April 25, 2008
Punctuation Tips
Comma Splices, Fuses, and
FANBOYS!
Just when I think, “I’ve got it!” I punctuate it incorrectly. Usually, it’s because of that dreaded, sneaky, and misleading piece of punctuation—the comma. How can anything so miniscule be so problematic?
What’s the purpose of punctuation, anyway?
Perhaps like me, you have questioned the purpose of punctuation when deep in the process of revising your work in progress (WIP). You may have even asked, “Outside of an occasional comma or period to alert readers to slow down and catch their breath, what’s the point?” It’s a good question really, and one we will tackle in this column.
For a moment, imagine that visitors from a foreign country will stay in your home for the weekend. Naturally, you will be sure to place clean towels, soap, and perhaps new toothbrushes in the bathroom. To avoid confusion, you’ll likely advise them of planned activities and meal times, and even alert them to the alarm system—just in case they decide to take a late night stroll. In the end, you’ll do your best to ensure that your guests enjoy their visit to your home.
Punctuation also helps avoid confusion. Think of punctuation as using “company manners.” With punctuation, your goal is to guide your readers through your literary world; thereby avoiding confusion and misunderstanding.
What are some mistaken beliefs about comma usage?
1. “Pause for breath, use a comma”
Over punctuation typically occurs by the writer taught, “pause for breath, use a comma”. But, writers soon realize that pausing for breath won’t help them meet the challenges they face when developing their writing skills.
Here’s an example of overuse of the comma:
Wrong: Recently, my ninth-grade daughter, shared her English teacher’s advice, about comma placement, “Don’t sweat it, Mom. Just place a comma, where you need to pause, for breath, or break up a long, sentence.”
Right: Recently, my ninth-grade daughter shared her English teacher’s advice about comma placement, “Don’t sweat it, Mom. Just place a comma where you need to pause for breath or break up a long sentence.”
Correct over-punctuation by becoming familiar with some simple punctuation rules, rather than relying on inadequate methods.
2. Run-on (fused) sentences
Run-on sentences occur when two or more complete sentences are fused together without punctuation. Correct run-on sentences using semi-colons, periods, or a comma with FANBOYS.
Wrong: “Old habit of mind is one of the toughest things to get away from in the world it transmits itself like physical form and feature…”
Right: “Old habit of mind is one of the toughest things to get away from in the world. It transmits itself like physical form and feature…” (Mark Twain)
3. Comma splices
Comma splices occur when two complete sentences are linked together, inadequately, with only a comma.
Wrong: “Old habit of mind is one of the toughest things to get away from in the world, it transmits itself like physical form and feature…”
Right: “Old habit of mind is one of the toughest things to get away from in the world; it transmits itself like physical form and feature. . .” (Mark Twain)
Can these common mistakes be easily fixed?
Yes, definitely. There are three ways to correct comma splices and run-on sentences: semi-colons, periods, or by placing a comma before FANBOYS.
FANBOYS is a mnemonic device that stands for the following coordinating conjunctions:
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
When using commas with FANBOYS, keep these tips in mind:
1. Use commas before coordinating conjunctions that join two complete thoughts (complete thoughts have a subject and verb).
2. Don’t use a comma before FANBOYS if the second phrase is not a complete thought with a subject and verb.
More tips for using commas
1. Use commas with introductory words or phrases:
“When I’m playful, I use the meridians of longitude and parallels of latitude for a seine, and drag the Atlantic Ocean for whales…” (Mark Twain)
2. Use commas with clauses that begin with although, if, as, in order to, when.
“As I was just telling you, if there was a horse race, you’d find him flush or you’d find him busted at the end of it.” (Twain)
3. Use commas in a series of items or actions:
“He never smiled, he never frowned, he never changed his voice from the quiet, gently-flowing key to which he turned the initial sentence.” (Twain)
4. Use commas in the place of “and” when linking coordinate adjectives:
“…an experienced, industrious, ambitious, and often quite picturesque liar.” (Mark Twain)
For more on the use of commas and other punctuation, pick up a copy of Working with Words, Brooks, et al; Woe Is I, by Patricia T. O’Conner; Handbook for Writers , by Simon & Schuster; The Grammar Bible , by Michael Strumpf; or any good grammar book.
Vicki McCollum, (c) 2008 Please do not reprint or publish without permissioin
Interview, Sally E. Stuart, “The Christian Writers’ Market Guide”
Founder and editor of The Christian Writers’ Market Guide, a popular speaker, and author of 34 books, a thousand or more articles, and a columnist for Christian Communicator, Oregon Christian Writers and The Advanced Christian Writer, Sally E. Stuart is the leading authority on Christian markets and the business end of Christian publishing. In this interview, Stuart describes the publishing market for Christian writers before and since publication of the first Christian Writers’ Market Guide. (Also posted at Infuzemag.com)
Vicki: What were the greatest needs not met by other market guides that drove the creation of the The Christian Writers’ Market Guide?
