New Website!

     About a week ago, I launched my website for my company, Kali Tedrow Editing. To keep everything in one place, I am now going to be blogging on my website. Please visit at www.kalitedrowediting.com! If you would like to read my most recent blog post, you can find it here: http://kalitedrowediting.com/2020/07/22/how-to-choose-a-topic-that-interests-your-audience/.

How to Include Animals in Your Fictional Book

One of my favorites parts of writing fiction is the room it gives the author for creativity. There are many ways to add color to one’s story so that it comes alive for the reader. One such way is by adding animals to your book. An animal character in your story can benefit you in several ways if you follow certain guidelines.

Benefits of Animal Characters

You can benefit from adding an animal character in three ways. One way is by making the story more interesting and natural. Animals are a part of our everyday lives and including them in your characters’ lives can make your story more believable. They don’t necessarily have to be a pet either. Even a wild animal can add to your story and grab your readers’ attention.

Another way an animal can add to your story is by moving the plot along. You can tie the animal into the plot line somehow and use that animal to drive the action. Take, for instance, a mystery novel. You can use your character’s dog to unveil a clue or rescue another character from the antagonist. There are many possibilities depending on the animal and type of story you choose.

A final benefit of an animal character is the possibilities for side stories or comic relief. A cat with odd mannerisms or a birdseed-stealing squirrel adds personality to your plot and helps develop your characters as they interact with these animals. The animal can also add humor to your novel so that readers can have comic relief amid heavy action scenes and drama.

Advice for Writing Animal Characters

Adding an animal to your fictional work may be beneficial, but that is only true if it is done right. There are several recommendations you should follow if you add an animal character to your story that will help you avoid some common mistakes.

            The first tip is the most important: authenticity. As a writer, you need to make sure you are giving your readers accurate information. It doesn’t matter if you are writing fiction; authenticity is critical. Be certain you are portraying your animal character accurately. It won’t add to your story if it doesn’t feel natural to the reader. It will especially cause problems if someone familiar with that animal sees something inaccurate.

            The best way to avoid mistakes is by completing thorough research. If it is possible, you should go see the animal in-person or interview an expert so that you can get all your questions specific to your story answered. Such in-person research can be more beneficial because you can get the answers necessary for what you want to write rather than generic information you might find in books and on websites.

            Another piece of advice to practice is consistency. Make sure that as your plot moves along, your animal characters don’t suddenly disappear and reappear at random. It can jerk the reader out of the story because it breaks the flow and causes the reader to backtrack.

            This is one area where notes are invaluable. Keeping track of details will keep your story consistent and make it feel natural. So, if you have a cat lying on the main character’s couch, don’t forget that fact and allow a visitor to sit on the poor cat. Readers will notice!

            A final practice you should implement is moderation. Don’t let your animal character become so prevalent or quirky that they overshadow your characters and plotline. You want your readers to focus on the action and the point you are trying to make, not the animal. If your animal character becomes too distracting, it will undermine its purpose in your writing.

Conclusion

           Your story should take your readers into its world. One way you can accomplish this is by adding an animal into your book. Animals can be a fun addition that helps move your story along. If you do add an animal, be careful to portray it accurately and consistently. If done right, animals can make your book more interesting and capture your readers’ attention.

How To Balance Your Intentions with Your Audience's Interests

            For every document, article, and book there are two interested parties: the author and the audience. It doesn't matter if you have an assigned topic or freedom to choose; either way, the interests of both you and your audience will affect what you write and how you write it. As the author, you might find it tricky to balance your interests with that of your audience. Before you begin writing, there are three questions you need to ask yourself to help you determine the best balance.

            The first one is deceptively simple: Who is my audience? Sometimes it will be obvious, but not always. Rather than assuming you know, take the time to think about what you are writing and who will be most likely to read it. Who is going to be most likely to look at your work? You can’t begin to balance the intent of your writing unless you know who you are communicating the information to. If you are lucky, you can choose the audience you direct your work towards. It can sometimes be easier when you get a choice in the audience you write to, especially if you have a subject already in mind. If you have an assignment, an audience is already in place. In the former case, it is important to know who you want your audience to be so that you can ensure that your topic is of importance to them. In the latter, knowing who your audience is will help you determine the direction your writing will need to take.
            Once you have identified your audience, you need to do a little research about them. The second question you need to ask is “What does the audience want to know?” This is a key question once you know whom you are writing to. If you have a particular audience you want to reach, this question will give you advice on what to write about. The author is reflected in the information and writing style while the audience is represented in the topic. Whatever you write about should answer the questions of your target audience. In the case of an assignment, researching your audience is important because it will tell you what to communicate to them in a way that will solve a problem for them.
            The third question also involves researching your audience, but from a different angle. By this time, you have determined what you will be writing about and who you are writing for. Now the answer to this final question will tell you how to write. You need to ask, “What does the audience already know?” The answer to this question will tell you what voice and tone to use as well as other stylistic choices such as how much jargon to include. If your audience is beginner users of a software and you need to explain certain functions to them, you will need to write more descriptions with plain language to make your directions clear to them. On the other hand, an advanced user looking for information about advanced settings in the software will be fine with minimal descriptions and use of technical terms. Once you know where your audience is at concerning your topic, you will know how to proceed in explaining your point clearly.
            Writing reflects the author and serves to share that author's message. It also needs to address the audience and their needs. By answering the questions of who, what, and how; the author can find a perfect balance between the author's intentions and the audience's interests. These questions will guide you in deciding what information to share and how best to share it.

May's Feature Book: The Thread That Runs So True

            If you have been reading these literature posts, you might have noticed a trend by now. I will gladly admit I have a weakness for 19^th century British literature. This month I decided to be adventurous by reading an American classic from 1949 titled The Thread That Runs So True. This book is an autobiography by Jesse Stuart that focuses on his work in education in eastern Kentucky. Mr. Stuart was passionate about changing every child’s life through education. Through his book, he hoped to open America’s eyes to both the value of education and the struggles of the teachers trying to provide it.

