Grammar. Punctuation. Spelling.
Do these three words mean anything to you? On a scale of 1 to 10, how important are they?
Have you ever thought, or heard, the following?
I can fix the grammar; it's the content that matters. (I've heard this refrain from many unpublished authors.)
Okay, okay, I'll admit grammar can be fixed, but I'd love to know if it actually
does get fixed. Or, to put it another way, do writers even know when they're using poor grammar, incorrect spelling, or punctuation that defeats the meaning of the sentence? If you can fix the grammar, why write it wrong in the first place? Wouldn't you have written it correctly the first time?
I get the impression that many writers feel grammar is the least important part of the book. Writing, at the most basic level, is the act of stringing words together; grammar rules enable the words to mean what the writer intends.
Least important part of writing? I don't think so.
Grammar, punctuation, and spelling do matter. Spelling is the easiest to fix; spell-check and the dictionary rarely lie. Punctuation and grammar pose a trickier problem. It can be confusing to know where to put a comma, and not everyone agrees on the correct placement. A few good reference books will steer you in the right direction.
When someone reads your work, they form a first impression of you by your writing skills. They may get so distracted by the lack of commas, the incorrectly spelled words, and the dangling modifiers that they can't comprehend the content. They'll begin to think you're uneducated. You may be a genius, but they won't recognize it, and no, they won't be impressed.
Here's a simple mathematical formula: grammatical errors=unprofessional; polished writing=professional.
Grammar rules help your writing. Ignoring them will not help you get published. Even if you think you're the master of grammar, consider asking a writer friend (preferably one with strong grammar skills) to check a few pages of your work for errors. We tend to make the same mistakes over and over. An outside eye will pick up any problems, and you can apply the knowledge to the rest of your work. Another good idea is to review a grammar book every six months.
One more note on the topic: make a conscious effort to always write with correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling--even in your rough drafts. You'll save time, improve your skills, and gain confidence. Grammar matters.
Where do you fit in? Do you write with little or no punctuation in your first draft? Do you fix the problems later? Or do you write as polished as possible at all times?
Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss flexibility (or what I like to call Yoga Plotting).
And...
Get Motivated! It's Monday!