Sally: Actually, the guide wasn’t my idea. At the time, I was writing a marketing column for The Christian Writer, a magazine that was the forerunner of what is now the Christian Communicator. It was published in Florida, and I was visiting the office while on a business trip.
I was preparing to teach at a writer’s conference, and wanted some current market news to share with my students. So, I asked the editor if he would pay for mailing a few questionnaires out to editors.
At some point in the conversation, he mentioned that if I wanted to send out a few more questionnaires and put it into a “market guide,” he would publish it. I probably said something inane like, “Oh, that might be a good idea.” I had no idea that one conversation would change the direction of my life. After struggling for so many years trying to find markets, I was excited about finally compiling all the markets in one place.
Was the first Christian Writers’ Market Guide well-received? How difficult was it to get the word out?
I think most writers were as excited about it as I was. We were able to advertise it in The Christian Writer and got the information out to groups and conferences. Of course, there weren’t nearly as many of them (Christian writing conferences) then as there are now.
What has growth for Christian Writers’ Market Guide been like for the past twenty-two years of publication?
I don’t have any early records, but as I recall we sold 3,000 to 5,000 maximum, in those early years. Now, we sell about 15,000 every year.
Who are the dominant publishers in Christian Writers’ Market Guide?
There are over 350 book markets listed. Actually, there’s a listing in the guide that indicates which are the largest down to the smallest based on the number of titles they publish each year. The biggest publishers are the names most people recognize, such as Thomas Nelson, Tyndale House, Harvest House, Cook Communications, Zondervan, Bethany House, and B & H – formerly Broadman & Holman). The guide also lists publishers with the most books on the Bestseller List. You will also find a list of publications in order by largest circulation.
What does the future look like specifically for Christian fiction writers, markets and publishers?
Fiction is just really coming into its own in the Christian market. More and more publishers are open to it, and there is certainly a surge of interest among writers. It used to be that you rarely heard of a Christian fiction writer, and there were even fewer markets for them. Most people in the industry feel that fiction is currently in a very long growth curve. The quality seems to improve all the time.
Christian writers and book publishers have had a less than stellar reputation for producing excellent fiction. Can you comment on how writers and publishers can overcome this perception?
I suppose it’s just going to take time, and a lot of good writing put out on the market. I’m more impressed all the time.
Do secular markets ask to be included in the Market Guide?
I’m surprised at the number of publishers I hear from that have heard about the guide and want to be included. If it’s a secular publisher, it’s usually because they are adding a religious imprint or division. That’s one of the important changes in the industry – secular publishers want to cash in on the success experienced by Christian publishers. We are seeing many of the major Christian houses bought out or taken over by large secular publishing houses.
Do you have controls in place to weed out “predator” publishers, those who take advantage of new writers?
That’s an ongoing struggle. With over 1,200 markets listed in the Market Guide, it’s impossible to check out each one individually. I depend a lot on freelancers who are good about letting me know if they have had a problem with a publisher. I drop the publisher, if I get several complaints or if they have developed a bad reputation on the Internet.
However, I have learned that it is not unusual for a reputable publisher to get a complaint or two against them. If the reports on a company conflict – some love them, some hate them – I spend the time to check them out closely. In other words, it takes more than one complaint to get a publisher dropped.
What should new writers look for when selecting an editor or publisher to submit to?
Writers need to do their homework to be sure the markets they approach are appropriate for their material. I recommend that writers “write to the market” – not write a piece, and then try to find a market that it fits. Sometimes even great writing doesn’t get accepted because it simply doesn’t fit a potential market – wrong length, wrong slant, wrong audience, etc.
If a book is being offered, it’s important to pay close attention to the contract to be sure you know exactly what you are agreeing to. You don’t need a lawyer’s advice, but it does help to have it reviewed by someone familiar with the market – someone who knows what’s typical or what’s a potential problem. I review contracts, and there are other reviewers listed in the Editorial Services section of the guide as well.
What are Christian market publishing trends for 2007?
Typically, I don’t get into talking about trends. For book writers, by the time you figure out a trend, it’s on its way out. Most books take eighteen to twenty-four months to get to market. I don’t know many writers or publishers who have a crystal ball to tell them what’s going to be hot that far ahead.Mystery and suspense novels do seem to be popular.