            This is a book I’m glad I chose. Not only did it take me in a completely different direction in subject matter, but it also reminded me of how blessed I am. Recently, I was complaining that I wasted my time getting a degree. Mr. Stuart showed me that no education is a waste of time. With the complexities of this world, it is easy to forget how valuable some things are. Mr. Stuart's love for education comes through his writing and it’s infectious.

            Jesse Stuart never intended to make teaching his career, but life is good about throwing someone a curveball. In Mr. Stuart’s case, it was a good thing both for him and his county’s education system. He dedicated many years of his life to making sure all children had an opportunity to learn. Sometimes that meant teaching but at other times it meant going to court to fight the corruption of the county’s educational system. Kentucky wasn't always very welcoming of his help, and yet he continued to offer it. He believed that education was what would preserve their children's livelihood and freedom.

            Even though the focus of the book is Jesse Stuart’s experiences as a teacher, there are two other themes that I noticed while I read. The first is to stand up for what’s right. He wasn’t willing to just go with what was, accept people’s reasonings, or let someone else handle it. He knew what he was seeing was wrong and he did something about it. He armed himself with facts and he wouldn’t back down. Because of him, teachers and students had someone representing them and the problems they faced.

            The second theme is the benefits of hard work. Mr. Stuart worked for everything; he truly earned every success he had. His education took years to complete because he worked for it. He gave his all to every position he held. And he also passed on his work ethic to his students, even if they didn’t realize it. Impossible wasn’t a word in his vocabulary, and frankly, I find that admirable. Technology allows people to achieve things so much easier, and I’m not sure that is always a good thing.

            The Thread That Runs So True offered plenty of inspiration and thought for me, and I hope it will do the same for you. Jesse Stuart also devoted his life to writing along with education. He wrote many short stories and poems that you might also find enjoyable. What do you think of Jesse Stuart and his fight for education? Do you agree with his ideals and methods?

Use Your Punctuation: Semicolons

            At some point, you have probably been told—most likely by your mother— “Use your words!” That person knows that words are a huge part of communication. The different nuances of each word allow us to express ourselves very specifically. The same is true in writing, but words are not the whole story. You need to use your punctuation! We can do so much more if we go beyond the basic comma and period. To help you make better use of your punctuation, I would like to introduce you to my beloved punctuation mark: the semicolon.

            The semicolon is most easily described as a cross between a colon and a comma in both appearance and function. A semicolon, generally speaking, indicates a pause in a sentence that is more pronounced than a comma. Because of this, semicolons spend most of their time somewhere in the middle of a long or complex sentence. If you read classic literature, you are most likely very familiar with semicolon usage. Past authors made great use of semicolons. Some even used the punctuation mark to string clauses together so much that a single page could only fit a few sentences.

            You probably don’t want to use semicolons that much, but they can still improve your writing. There are three ways you can use semicolons in a sentence. The first is by placing a semicolon between two independent clauses. It can take the place of the comma next to the conjunction or both comma and conjunction. Semicolons tend to create a more pronounced pause than a comma which means they can stand alone without the conjunction if necessary.

Another way you can use semicolons is to reduce the confusion that comes with long lists that include many commas. If commas occur within the items of the list, semicolons can prove especially handy in separating the items instead of using commas. They also create that greater pause which can be useful when list items verge on the side of long phrases. The semicolon’s goal is to bring clarity to your writing.

A final way you can use the semicolon is in combination with adverbs to connect clauses. This is one usage I used to practice a lot until my college professors started to complain; therefore, I don’t do it as often anymore. The semicolon works when the adverb acts as a conjunction between the clauses. The structure is usually an adverb preceded by the semicolon and followed by a comma. If the adverb appears elsewhere within the clause, it only needs two commas. The exception is at the beginning of the sentence where an adverb would need one comma to follow it.

            Semicolons are an often-overlooked tool in an author’s toolbox. They can boost your writing by helping you to communicate with stronger pauses, fewer commas, and more complex sentence structure. Don’t let the idea of complexity scare you. The semicolon helps guide the reader and prevent confusion. Try using some semicolons in your writing and see how they can make you a more effective communicator.

Lessons from Self-editing a Novel

            I recently talked about completing my goal to write a novel. Now I have moved on to the editing stage. Because I am self-editing my novel, the experience has been very different from editing someone else’s writing. I’m sorry to say that I made several avoidable mistakes by not following my own advice. My mistakes have given me a new appreciation for why editors suggest certain habits.

            Every editor stresses the importance of a style guide, including me. It is difficult, if not impossible, to edit without a standard. I now understand that more than ever. I did start with a style guide when I began my project. Only, I made one serious mistake: I didn't update it. What I created at the beginning of my project, does not match what I am now trying to edit. I didn't take the time to write down changes to character names, settings, or spellings. Because I didn’t make those changes to my guide, I have to put in extra work trying to remember which is right. Authors, when an editor tells you to keep a style guide for your book, do it for your and your editor’s sanity! I deeply regret not doing so and have wasted extra time trying to correct everything.

            The second lesson I have learned while editing is to keep a timeline. I feel completely ridiculous for not doing so while I wrote. I know better after all! But here I am, trying to piece together a timeline to correct inconsistencies throughout my story. You can keep track of where your characters are, how the story is progressing, and how plausible events are by keeping a timeline. For instance, my main character goes on a trip. After I created a timeline for myself, I realized what was supposed to be a couple of days had enough scenes to fill a whole week. Something must go for the timeline to be plausible.

            A final lesson I have learned has given me more empathy for authors. Editors understand that it is hard for an author to let go of their words. Only I never realized how hard until it was my own words that needed to go. Your story may be excellent the way it is. But by being open to changing passages, you can make your work even better. As I’m learning to chop out sections that my inner editor knows don’t work, I’m discovering that it opens the window for better possibilities. Even though I’m only halfway done with the first round of edits, I already feel like I have a better story. The plot is completely altered, but it flows better. It doesn’t have as many holes in it and has more plausibility.

