Insecure Writers Want to Know
Oh, English class. I love English grammar. Diagramming sentences. Parts of speech. Conjugating verbs. Introductory phrases. Dependent clauses. I know, I know. I’m that irritating geek in every English class. The one who could spout the grammar rules.
But…
When it comes to creative writing, the grammar rule that hampers me the most is: No fragments in writing. Ever!
Oops! These are fragments, or rather comments or thoughts, if we get down to it. I know what a complete sentence is. I know the four types of sentences: Simple. Compound. Complex. Compound-complex.
Yet, I always pause when submitting a story or essay to a market, thinking the editor will reject the piece because I didn’t write in complete sentences. The editor would think I don’t know how to write or know English grammar.
Yes, but who writes thoughts in complete sentences? When we are in the thick of the action in our exciting stories, fighting battles, running for our lives, or trying to rescue our cousin from a raging river, who writes in complete sentences? Then there’s dialogue. Who speaks in complete sentences? In reality or on the page? No one I know.
So I try to rein in my “writing-in-perfect-sentences” brain. Throw that perfect English critic into the cupboard and shut the door. I even stick a wooden spoon through the handles so it can’t get out while I submit pieces for publication.
And speaking about publication, my latest Business Insider essay about how to keep track of your kids at Disney World has been published. You can read it here. https://www.businessinsider.com/tips-keep-children-safe-disney-world-2024-8
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This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. I’d like to thank our co-hosts for September: Beth Camp, Jean Davis, Yvonne Ventresca, and PJ Colando! Please visit them if you can.
Our group posts on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
That’s cool about the essay.
That one messes me up as well. Complete sentences are out the window with creative writing though.
Thank you, Alex. Always using complete sentences make creative writing boring. Thanks for your note here at Adventures in Writing. Have a great day!
I mean, you should write in complete sentences for an academic essay but creative writing, you have to go with the flow. And what about poetry? Anything goes there. But it’s important to know the rules, so you know how to break them.
So true, Nick. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here at Adventures in Writing. Have a beautiful day!
Congrats on your essay getting published. Yes, incomplete sentences was a n0-no in school.
Yes they were, Natalie. Thanks for your good wishes. I truly appreciate them. It’s always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Have a beautiful day!
Love that line–“I even stick a wooden spoon through the handles so it can’t get out” How to keep track of kids at Disney World. I haven’t clicked through yet–a leash? I used to get rude looks but it works!
Thank you for your kind words, Jacqui. They are truly appreciated. Everyone in the house knows to leave my wooden spoon alone—in case I need it for the “perfect English critic.”
Leashes are a good idea to keep track of your kids. Never thought of them. But 5 leashes? I used something else. All best to you!
Congrats on your published article!
Ronel visiting for IWSG day Adventures in Audio: Recording and Publishing a Podcast
Thanks, Ronel! Truly appreciate your good wishes. Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing. Have a beautiful day!
Gotta love sentence fragments, 🙂
Congrats on the essay!
Absolutely, Yvonne! Thanks so much for your note here at Adventures in Writing. Have a beautiful week!
I also love English grammar. Subordinate and Co-ordinate Clauses? Yes! Dependent/Independent Clauses? Yes!
Parts of speech? My favourite! They hold a special place in my “language heart”.
Sentence fragments are beautiful… they can add amazing atmosphere and rhythm when sprinkled amongst the “perfect” sentences.
Congrats on the published article, Victoria! That’s awesome!
Enjoy the rest of your month, Victoria!
Thank you for your kind words, Michelle. They are appreciated. Yes! I love all the parts of speech, too. Fragments can be powerful to add “atmosphere and rhythm” to story and creative writing.
Have a beautiful Sunday!