What was that rule again?
I’m not finished my first draft yet (still writing it – yes, in longhand – feel free to chortle at will), but I just reached the 2/3 mark. I know the time is fast approaching when I’ll need to key everything into Word, which begs the question: what will I do about those pesky grammar questions?
For example: sometimes I write “two o’clock in the afternoon,” sometimes “2:00pm,” and sometimes “2pm.” Which is correct? “Toward” vs “towards” gives me fits, as does “into” vs “in to.” And punctuation within a phrase (when a character thinks something to him- or herself)? Don’t get me started.
It’s all quite humbling. I pride myself on good grammar and excellent spelling. (It makes me crazy when I see “affect” and “effect” confused in a presentation at work.) But with a 300-page manuscript, there are ample opportunities for mistakes. Mistakes that could make my final book look unprofessional at best and downright sloppy at worst.
But I won’t be doing it alone, that’s one comfort. Thank God for my eagle-eyed copy editor!
Well dear,
The first thought that comes to mind is “I know!!!” I can’t tell you how many times I have crossed out “2:00 pm” just to write in “two o’clock in the afternoon”. Blah!!
A good editor is almost as hard to find as a good man, but I say that you won on both counts!
Keep going! You are doing great!
Shannon