            I’m still very happy that I embarked on this literary adventure because not only have I grown as a writer, but now as an editor. While you are writing your story, keep in mind some of these lessons. They can make your writing better and your editor’s job easier. Keeping notes and making proper plans can save you a lot of time later in the process. It is also important to be open to new ways of telling your story because they might make it stronger.

Getting Creative with Language Conventions

            There are many, many books out there about grammar rules and what constitutes proper English. But have you ever considered where these rules came from? What we know as English today developed out of many changes over the years. The language is still changing today and the people who help create that change are those who are willing to question the conventions of language and writing. They are willing to bend the rules to make language better express what they want to say. Even if this sounds like English is doomed, stay with me. There are few rules more closely guarded than those of the English language. I’m not suggesting that one should completely disregard grammar rules like E. E. Cummings. What I am saying is that English is fluid. Words and their meanings change, sometimes daily. Why can’t we be creative with conventions to make language work better for us?

            If you are going to push the boundaries of language, moderation is key. You need to be strategic about what you change and how you do it. Basic grammar rules like subject-verb agreement and capitalization are best left alone so that readers don’t get lost. Spelling rules should also be left intact. Some things are better left alone. What I am talking about are the style choices that have room for individuality. For example, writers love commas. They are versatile and show up everywhere in text. I can appreciate a well-placed comma. I’m amongst the staunch defenders of the Oxford comma. But there is nothing like a semicolon. When I get the chance, I like replacing those commas with semicolons. It feels more definite and authoritative to me.

            These creative changes can make your writing unique and interesting. When practicing moderation, there are several things you can consider to help you plan a strategy. The first is timing. If your venture away from convention is ill-timed, it can distort the meaning of your text or frustrate readers. If you’re writing something to a client, you might want to think twice about straying from conventional type. Why risk losing a client if you don’t have to? On the other hand, a blog post might be an interesting place to insert something unconventional to keep readers’ attention and make your post memorable. If you’re writing a book, you might not want anything too wild because books have a long life span. You should think in terms of where your writing will be seen.

            The second thing you should consider when trying to moderate changes is your audience. The audience is critical for guiding your decision. Try to answer the following questions. How lenient will your audience be with the changes? Will they be able to understand what you’re doing? Think about whom you intend your work for and how your changes might be perceived. Nothing should reduce the accuracy or meaning of your writing. It also should not jolt readers out of their train of thought. If a reader gets frustrated or annoyed enough by something unconventional in your writing, they may stop reading all together.

           Have fun with your writing! It’s supposed to be creative and show your personality. As you play with the conventions of language, make sure you do it in moderation. The best way to decide what changes to make is by thinking about the timing of the change and who your audience is. When done right, your creative writing can delight readers and make you stand out from the rest.

April's Feature Book: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

            Victorian literature is as familiar to me as modern literature. I've been curious how early twentieth-century literature bridged the gap between then and modern works. This month I have done some exploring. I believe nearly everyone is familiar with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This children's book has long been on my must-read list. I heard that there were differences between the book and the 1930s Judy Garland movie, which came as no surprise. What movie hasn't made changes to its source? For this month, I decided to experience the world of Oz firsthand.

            The book read differently than most novels because, after all, it is a children's book. I especially liked the childlike reasoning in this one. It is very black and white. Right is right and most things boil down to common sense. What an average adult might overthink, the characters shrug off as a simple fact. Where an adult might not think twice, the book raises questions that can stop a reader in their tracks. Reading became interesting because my notions of things were turned upside down by the reasoning in the story.

            Another part I adore about children's books is the lack of limits on imagination. The suspense of belief is easier for children; it makes room for so many possibilities. Unique creatures, color, and magic filled the book and brought it to life. What makes it better is the little bit of reality mixed in. It blurs the lines between real and make-believe to the point that it feels possible when you read it.

            The moral of the story is simply making do with what you have. The four friends all had exactly what they wanted the whole time. They only needed to realize that and use it. Dorothy had the means to reach Kansas the whole time in the magical silver shoes she wore. The Scarecrow was brilliant, but never realized how smart he was. The Tin Woodsman had a big compassionate heart despite thinking he had none. The Cowardly Lion had great courage but allowed his fear to make him believe otherwise. There is nothing wrong with desiring something. But it is important to realize that what we have is valuable too. As with the book’s characters, it's simply untapped potential until we discover it.

            I've read that The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is symbolic and acts as an allegory. I'll admit, it had a little bit of an allegorical feel to it. If it is supposed to be symbolic though, I didn't catch any of the meanings. I would expect anything symbolic to be straightforward so that a child could see it. The story might very well be allegorical; but for me, it was simply a fun novel to read.

            So, I have to ask the age-old question. Do you think the book or the movie is better? What do you think of the changes the movie makes? Honestly, I like the book better because the plotline seems more straightforward and gives a more definite ending to each character’s story. At the same time, I like the contrast because I can see where the story was changed to better relate with the movie's 1930s audience. The point is the same and just as applicable no matter what year it is.

I Wrote a Novel

            The past week has been taken up by more pressing matters, so I hope you'll forgive me for not having an actual post this week. Instead of writing and editing tips, I'm including you in my celebration. If you’ve been reading some of my other posts, you know that I have been working on a novel project for the past nine months.  Ever since my 5^th-grade creative writing class, I have been developing ideas and trying to write stories. None have been successful—until now.

            This week I finally finished writing a rough draft for a novel. What started as merely a fun personal project, has turned into an exploration of writing. I know I'm not the greatest writer, but this experiment has taught me much and helped me improve. All those experts out there that say you should practice writing are correct. This project has been the best practice for me. Now I have just under 60,000 words down on paper and many lessons to apply to future writings.

