Melissa Maygrove

I'm a stickler for grammar when it comes to writing, but I've also learned along the way that fiction writing is different from other types of writing. It follows different rules. Some of those rules are fairly fixed while others are apparently subjective. In dialogue, we are allowed to make PUGS errors if it fits the character and the needs of the line. (PUGS = Punctuation, Usage, Grammar, Spelling) Some authors (I'm guilty of this one) use comma+then rather than comma+and then or semicolon+then, because it just sounds better sometimes. In the narrative, we can include things like short sentence fragments if they don't stumble the reader. In fact, I think they're great if used well. So, my question to you is: When is a mistake not a mistake? What stumbles you in fiction, and which mistakes can actually make the writing better?

Today I'm excited to introduce Christian fiction author Noelle Marchand who's joining us with a guest post on POV. Noelle is a member of both the RWA and ACFW . She won national and state awards for journalism as a student and sold three books before graduating from college (this month). Noelle is represented by Karen Ball of the Steve Laube Agency. Here's Noelle... Point of View: From Ordinary to Extraordinary The Basics It doesn’t take long to figure out the basic principles of POV. A simple internet search will yield a treasure trove of information. If you’re going to write for the Christian romance market like I do, it becomes even easier because most publishers prefer third-person limited. That’s a fancy way of saying they expect you to write in past tense, use internal dialogue, and construct the book’s universe only from what the hero and heroine (and perhaps a villain) are aware of through their memory, senses, or learned information throughout the story. If yo...

Due to a minor scheduling snafu (which was my fault entirely *blush*), the next installment in the You Are Here tour is being posted a day early so that author and friend Carrie Butler can make a guest appearance on the blog tomorrow. But, hey. It's a 2-for-1 this week, so that's good for you. To see a list of upcoming guests and topics, go to: Upcoming Guests & Events . (This link can also be found under 'Page Index' on the right hand side of the blog.) Now for Wednesday's post... The next topic on the tour deals with fiction writing skills that are not as obvious or basic as some, but ones that are important if you want your writing to be the best it can be. You may not be ready to incorporate these yet, but it won't hurt to familiarize yourself with the concepts my next article touches on. This way, when you get critiques from more experienced writers, you'll at least be prepared...and you won't think they're writing snobs. ; ) Please ...

You’re a writer. It’s just something one knows. I mean, the drive is unmistakable. It wakes you up in the night and makes you forgo sleep to get that scene down just right before the inspiration leaves—and leaves you wishing you’d struck while the iron was hot...those bursts of genius so incredible that—try as they might—your feverishly-typing hands can’t possibly keep up with your brain. You know what I’m talking about. You’re probably sitting there nodding your head and smiling one of those conspiratorial, smug smiles. But where are you in your writing journey? Anyone with a reasonable command of the language can write. The question is: are you writing something others will actually want to read? In the spirit of ‘paying it forward,’ I’ve decided to dedicate my first few blog posts to helping beginning writers find their way. If you’re relatively new to the game, you’ll likely find something here—hopefully a lot of things—to help you make the transition from scoff-worthy beginner to ...