig. But, because pigs are sloppy, when we say Tom is a pig, it creates the vision of Tom eating sloppily.

It’s raining cats and dogs.
In this example, it is raining, but cats and dogs are not falling from the sky. We use such a phrase to say it is raining very hard.

The Simile: Similes is a type of metaphor that uses words such as “like” or “as” to make a comparison between two things that are not alike. A simile is used when the writer wants to say that one thing is like another thing.

Examples:
He ran like the wind.
In this example, comparing his running speed to the wind gives the reader the idea that he ran very fast.

She sings like an angel.
In this example, we are saying she sings beautifully.

It is as cold as ice.
In this example, we are saying it is very cold.

Use Metaphors Effectively
Metaphors help the writer paint a vivid picture for their readers. A cleverly written metaphor can liven up your content. I admit that it took me a long time to get a handle on how to use metaphors effectively. But, once I got a little bit of an idea of how to use metaphors, I tried my hand at using them with a publication that I wrote titled, “Write Like a Musician for Content That Flows.” 

For Further Reading
I have a writer friend who is a former school teacher. His name is William Holland. He is a published author who explains metaphors in a way that may help you gain a tighter grasp of the concept. Read his publication titled, “Writing 101: The Under-Appreciated metaphor.”  

Until next time, "Happy Writing!"

Copyright Marlene C. Bertrand.    All rights reserved.


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The Period and the Semicolon

12/8/2014

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A period is used to note the end of a sentence.

A semicolon, on the other hand, is a cross between a comma and a period; denoting that related information is to follow.

Here are some common semicolon rules:

Rule 1:
We often use a comma at the end of a thought. It causes the reader to pause. Now, the semicolon, being a combination of a comma and a period notes more or less a complete thought. When you use the semicolon, you are letting the reader know that the words which follow the semicolon are closely related to the words preceding the semicolon.

Example:
Tasha said she was sorry; it was her fault anyway.

Rule 2:
There are certain words that we use to cause the reader to pause. Some grammar experts call these connector words or transitional words. We use these words to connect two independent clauses (sentences that have a subject and a verb, and is a complete thought).

Use a semicolon between independent clauses, separated by connector or transitional words such as and, but, with respect to, in other words, actually, indeed, furthermore, also, besides, however, as soon as, all of a sudden, etc. Place the semicolon in front of the connector words and a comma after connector words.

Examples:
I ran for six miles; all of a sudden, my feet began to ache.
I can’t believe he didn’t open the door; then again, she did tell him she didn’t need his help for anything.

Rule 3:
In sentences that contain a series of items, we use commas. Sometimes, when the series contain items that include a comma (cities and states) a semicolon is used to make items in a series clearer.

Example:
I’d like to visit Paris, Texas; Marysville, Michigan; and San Jose, Costa Rica.

Semicolon or Period?
When you just want the reader to pause or when you want to join independent clauses together, use a semicolon. Use a period at the end of a complete sentence.

A semicolon is never used at the end of a sentence; however, a semicolon can be used at the end of a complete thought. Essentially, when two minor thoughts are brought together to form a better understanding for the reader, a semicolon may be used.

Copyright Marlene C. Bertrand 2014
Originally published 12-8-2014


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How to Use and Punctuate Quotation Marks Correctly

11/25/2014

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Most writers know that it is required to use quotation marks when writing the exact words of someone else. Additionally, quotation marks are used to set off titles and technical words. Writers also use quotation marks when wanting to draw special attention to a word or phrase, such as when we are being sarcastic. In this blog post, I show you how to use quotation marks correctly and how to punctuate sentences containing quotation marks.

How to Use Double Quotation Marks
Use double quotation marks to set off the exact words of someone else. Place a double quotation mark at the beginning and at the end of the entire quote.

Example:
         
William Shakespeare wrote, “To be, or not to be, that is the question.”

Use quotation marks to set off titles for magazines, articles, books, chapters, plays, poems, songs, and such.

Example:
          He read the book, “The Mountain of Love,” and enjoyed the ending a lot.

Set off technical words or concepts with quotation marks.


Examples:
         
That doctor wrote the book on “bedside manners.”                
         
At Endeavor Homes, we sell home building kits that come with “paneled” walls.


Use quotation marks to draw special attention to a word or phrase or when you want to show sarcasm.

Example:

                Drawing special attention -

                The woman was a “little” bit peeved when she saw her fiancé having lunch with his ex-wife.

                Showing sarcasm -

                The police officer said he was there to help the burglar get what he “deserved.”