            Don't think I'm going to let my project end just yet. What self-respecting editor would leave their writing unedited? I'm now looking forward to the next step of the writing process: editing. For me, the editing stage is so much more fun than writing. Writing is wide open with possibilities, a blank canvas. My mind doesn't appreciate so many options. I like having parameters to work with. Editing provides that because the words are already there. I can take what exists and shape it into something grand. 

           Writing taught me about developing characters, creating descriptions, wording dialogue, and so much more. I am certain that editing will be the same way. Even though it is a familiar territory, I never stop learning. Language evolves and so do the people who use it. There is no end to learning. Each project I take on teaches me something new about editing and how language works. In other words, be ready for some future posts about editing fiction.

Writing with Dialects and Accents in Fiction

            I have a weakness for westerns. I blame it on genetics since I have family members who enjoy westerns too. One part that I like about these novels is the language. It isn't overly grammatical or polished, but it's plain-speaking (or straight-shooting if you prefer that expression). Different elements can give writing a new personality and color. Dialects and accents in writing can bring a story to life. If done right, they can give characters an instantly recognizable identity and build a more imaginative setting. The key to doing them right is to make sure they are identifiable. A badly done accent will both be unrecognizable and bring down the quality of the writing. This week, I’ll give some tips about how to write a better accent and why including one might be beneficial to your story.

            Dialects and accents can be tricky for any author. To make them work well for your story, there are three points you need to be careful of. The first is legibility. The wording needs to be legible for the reader. Spelling and punctuation have some leeway when trying to recreate a certain accent, but it should not be sacrificed to the point that a reader cannot decipher what is being said. If it is coming out in a way that can be hard to read, you have several possibilities to consider. First, illegible words might be a sign that you’re trying too hard to create the accent. In this case, you might want to step back for a moment and rethink how you portray the language. On the other hand, dialects sometimes use words or pronunciations that are unusual and unknown to the average reader. In that case, you should consider including cues that help a reader understand what is being said.

            Another point you should be cautious of is consistency. This is a critical point. If you start with a certain dialect, you should be finishing with it. It is imperative that the dialect is consistent throughout the whole work and doesn't come in and out. The lack of consistency will detract both from your writing and your character's authenticity. Consistency also applies at a more minute level. Not only should the accent stay true throughout the work, but the qualities of it should be consistent. The same spellings and punctuations should be used every time. The easiest way to ensure this is to keep notes about the usages you have in your work. As an editor, I suggest you have a copy of those notes available to your editor. Your editor can then know what you intended and catch any variations in your writing.

            A final caution, and the most important one to take away from this, is accuracy. If you write consistently and legibly through your whole work, it will mean nothing if you portray the dialect or accent inaccurately. Do your research and make certain that you are writing the speech correctly. And I mean truly correct and not just stereotypes of accents. If you aren’t careful about accuracy, it will sound “off” to readers and potentially offend those who do speak with that dialect or accent. You wouldn’t like it if someone misrepresented you so be careful that you don’t do it to someone else.

            With that being said, I hope I didn’t completely scare you off from trying to write a dialect or accent because it does have benefits. One such benefit is the local color an accent can bring to your writing. It is, like I said earlier, instant identity. It is a creative way to carry one’s reader quickly to a certain time and place. It can also create a connection for the reader with the story. For those familiar with the accent, it can give them a sense of investment because it is something they know. I like reading books that include a Southern accent because it reminds me of my childhood. My favorite teacher was from West Virginia and I loved hearing her talk. That brings up a third benefit. Even if a dialect isn't personally known to the reader, it can be intriguing. There is something about a foreign accent or dialect that piques others' curiosity. Either way, it can grab readers’ attention and create a more vivid picture for them.

            The next time you decide to write, why not try adding a dialect or accent to your story? It can give your work a unique flare that draws in readers and creates a setting through speech. Just be careful that as you write you keep an eye on legibility, consistency, and accuracy. These three keys will help guide you as you try your hand at writing dialects and accents.

A Business Analyst's Guide to Editing

            Not all businesses hire editors to check their documents. Sometimes the editing gets pushed off onto a random employee. For that employee, the task of editing all those documents is no joke. In my non-traditional route to editing, I started with a business degree and worked as a contractor in a government agency. Over time, my tasks as a business analyst became more like those of an editor. I was completing research, developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading for the entire project team by the time my contract ended. If you happen to be that employee trying to act as the editor, the following tips are meant for you. I'll be sharing some editing lessons I learned as a BA and some things that I wish I had known back then.

            There is a difference between knowing something and explaining it. Sometimes an author can struggle to write down the ideas they have in mind. Or, the author may battle with wording that makes sense to the readers. In a government agency, documentation and transparency are of utmost importance. Project documents are vital to track the work being done and to explain it to others. Clarity, style, and grammar become key. Clarity should be a goal for every business. I found that documentation explained the processes, but still had problems. The trouble was that they would sometimes become too technical or assume too much about the audience. One needs to consider who might read the documentation and what they might use it for. These documents are not another objective to cross off one's list. They serve an actual purpose. When editing, think about who the audience is and try to approach the document from their point of view. If there is ambiguity, consider changing it. Vague meanings do no one any good.

            Style, when applied appropriately, works together with clarity. A style guide creates consistency. Before you get too deep into editing your company's documentation, find out if your company has a house style. If your company has a standard for writing, you don't want any documentation to stray from it. Variations ruin the voice and image your company is trying to create. Because I was a BA still figuring out the editing business, I didn’t know I needed to find a house style. I edited based on grammar rules I learned in school. I do not recommend this if you can avoid it. From a legal standpoint, the wording and punctuation placement could have created serious problems for the agency if I made a mistake. 