The Market Guide includes a market analysis section for both books and magazines, which includes the most popular topics in each area. The most popular book topics are inspirational, prayer, Christian living, spirituality, family life and women’s issues. For magazines, it’s Christian living, family life, interviews or profiles, inspirational, current issues, social issues and personal experience. Those lists also tell which fiction genres are most popular.
What are the most receptive markets to new Christian writers?
I think Sunday school “take-home papers” are a great place to start, along with publications put out by the denominations. The “take-home papers” are weekly, for the most part, and they use a lot of material. It’s a great market for short fiction. Denominational publications often prefer to publish writers who are members of their denomination, so that is an open door.
Although it’s great to get paid, the nonpaying markets are a good place to get some credits under your belt. A writer needs to work at getting published as much as possible in relation to their topic or type of writing. You want to be recognized as someone well established as a how-to-writer, features writer, writer for children or teens…whatever. So, even those nonpaying markets will help in building that reputation.
What has been the biggest factor contributing to the success of The Christian Writers’ Market Guide?
Persistence. Most writers give up way too easily. With the guide, it is the fact that I’ve been willing to update it faithfully, every year that has given it credibility and longevity. I never wanted to be a writer, but I ended up writing anyway. A few years later, I realized this was something God had in His plan for me. I also realized that God was not going to zap me with everything I needed to know to be a good writer. It was my responsibility to become the best writer I could be—as well as going through the doors that opened to me.
The name, Sally E. Stuart, and The Christian Writers’ Market Guide are mentioned on every Christian writer’s website. Most seem to feel that they know you personally, and trust you and your company. That sounds like you have good business practices. What do you consider appropriate customer service and interaction?
To me, customers have always come first. I answer my own phone, which seems to surprise most people, and I’m always available to answer questions by phone or e-mail. I have had to give up my own writing, at least for now, in order to provide the guide and meet the needs of the many writers who seek me out, but that’s okay by me. There’s no greater joy than helping the myriad of writers who can find help in the guide that will propel them toward success. As always, God knows what he’s doing and I just try to keep up.
When you were new to writing, what advice would have helped you most? What advice do you offer to new writers hopeful to be published?
The importance of writing to the specific needs of specific markets. I wish I’d had the Guide to help with that. I’m delighted that others can find that help and save themselves a lot of legwork by using the guide to learn the markets. With over 1,200 markets in the guide, it can be overwhelming.
Writers need to use the topical listings, and other helps, to find the best possible markets for their writing—and keep pursuing those until they achieve success. Most writers give up too easily or if they’ve been rejected by a market, they never try that market again. Come up with a list of potential markets for your type of writing, and keep perfecting your material until it fits the needs of those publishers.
What type of training do you recommend for new writers?
Attend as many writers’ conferences as you can. Subscribe to writer’s magazines and read them cover-to-cover. Read books on writing in general, and specifically on your type of writing. Read as much as you can of the type of writing you want to write. I would encourage writers to invest in themselves and their future. Buy the Market Guide and other resources to help you reach your goals.
Determine with God where he wants writing to fall in your life. If you’re going to have the time to write, you likely will need to give up other involvements, even good things, if they get in the way of your call to write. If God is calling you to a writing task, keep in mind that there is no one else who can do that task quite as well as you can. Then, write, write, write!
Sally’s Website: stuartmarket.com
Sally Stuart’s “Christian Writers’ Market Guide,” 2008
Christian Writers’ Market Guide 2008 by Sally Stuart, WaterBrook Press, January 15, 2008
ABOUT SALLY STUART
Sally Stuart has been writing for the last 40+ years, and has been putting out the annual Christian Writers’ Market Guide for the last 23 years.
Her other writing includes several Christian education resource books, a children’s picture book, a basic writing text, writing resources, and a western novel–plus hundreds of articles and marketing columns. She writes marketing columns for the Christian Communicator, Advanced Christian Writer,”and the Oregon Christian Writers’ Newsletter.
She speaks and teaches at Christian writers conferences nationwide. Sally is the mother of three and grandmother of eight. She and her husband, Norm, spend their free time vacationing on the Oregon coast.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The essential reference tool for the Christian writer, Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide 2008 is now in its 23rd annual edition! Including writers conference listings, book publishers, magazine publishers, and a ookstore filled with the resources you need to be successful in this business.
Need a manuscript evaluation? Want a book contract? Sally spends her time researching and compiling all of the information you will need in Christian Writer’s Market Guide 2008. And check out the Writer’s Resource links. Sally Stuart has placed everything you need to connect to all these valuable helps for the beginning, intermediate, or professional writer. Each book includes a searchable CD.
To keep up to date with the latest marketing news visit Sally Stuart’s new marketing blog Christian Writers’ Marketplace at http://www.stuartmarket.blogspot.com
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