We cannot rely on our teachers to have taught us everything we need to know about commas or grammar. As writers, it is our responsibility to seek out knowledge that will improve our writing. As I’m reading the stories posted on WattPad, the biggest flaw I’m seeing throughout is a lack of attention to grammar usage. WattPadians, generally speaking, are great storytellers (from what I’ve seen) but those stories will not get published if they aren’t cleaned up.
My biggest suggestion is to read “Grammar Girl’s Quick & Dirty Tips.” It is a fun way to learn and improve your grammar, and a good reference. When I post comments on stories with many grammar mistakes, I suggest picking up this book. I am not a copyeditor, so going line by line and listing out everything that needs to be fixed is tedious. But, if I could give a few pointers based on what I’ve seen they would be these:
1. Use a comma, NOT a period, in dialogue tags. This is what I’m seeing in most of the WattPad works I read:
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Teresa said.
If we as writers would simply open a book by a published author we love (in our own country because grammar rules differ among nations with the same language) and study the structure of their sentences, we would know the above sentence is wrong. It should read:
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Teresa said.
Do you see the difference? When using a dialogue tag, use a comma. However, if you are using an action tag (see the chapter on dialogue), a period is needed:
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Teresa slammed the door.
Improper use of commas in dialogue is by far the biggest grammar mistake I’ve seen throughout WattPad works. I would say 90% of what I’ve read does not use commas properly in dialogue. And I’m talking about writers that have incredible stories with thousands upon thousands of reads. The problem is, if they ever want to get published, they need to clean up their grammar.
Here are a couple additional tips, but please read Grammar Girl’s book if you are serious about improving your craft and possibly getting published.
2. The comma before the “and.” This is a personal pet peeve of mine. Technically both of the follow are correct:
Charlie went to the store to pick up milk, butter, and sugar.
Charlie went to the store to pick up milk, butter and sugar.
However, whether they should be used depends on the style guide of the publisher you are submitting to. Most U.S. publishers use the Chicago Manual Style guide, which sides with the first example. I side with it too. Whenever I see the last comma left off it drives me up the wall. (I’m a bit anal when it comes to commas). Why? Because of sentences like this:
I went to visit Laura, a beautician and a cardiologist.
Is Laura a beautician and a cardiologist (interesting mix)? Or did I visit three separate people: Laura, the beautician, and the cardiologist? The lack of an additional comma in this case causes confusion. Here’s another example for all of you who are going to be published and get to write dedications in the forward of your book:
I’d like to thank my parents, Mrs. Jenkins and God.
So are your parents, Mrs. Jenkins and God? Or are you thanking four separate people: Mom, Dad, Mrs. Jenkins, and God? See the confusion?
Moral of the story, use the comma. Better to have enough commas and no confusion than too few commas and replace your parents with your fourth grade teacher and God. (I get God is our Father in heaven, but the dad down here deserves a thank you too).
3. Adjective Commas. An adjective describes a noun. When you use more than one adjective to describe one noun, and you do not use “and,” a comma is needed. For example:
His firm, strong hand grasped mine.
Both firm and strong describe his hand. The sentence could be written:
His firm and strong hand grasped mine.
If you have two adjectives together that describe one noun, and you can place “and” between them and the sentence still makes sense, use a comma.
My husband is a fiercely loyal man.
Her we have two adjectives but “fiercely” modifies “loyal.” Only “loyal” is modifying the noun, “man.” If we place “and” between them, it would change the meaning of the sentence:
My husband is a fiercely and loyal man.
First off “fiercely” does not make sense here, we would use “fierce.” Aside from that, this sentence is not saying that his loyalty is fierce, but that he is. The meaning of the sentence totally changes. See the difference?
Okay, so those are three basic rules to get you started. The rest is up to you. Seek out knowledge to improve your craft. Grab a copy of Grammar Girl’s book. Keep reading these chapters if they are helping you. Don’t settle for the information your teachers bring to you, go out there and seek it.
If you seek, you will find.
Many blessings & happy writing!
>As always, if you have any questions/suggestions please let me know in the comments section. And, if you like this chapter, vote!
P.S. – I am not perfect in grammar or spelling or anything. If you see I’ve made a mistake somewhere, please call me out.