           If you have a house style, get a copy and edit according to that guide. If not, I suggest you either create your own with the approval of your manager or choose an existing style guide to follow. Industries often have a guide that they favor. Whether or not you create a guide, watch for trends in the documentation and keep a record to make sure everything stays consistent in grammar choices, spellings, and word usage. For instance, I worked on a public transit project. The buses were called coaches. I learned that there were several categories of coaches that each had a specific name. It is important to note these things because they have a meaning that is only known to a certain group that differs from the meaning that an average reader might attribute to it. These terms should either be used for the group they come from or have a proper explanation.

The third part to watch for when editing is grammar. I noticed that grammar was not a high priority for the IT employees who authored the documentation. There is nothing wrong with that, but the editor does need to be aware to catch the mistakes. The documents of a company are vital because they explain the processes of the company. They need to be accurate and part of that includes grammar. Tables and lists are common in project documents and mistakes congregate in them. Check them carefully for capitalization, parallelism, spelling, and labeling.

            Editing as a BA was a fun experience for me and probably the highlight of my career so far. Other folks may not be so quick to share my enthusiasm for editing. It doesn't have to be overwhelming though. Start with finding a style guide and build from there. It can make the process far less tedious when you know what to look for and how to correct it. As you edit, keep clarity and consistency in mind. It is your job to make sure that the documentation can effectively communicate to its audience without errors creating a barrier.

March's Feature Book: Emma

            Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors. That might be a cliché for female readers, but it’s the truth. How can you not like Austen? Her novels may be about Regency era ladies hoping to marry, but the books delve much deeper than that. It is hard to say which of Austen's works is the best, but I know that Emma would be towards the top of my list. Not only is the story intriguing but this novel also showcases how brilliant Austen was as an author. When news first reached me about the new movie EMMA., I was thrilled. I haven’t had a chance to see it yet, but I intend to someday soon. In the meantime, I’ve been having a nice visit with Miss Emma Woodhouse and the other residents of Highbury by rereading Austen's book.

            Emma would go to the top of my list partially because it offers many examples of Jane Austen's writing ability. It amazes me every time that she could take someone as unlikable as Miss Emma Woodhouse and turn her into the main character that readers love. It takes a deft hand to convince the average reader that prideful, meddlesome Miss Woodhouse is worth their interest and admiration. For me, the character becomes even better because she is awakened to her flaws and is willing to change. 

            Another feature that I enjoy in Jane Austen’s writings is the lack of dialogue. Compared to modern literature, the characters in Austen’s writings do very little talking. There are far more descriptions and narration than there are actual action and dialogue. Of course, Miss Bates is an exception to that rule. Despite this lack of actual action, so much happens in Emma to keep the reader engaged. Emma is supposed to be a three-volume novel, and each volume has its set of events that takes a reader for a long, adventurous journey.

            One cannot talk about Austen's abilities without mentioning her veiled wit. On the surface, Emma appears to be a story about Miss Woodhouse and the people around her. A second look might reveal something more. Beneath the plotline are pricks at society, jokes about culture, and a great deal of sarcasm. It comes through in all the novels including Emma, though I believe it is most blatant in Northanger Abbey. For Emma, one needn't look beyond the plot of the story. A young woman who appears like she has everything is soon revealed to have nothing in the way that it matters. The story alone provides plenty of social commentary.

            I’ve read Emma more times than I care to count, but this particular trip through Highbury provided me with a few observations. First, that nothing is as it seems. I'm well acquainted with the story now and can see the clues that something is coming. When I first read it, Jane Austen managed to catch me off guard several times. I think the best part is that Miss Woodhouse does not marry the man that seems like the best match for her. Similar personalities do not mean a perfect match. Miss Woodhouse certainly proves that point. Even though she marries a man that is her opposite, it does her good because he builds her up rather than leaving her the same.

            Another observation I made is the characters’ peculiarities. Mr. Woodhouse thinks everyone is in ill health like himself and mourns every marriage. Miss Bates talks for pages and jumps around with topics in a way that makes a reader's head spin. Mr. John Knightley is insightful and wise in his blunt sort of way. Mrs. Elton does a good job of stirring everyone into action even if I do find her annoying. Mr. Frank Churchill is so easygoing and can laugh off everything… or almost everything. Each character has something peculiar about them and together they make a lively little town that readers love to visit. I believe the reason for that is the little bit of reality that exists in those peculiarities. They remind people of life and the individuals they interact with. It highlights the poetic in what has become mundane.

           If anything, I think the main takeaway from Emma is that the surface is not the same as the inner depths. Miss Woodhouse is more than the front she puts on. Each character is more than what they seem. Even Miss Woodhouse learns that lesson as she realizes she can’t read what’s in everyone’s hearts. Nothing is as it seems so one has to be willing to take a second look. It might be worth following the example of other Highbury residents too. Life is short and uncertain. It is better if we support each other and offer each other proper respect. No one wants to be bogged down with regrets.

My 2020 Book Challenge: First Quarter

            In January, I wrote about a challenge I made for myself to see how many books I can read in one year. It has now been three months and seemed like a good time for checking progress. One of the best things a person can do for reaching a goal is setting up accountability. Therefore, I intend to circle back to this topic several times throughout the year. If your book challenge has gone anything like mine, you might have gotten several surprising revelations already.

            Of course, the question we all care about most is how much progress we’ve made. To date, I have managed to finish fourteen books. That is about a quarter of my goal which means I'm staying on track so far. More than that, keeping a record of the books I have been reading has brought several trends to my attention. First is the type of books I read. I'll openly admit that I adore romance novels. What surprised me was the sheer amount of romance I read. Ten of the fourteen books I've completed fall within that category. Another interesting discovery was that novellas make up a much greater percentage of my reading than I previously thought.

            Although I am continuing strong towards my goal for the end of the year, I've now developed several smaller goals for in the meantime. The reading habits that I've noticed so far have inspired me to make changes in how I read. The first goal is to read more. I'm thrilled that I'm staying on track, but I am a little disappointed to find that I read less than I thought I did. I've always had this sense of urgency when it comes to reading. There are so many books, and I don't want to waste time. Therefore, I want to make a more conscious effort to read something every day.