How to Punctuate Quotation Marks

Grammar books lay out dynamic and drawn out explanations for how to punctuate quotation marks, but at the end of the explanations there is really only one rule to follow, and this is it:

“The quotation marks
follow punctuation.”


Example:

                Maria said, “I’m tired. I want to go home now.”

                “Tell me,” she said, “are you really a grandmother?”

Single Quotation Marks

Single quotation marks are used to quote a quote within a quote. At the end of the quote within the quote, remember to place a space between the single quotation mark and the double quotation mark.

Example:

                He said, “Melissa pleaded, ‘Don’t leave me!’ “

That’s all there is to using quotation marks.

In my next blog, I will answer the question, “When should I use a semi colon instead of a period?”

Until then, happy writing!

Copyright 2014 Marlene Bertrand

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Common Comma Usages and Ways to Use Commas Effectively

11/18/2014

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Most writers use commas correctly; however there are some comma usages that are not necessarily mistakes, but when used ineffectively, can cause confusion for writers and readers. Learn which comma usages commonly cause confusion and how to use commas effectively.

First, let me state that what I am about to share is not all of the comma usage rules. What I share here are the comma usage rules that cause confusion when not used effectively.

Now, let me go on to state that some comma usage choices are not based upon rules, but rather guidelines that leave the usage up to the writer’s preference. You are the writer, so write in a way that makes your content clear to the reader. If adding a comma adds clarity, by all means, place that comma exactly where you deem it needs to be.

Using Commas Effectively

Alright, in order to use commas effectively, you need to have a handle on the purpose of the comma.  The purpose of the comma is to indicate a brief pause in a sentence. A comma lets the reader know that there is more to follow.


Effective Comma Use #1: Use commas to separate words in a series of three or more items. Example:
I like ice cream, cake, and candy.


Note: Some grammar professionals suggest that the final comma can be omitted from the series. Whether you place the comma before the final item in the series or not is up to you, however either way you decide to use the comma, just be consistent throughout your work.

Example:
I like ice cream, cake and candy.


Another Example:
I like ice cream, cheese and crackers and candy.


To omit the comma in the last item in a series (as in the last example shown) might cause confusion. People, who are not familiar with common food dishes, may think cheese and crackers and candy is one item. It would be best to include the comma for clarification in a way that is similar to the first example.

Effective Comma Use #2: Whenever you have two adjectives in a sentence, and whenever those adjectives can be used interchangeably, then use a comma to separate the adjectives.

Example:
Alice ate the delicious, ripe apple.


Note: The adjectives (delicious and ripe) can be used interchangeably in the sentence, so a comma is appropriate to separate them.

Effective Comma Use #3: Expressions such as nevertheless, after all, however, by the way, in other words, etc. are words that tend to interrupt the flow of the sentence. Use a comma to set off the expression.

Example:
He is, by the way, very handsome.


Effective Comma Use #4: The use of independent clauses can cause many a heated conversations. The most acceptable rule is that when a sentence is started with a dependent clause, use a comma after it.

Example:
If it rains tomorrow, call before leaving.


Effective Comma Use #5: When a subject is clearly identified, then the description that follows that subject is not really essential and should be set off by commas.

Example:
Aunt Mary, the multimillionaire, lives in a mansion on the hill.


If your readers are already familiar with who Aunt Mary is, then explaining that Aunt Mary is a multimillionaire is non-essential. The explanation should be set off with commas.

           On the other hand…

Example:
That elderly lady who is a multimillionaire lives in a mansion.


Since the readers do not know who the lady is, the explanation that follows is essential and does not need to be set off with commas.

Effective Comma Use #6: Use commas with direct quotations.

Examples:
Mary Ann said, “This is it!”
“So,” I said, “you can have it your way.”


There Are More Comma Usage Guidelines
There are many more comma usage guidelines to explore. The guidelines shared today are guidelines that tend to be the most confusing and cause the most heated discussions among writers, subject matter experts, and publishing managers.

When I need answers, I refer to resources that have served me well as a technical writer in the past and as a freelance writer now. The following books sit on my bookshelf ready for use at my demand. When working with clients, you will need to adhere to the client’s style guide for how they want their documents to be formatted. As an independant writer, you have the liberty of setting up your own style guide. The following resources offer excellent information on grammar and punctuation styles that are most common to writing for United States publishing standards.

For more in depth information and to find more comma usage guidelines, explore the following resources that I use on a regular basis. These books can be found easily an most retail bookstores.

Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style

The Chicago Manual of Style

AP Stylebook


Next Writing Tip
I will approach the subject of “Quotation Marks” and how to use them correctly.

Until then, happy writing!




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How Many Words is a Book?

11/14/2014

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PictureRelaxing with a good book.
There are no hard and fast rules to determine the length of a book. Mostly, your publisher guidelines will determine how your story is to be classified. Find out what generally accepted guidelines are for determining whether your manuscript is a short short story, short story, novella, or novel.

Word Count
The number of words in your manuscript is important, because when your manuscript is published into a book, the number of words determine into which genre your book will be placed.

So, the first thing you need to do is determine the word count of the work you intend to write or have written. Fortunately, most word processing software programs, such as Microsoft Word have a built-in tool that calculates the number of words for you, so the task of sitting down and physically counting words is not necessary.

Most writers have an idea of which category they wish to write. Personally, I wish to write short stories. One day, I hope to venture into writing novels, but for now I am happy writing short stories. Knowing that I will be writing a short story allows me to keep the number of words in my manuscript to a certain number of words. If the number of words in my manuscript fall below or rise above the generally accepted guidelines for short stories, then I run the risk of my short story being classified either as a “short short story” or a “novella” or “novel” and placed in a category that I did not intend.

Generally Accepted Guidelines for Manuscript Classifications
First, let me be clear about guidelines. Guidelines are guidelines. They are simply aids in helping writers and publishers determine which category a manuscript would be suited best. No organized writing authority mandates how books are classified, so in each case, it is left up to the writer and the publisher.

According to a nationally published study performed by Staples, most people read at what is determined to be an eighth grade reading level which is about 250 words per minute. For more information about this study, please read my blog post titled: Why Write Short Stories?

This information is helpful in determining how long it will take people to read your work. My blog post also has a fun tool to help you figure out what your own reading level is. Try it! It’s kind of fun to know at what level you read as compared to other readers.

Generally, the following guidelines are typical --

Short Short Stories: These are stories that can be read in fifteen minutes or less. The word count is usually less than 3,000 words.

Short Stories:  These are stories that can be read in fifteen minutes to two hours. The word count is usually between 3,000 to 10,000 words. Longer short stories are accepted, as well. Some publishers consider a story as long as 20,000 words to be labeled as a short story.

Novellas:  A novella is considered a short book. The word count is usually between 20,000 to 60,000+ words.

Novels: When people refer to books, they are usually referring to books with a word count of 80,000 to 89,999+ words.

As you can see, there are clearly some areas for serious subjectivity. Manuscripts between 10,000 words to 20,000 words are left up to interpretation of the market, the writer, and the publisher. Manuscripts that are between 60,000 to 80,000 words are not directly addressed and it is left up to broad interpretation as to whether the manuscript belongs in the novella or novel category. You and your publisher will make the determination as to which category is best. If you are an independent publisher, like me, then you have the liberty of making the determination as to which category your published book falls.

When I outline my stories, I consider my desired word count and then I use that number as a guide for writing the whole story. Generally, I determine which genre my manuscript should fall into and then I write the manuscript so that it falls within the word count for that specific genre. I am a self-published author, so I make the determination according to what is a popular word count at the time of publication. Generally, I write less than 10,000 words, so I can easily fit my short stories in the short story category without concern that it would be considered anything other than a short story by generally followed guidelines.

The good thing about writing is that it is subjective. As writers, we are artists. Publishers are executives who cater to artists and while they have specific standards, they also have the ability to be flexible. You and your publisher will work out the details of whether your manuscript should be published as a short short story or short story; a novella, or novel.

Guidelines, but not laws! Such is the world of writing.

Next Writing Tip
Something that plagues most writers, including me, is how to use commas. In my next blog post I will tackle the standards most publishers accept for using commas.

Until then, happy writing!


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    Marlene C. Bertrand declared "Independent Writer" status in 2013. This blog shares her journey as a writer. Visit Marlene's  My Books page for recently published books.

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    Recommended Recources

    When I need answers to my writing questions, I refer to resources that have served me well as a technical writer in the past and as a freelance writer now. The following books sit on my bookshelf ready for use at my demand. When working with clients, you will need to adhere to the client’s style guide for how they want their documents to be formatted. As a freelance writer, you have the liberty of setting up your own style guide. The following resources offer excellent information on grammar and punctuation styles that are most common to writing for United States publishing standards.

    Any one or all of the following books are valuable books to have on your bookshelf at all times:

    Strunk and White's Elements of Style

    The Chicago Manual of Style

    Associated Press Stylebook


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