tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3858640151411914449.post1463517811494056584..comments2024-03-28T00:28:33.356-07:00Comments on Perfecting the Craft: Abused and OverusedMichelle Merrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00040685503147648297noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3858640151411914449.post-85874315314624324512011-05-27T06:59:57.015-07:002011-05-27T06:59:57.015-07:00I have too many ellipses (or ellipse?) in my WIP. ...I have too many ellipses (or ellipse?) in my WIP. My friend made me a Tshirt with three dots on it. It's hilarious. Seriously, I should probably figure out why my characters can't finish any of their thoughts.KM Nallehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06714392426676743868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3858640151411914449.post-85025336452349440772011-05-26T08:57:31.308-07:002011-05-26T08:57:31.308-07:00Parentheses bother me in fiction. When I see them,...Parentheses bother me in fiction. When I see them, I think of research papers or essays. Maybe that's just me.Heather Hellmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09181976810034907941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3858640151411914449.post-71325067306607083942011-05-26T07:59:25.502-07:002011-05-26T07:59:25.502-07:00Oh yes, dashes and ellipses. I fling them about li...Oh yes, dashes and ellipses. I fling them about like confetti in first drafts. And I tend to use too many commas. That's what editing is for, right? :)Shalleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09907680428735740943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3858640151411914449.post-59868728088090250332011-05-26T04:17:34.923-07:002011-05-26T04:17:34.923-07:00The worst is when you see these in a published boo...The worst is when you see these in a published book. I recently read a book (NY Times bestseller) and the author was obsessed with similes. Everytime she described the city skyline I knew there was going to be some line about how the 'buildings stabbed the sky like daggers' or similar. Drove me nuts!Sari Webbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14157780034728554529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3858640151411914449.post-55582291766358043942011-05-25T20:45:54.286-07:002011-05-25T20:45:54.286-07:00Big fan of the em dash, here. Sometimes, it's ...Big fan of the em dash, here. Sometimes, it's not that the comma is too weak, but rather too prevalent-- if you tend to write rather involved sentences, which I do. Ahem. <br /><br />As for ellipses ...Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908805179119217608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3858640151411914449.post-34109448978501230052011-05-25T03:15:56.408-07:002011-05-25T03:15:56.408-07:00Yes, the adjective debate. LOL. I'm taking a c...Yes, the adjective debate. LOL. I'm taking a class and after being beaten down about not using adverbs my instructors like. Just use a blasted adverb. That's one word not four to say the same thing. LOL. Just remember all rules mean sparingly not at all. :) Of course, I've always had a problem with taking things to the extreme. :) Great Post, Michelle!Ciarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15628488753277495111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3858640151411914449.post-2209709932638182052011-05-24T12:36:59.400-07:002011-05-24T12:36:59.400-07:00yeah, the ellipses problem tends to jump up in my ...yeah, the ellipses problem tends to jump up in my writing. Hubs has a cow and goes circle-crazy when he reads my MSs. But he doesn't read YA, so I figure if I take out at least HALF of the ellipses that drive him nuts, I'm good. LOL!!!<br /><br />This is a great list. Thanks, Michelle! <3LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3858640151411914449.post-76242393964863291742011-05-24T11:15:34.144-07:002011-05-24T11:15:34.144-07:00Wait, there's something wrong with ellipses......Wait, there's something wrong with ellipses... Crap!Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3858640151411914449.post-72983397337343699702011-05-24T07:38:01.676-07:002011-05-24T07:38:01.676-07:00Great post, Michelle. Thanks for breaking everythi...Great post, Michelle. Thanks for breaking everything down. I do overuse some of those things, but I'm learning to avoid them! :)Chantele Sedgwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07920913211842919013noreply@blogger.com