            I also wish to diversify my reading. As much as I love romance novels, I think some branching out is in order. There's no telling what I have missed because of my penchant for the one genre. Going forward, I want to try to read some other types of books that will broaden my horizons and possibly give me something to think about. Books might be about adventure in a different world, but they are also about sharing thoughts and ideas. I want to be challenged, and I want to have new ideas to mull over while I drink my tea.

            I’m sure the next three months will supply me with more to consider about my reading habits and give me plenty of opportunities to read more. Are you enjoying this book challenge? Have you also discovered reading habits or trends? It’s not too late to start your own challenge. You can make a goal for reading during spring, which just so happens to start tomorrow. It is interesting to me how one thing can lead to another. Originally, counting books was all I had in mind. It has now become an exploration as I find new ways to branch out and challenge the reader in me.

Triage Editing for College Papers

            I thought college wouldn't be too difficult because I had done so well in college prep courses. By the time I had completed my first week, I was starting to get a different picture. I'm sure many of you are very familiar with the panic of looming deadlines and mounting work. It takes a good deal of organization and time management to survive college. Even the best planners can sometimes get caught off guard. I remember several research papers that went largely ignored because of more immediate deadlines. Finally, I had to rush to complete all the work within a few days.

When you’re under pressure and short on time, mistakes are more likely to creep into your writing. It can be easy to forego editing for the sake of extra hours and making deadlines. Doing so can be a mistake because it exposes you to potentially losing points on your paper. It is possible to give quality work in a short timeframe with the help of triage editing.

            The idea behind triage editing is to get enough editing done to ensure that no big problems linger without taking up as much time. For a student, triage editing can be a time and grade saver. While it is important to plan out time for fully editing your work, triage editing makes it possible to turn in better quality papers in a time crunch. Triage editing is especially popular amongst journalists who often need to get stories published the same day. There are four major areas that you should focus on when triage editing a research paper. Each area will help you catch the most noticeable mistakes that might be lurking in your writing.

            Honestly, the best way to view triage editing is as damage control. The first step then is to assess the damage. Use both computer tools and your eyes to estimate how much editing your paper is going to need. Running a grammar and spelling checker can give you an initial idea followed by skimming the writing. As you skim for errors, listen to the flow of your words to make sure that the paper reads smoothly and clearly. Correct all mistakes as you see them. Then, you won't have to go back or risk being unable to find them again. However, don't just accept all the corrections the checkers want to make. Review each correction to ensure it is what you want and follows grammar rules.

            Once you've corrected grammar, spelling, and anything else that jumps out at you, it is best to move on to the big parts of your work. Always allot time to properly edit titles and headings. Take it from someone with experience. It is going to look bad to your professor if you manage to misspell your name on the title page of your paper. Check every heading for grammar usage, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Once you completely edit your research paper, I suggest you go back and check the headings one more time. By then, enough moments have passed that mistakes are more likely to stand out if you missed any the first time.

            The next place you should move your focus to is the extras. Extras include pictures, graphs, tables, charts, and indexes. If you have any of these in your paper, take the time to check them both for grammar and accuracy. These extras are supposed to add to your text. Any mistakes in them are not only going to defeat the purpose of their existence but possibly detract from your paper. Look at the labels, captions, page numbers, and data to ensure that everything is as it should be. If you reference any of your pictures or tables in your text, do a quick check to make sure that each reference guides the reader to the right spot.

            Finally, move on to your footnotes, endnotes, and citations. Every college student ought to know how critical reference citations can be. Colleges make sure that everyone is well-versed in what constitutes plagiarism and what the consequences will be. To avoid this troubling turn of events, devote some of your editing time to making sure that each reference is accurate, includes the necessary information, and directs readers to the correct location. Your sources are the backbone of your paper because you use them to back up your arguments. If citations are not correct, it not only creates plagiarism problems but also weakens your arguments.

           With that and a final skim to make sure all looks well; you should have a triage-edited and turn-in ready paper. It may not be as detailed as average editing, but it gets the job done. By focusing on the most important aspects of a paper and correcting the most costly mistakes, you can turn in a good quality paper despite a short deadline.

Grammar Tips for Grammar Day

            Today is officially Grammar Day. In celebration, I'm sharing some things writers should watch out for when self-editing. Written communication increases with every year because of social media posts, emails, and text messaging. We share a great deal of information every day through the written word. Knowing how to self-edit is invaluable. Editors and proofreaders know all too well what can happen when errors are left uncorrected. It can be as simple as being misunderstood or as complicated as landing in court. As you edit your work, keep these grammar tips and style suggestions in mind.

            The first tip for writers is to never, and I do mean never, rely on grammar and spelling checkers. Simply put, they don't catch every mistake and give bad grammar advice at times. They are meant to be tools, not editors. No one knows your writing style better than you. You know which words trip you up and which grammar rules make you pause. Always start there when checking your grammar and spelling. For instance, I know that when I type I tend to misspell environment. If that word comes up, I either check every instance of it for spelling or replace it with another word.

While checking your grammar, keep an eye out for capitalization and verb tense. These are two areas that can be tricky. Make sure that proper nouns, names, and items such as acronyms are all capitalized. On the other hand, check that common nouns like business analyst are lowercase. In business, I often see words capitalized that shouldn't be. Watch your verb choices to make sure they are all the same tense. It shouldn't flip flop between past and present unless you are actually speaking about the past and the present.

            The mechanics of grammar are important, but your writing style also plays a critical role. As you edit your work, be aware of consistency, clarity, and citations. Most people are not going to be checking the Chicago Manual when writing a tweet. I certainly don't blame them because in that context it isn't as important. What is important is choosing a way to write and sticking with it. Use the same punctuation, spellings, and tone throughout a single work so that it is cohesive. Being consistent in your choices prevents the reader’s flow from being disrupted. As soon as a reader gets thrown off by something in your writing, the reader is less likely to understand your point because their focus will be on that element that upset their train of thought.

