Monday, June 15, 2009

From my shelf



A year or so ago, I took an editing course with Kathy Ide, the founder and coordinator of The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network. I'd never heard of The Chicago Manual of Style or the fact that editing houses used certain grammar, punctuation, usage and spelling rules.




If I can recommend one book to buy that will clean up your writing so when you submit you might look a tad more professional, I'd tell you to buy Kathy's book, Polishing the "PUGS."




It's a mini version of the huge CMS.




I constantly refer to it but sometimes not enough as my critique friends can attest to.




Excerpt: Capitalization


Family Relationships, "Kinship names"(father, brother, aunt, cousin, etc.) are lowercase when used generically or when preceded by a modifier. EX.: my dad


When used in place of the name, kinship names are capitalized. Ex. "Hey, Dad, are we going fishing today?"


Terms of Endearment: Terms of affection (honey, dear, sweetheart) are always lowercase.


Terms of Respect: Honorific titles are capitalized. But general terms of respect are not. Ex. His/Her/Your majesty
my lord
sir
ma'am








Some basic information but I know once I read this compact book--it made a difference. She lays out the rules simply and easily. No wading through a hard grammar book.




So if you want a good clean-up-- I highly recommend this one take a place on your shelf!




15 comments:

Barb Davis said...

Thanks for the great recommendations!

Jan Cline said...

Thanks for the tip...I just ordered it. I could really use the help.

Eileen Astels Watson said...

I have this one, but must read through it yet. Thanks for reminding me.

Great Grandma Lin said...

helpful ideas, I'll use your recommendations in my next local writer's newsletter. thanks a bunch!

Jody Hedlund said...

Great suggestion! Thank you!

Yolanda said...

I will more than likely try to purchase this book, thank you so much!

Ginny said...

I will go this week and see if I can get it. Thanks.

Kathleen said...

What a gem you are to share your tried & true resources. No wonder the writers flock to this site ... a virtual goldmine.

Be blessed,
Kathleen

Andrea said...

Thanks for the book reccomendation.
andrea

KelliGirl said...

I have to check this out. Thanks!

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Okay, I'm laughing and I know you know why! You are too much fun!
~ Wendy

Unknown said...

Thanks Terri...that does look like a good one!

Mary L. Briggs said...

Thank you, Terri~you answered a question I had asked on my blog! I always love getting recommendations from other writers. I'm trying to build up a good library of writing books.

Vickie said...

Sounds like a great book Terri. I'll definitely take note of it and check it out sometime later.

Vickie

Kristen Painter said...

I thought I was a fairly clean writer, but I'm learning a lot as I go through edits.