Consistency does little good if your writing is not clear. Make sure what you’re writing can be understood by your intended audience. You can never please everyone, but it is good to strive for making your work accessible. To have clarity, pay attention to word choice and count. Think about a word's connotation. It needs to imply exactly what you mean. Concerning word count, don't use five words where two can complete the same job. However, don't take that advice and cut out all extra words. Sometimes those extras are what give writing personality.

            Finally, pay attention to citations. Always cite your sources. Nothing will get you into trouble more than not citing your source. When you do cite a source, be certain that you are providing the right information. Even if you don't follow a particular style guide, be careful that you supply enough information that a reader could easily track down your source and read it for themselves. If anything, check that all hyperlinks to your online sources work properly. The citation does little good if the hyperlink either doesn’t work or directs readers to the wrong page.

            There is plenty more that goes into editing, but not all writing needs the same amount of scrutiny. As you use different forms of written communication, these tips should help you catch some common mistakes and express yourself better. If you find yourself in over your head though, don't be afraid to ask for help from an editor. Editors are writers' cheerleaders and want to assist writers in presenting their best to the world. Happy Grammar Day, folks!

February's Feature Book: Little Women

            If you have been paying attention to popular culture or been to the theaters lately, you probably know about the newest version of Little Women. Discussions with my brother about this new version got me thinking a lot about both the book and the author’s intentions. My questions soon led to my rereading the book. I last read it in elementary school, though I never reached the ending, and have seen four of the movie adaptions. It seemed like the perfect time to renew my acquaintance with the March family. Little Women has been loved by many both in book form and its subsequent movie adaptions. I believe one reason everyone loves the March sisters is how relatable they are. One can usually find a reason to sympathize with at least one of the four girls.

            I thought I was simply reading a book, but it turns out I was in for a few revelations. Three aspects especially surprised me. Only, keep in mind with my following remarks that I have not seen the new movie and know nothing about its contents. The characters were one aspect that surprised me. Movies can be more limited than books and can’t tell a story in the same way. I was taken aback when I realized that the movies completely cut out several characters. My biggest shock was that Aunt March does not have a sole reign! In the book, she is joined by Aunt Carroll. Even more shocking are the additional Uncle Carroll and Cousin Flo. Amy's European tour completely changes with Aunt March's absence. There is also Esther, a maid at Plumfield who makes more than a small impression on Amy. My memory might be fuzzy, but I do not recall Fred Vaughn from any movies. I think it would be worth mentioning that Amy had a marriage proposal before Laurie.

            On top of these unexpected revelations, I was also astounded by how different some of the known characters are in the book. Jo March may not be conventional, but she knows her limits. She might shock people, but she never goes so far as to scandalize. I feel like many movie adaptions give Jo a decidedly feminist ideology, but I saw no hint of that in the book. Granted, Jo gets upset with conventions. It strikes me more as her being annoyed with anything that goes against her blunt mannerisms than some type of ideal though. The only reason I can fathom for that feminist tone in the movies is others projecting Louisa May Alcott's feminist thoughts onto Jo March.

Amy also threw me through a loop. She is the one that many people love to hate. I didn't get that impression with the book. Yes, she could be a selfish and petty when she was a child. But she grew up to be a very sweet woman and to be a good sister to Jo. Jo even says that she thought Laurie and Amy should marry because they’re a perfect match. There was no animosity, hurt, or regret between Jo and Amy over Laurie. I was also happy to see more than a brief mention of Mr. March. Movies seem to relegate Mr. March to the background, but he is much more active in the book. He appears over and again to teach the girls, give them spiritual advice, and spend time with their growing families.

            Another aspect that surprised me was the events in the book. Of course, I know that movies always cut out scenes. I just never realized how altered Little Women has become. These events that I wasn’t familiar with added so much depth to the characters and their stories. It gave me a better understanding of them and how they approached the difficulties of life. For instance, Amy participates in a fair and has a falling out with the hostess and her daughter. How Amy and the March family handle it gives the first real insight into how much Amy has changed. The reader gets a glimpse into how much depth her character has developed over the years. Another scene I was not familiar with was Jo and Beth going to the seaside. Being able to see how Beth was handling her failing health and lingering worries made me not only love her more but also admire Jo with her reaction.

            The final aspect that I was not expecting but truly enjoyed was the moral tone. Every chapter had a lesson. Summed together, they become a book about the two important parts of life: love and faith. The family stays together and loves each other through everything. They guide each other through life with the basis of faith and choosing the higher road. The March sisters try hard to emulate Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress and each benefit from it. I feel like the book might stress striving for perfection a little too much, but I know that for the period it was a common outlook in religion. Besides, the main point is that the March family learned what was important in life. They were rich because they had each other, their faith, and the godly love that they shared with everyone.

            Overall, I found the book so delightful that I’ve already begun to read Little Men with the intention of continuing through Jo’s Boys. I want to follow the March family through the entire trilogy. I love how sweet Meg's daughter Daisy is because she reminds me of Beth. Demi, Meg’s son, appears to be a mixture of the March sisters because he is both impressively smart and a little mischievous. The books have changed my opinion of the March sisters and made me appreciate their role in popular culture even more.

            Every generation seems to have been affected in some way by the March sisters. They’ve left an impression on me about growing up and how much family influences a person. I’ve also concluded that I love the book the best. The movie adaptions are good, but it is hard to top the original. No matter one's opinion, everyone will likely agree that Little Women will continue to influence many generations to follow. Just the same, I wouldn’t mind hearing your opinion. Which sister is your favorite? Or the real trick question: Which movie adaption is the best?

Using "Who" and "Whom"

            Every day brings new examples of English's fluidity. Sometimes the change comes swiftly. Other changes take many years and face much resistance. One change that has been slowly coming is the usage of who and whom. One side declares that whom is dead and that only who should be used. The other side stubbornly insists that whom is still relevant enough to be used in modern English. The question is which side is in the right. Which word should one use in their writing and speech?

            Before we can make a certain decision about these two words, we need to do some research. It is important to understand how to use the words and what their purpose has been in the past. Both who and whom are pronouns but serve slightly different purposes. Who completes several different jobs, but as a pronoun it acts as the subject. As a slight variation, whom is an objective pronoun meaning that who becomes whom when it acts as an object in a sentence. For example, you can say “I asked my friend who gave him the gift.” In this case, who is the subject of the clause "who gave him the gift." However, you can also say "To whom did you give the gift?" Whom is the object in the phrase “to whom.”

            Both who and whom have existed in English since before the 12^th century according to Merriam-Webster[1]. They have also seen relatively little change in their meaning. The spelling has gone through a transformation as the language moved into Middle and then Modern English[2]. If anything, these two pronouns have proven a great tenacity. As was the case for many words, grammarians of the 18^th century had much to say about their usage. The grammarians of the following century declared that whom was dying out. Unlike with other words, English-speakers largely ignored these grammarians and continued to use both words as they always have.

            That brings us back to our original question. Which word is the correct one to use? The experts of today see it in two ways. One side says that whom is a valid word but is tricky to use. Thanks to the aforementioned grammarians, many English speakers are out of practice concerning the correct way to use it. Therefore, people either avoid the word at all costs or use it everywhere. If one can learn to use the two words in the right context, there is no problem with them.

            However, other experts say that it shouldn't matter. Because people don't understand how to use it, the word should be allowed to die. They believe that who can easily replace its counterpart and clear up the confusion once and for all. Besides, these experts say that whom is pretentious and gives the wrong tone in most forms of writing and speech today.

            Who should we listen to? I honestly believe that it is a matter of personal choice. If you like having separate words, you should use them. Only be careful that you are using them correctly. You'll be doing yourself no favors if you continually use whom in the wrong context. You should also consider tone. Sometimes, whom might be correct but causes a sentence to sound clunky because it doesn't match the tone of the surrounding text. If you're of the party that wishes whom would disappear, using who is perfectly fine. That is part of the beauty of the English language. It is fluid and gives much leeway towards a person’s style and personality.

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[1] Merriam-Webster, s.v. “whom,” accessed February 9, 2020, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whom.

[2] Ibid.

Descriptions in Fiction

            Over the last six months, I have learned much from fiction writing. This novel-writing attempt looks like it might be successful. I now have just over 10,000 words. Previously, I talked about what I was learning as I sketched a cast of characters. I am now several scenes into my story and am realizing that there is much to learn about other types of descriptions.

            Describing action is one type that can be difficult. I can think about a scene and see it unfold in my head. It is another matter to put what I am picturing down on paper. I want to describe the action so that the reader can see what I am seeing and be able to enjoy the story. I can say that a character is speaking. But how is he talking? What is his facial expression? His body language? It can completely change the meaning of his words based on what he's doing. For me, the difficulty is capturing every detail I see in my mind. However, I am learning that details are especially important with one of my supporting characters. If I only put down her words without anything else, she doesn't come across as the kindest person. I need her facial expressions, her tone of voice, and her hand gestures to show that she means no harm by her words. She is simply passionate and extroverted.

            Another form of description that I have been wrestling with is the characters' environment. I might be able to see exactly where the characters are and what is going on around them, but the readers can't unless I tell them. I tend to focus on the dialogue when I am writing and forget about the surroundings. The setting is imperative because it affects the characters and what they are doing. For instance, in my opening scene, the main character is annoyed with the crowds around him and what he considers childish behavior. That is only going to make so much sense unless I make it clear that the opening scene occurs at a masquerade ball.

            The main question I have struggled with as I write these descriptions is what counts as enough. Too much description will bog down my story and bore readers. Not enough will make the story vague and confuse readers. How do I find an equilibrium in description writing? As usual, I turn to published authors to discover an answer. Some books like Thomas Hardy's are so filled with descriptions that it can feel like a chore to read the book. The descriptions do make a very detailed and vivid picture but require effort on the reader's part. On the other hand, I've read some books that are so sparse on descriptions that I constantly find myself thinking, "Wait! What? Where did that come from? Has that always been there?"

            Based on the books I have read and studied, I think that going with descriptions through the eyes of the characters is the best way. Allow the reader to see whatever the character sees but not that much more. By doing so, I feel like I’m including what is critical to the character's story without adding in a lot of trivial details that mean nothing to what the character is doing. I imagine at some point I will reach a part where I’ll need to describe something that doesn’t seem important at first, but I’ll make those decisions when I get to them. Time will tell how my descriptions will fare, but I’m hoping I have found a good amount that makes the story come alive for more people than just me.

            In addition to thinking about things through the character's eyes, I have also picked up a few other tricks to help. First, pictures are a lifesaver. Even if I can imagine what a scene or character looks like, a picture can be beneficial. I can study that picture and pick out which details are important enough to include. Going by mental images might not allow the same amount of accurate details. Accuracy is another point. A picture that I can save helps me stay consistent as I return to certain scenes.

            Another thing I find works well is talking. Describing something out loud helps me figure out what works and where I might have holes in my descriptions. Talking it out forces me to fully explain what I can easily gloss over in my head. As I talk, I sometimes compare it with examples from reality to consider what might make it more believable and clearer to the reader. I suppose one could describe scenes to another person who can ask questions, but I have yet to get that brave.

            As your writing descriptions for your fictional story, I hope some of my discoveries will help you out. If you have any tips for writing excellent descriptions, please mention them in the comments. I’m always ready to try out new ideas. Whether this novel experiment works out or not, I have learned a great deal about writing because of it. Writing is a completely different thing from editing. If I didn’t believe that before, I certainly do now. I’m developing a healthy appreciation for the patience, talent, and effort that authors put into their stories.