So, I've been doing some editing on Kibin, and I've noticed that a lot of users, even those at the post-secondary level, have a lot of problems integrating quotes and using dialogue. I am going to quickly adress that issue, because I don't have all the free time now that I did when it was summer.
So here it is, in point form:
Punctuation goes inside the quotation marks: "The period should come at the end, like this."
When citing a work, punctuation comes after the citation: "Green Eggs and Ham" (Dr. Seuss).
When providing dialogue from multiple characters in a work of fiction, each gets their own line:
"Hi Jane, how's life?" Rob asked, eating a bagel.
"Not too bad, yourself?" Jane replied, plucking the bagel from his hand and dancing away from his reach.
Finally, if you are quoting, a character in a fiction, even if that character is a first-person protagonist, and is thus, 'you' in the story, use double quotes: "Like this." If you are quoting anyone in real life, directly or otherwise, use double quotes: "Like this." If you are quoting something you say often, or something that 'everyone' says often, or something that needs clarification, or that must be clarified from context within the society it is being written, then use single quotes, like this: 'everyone is a critic.' Bear in mind that when writing a narrative, if single quotes are used, then the author is speaking. If I break into a single quote dialogue in the middle of a fictional narrative, it is now me, as the author, speaking to the reader. You should never, ever do this, ever.
I feel this single quote, double quote conundrum could use further explanation, but I am too lazy to give it now, and I figure this is boring enough as is. On Friday, hopefuly, an interesting post!
This is my Summer Blog, it is active from May 01 - September 30, and will update Tuesdays and Thursdays. A blog about writing, breaking into the publishing arena, my experiences, Warhammer 40k, Warmachine, and whatever else comes to mind.
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Sunday, 28 August 2011
Kibin and my return from hiatus.
Picture unrelated. So, internet, do I get a big hug back from hiatus? No? No one? Okay, fine, then I'll just tell you about something cool I've discovered recently.
Ever wanted an extra pair of eyes on your writing? Like maybe, a free peer editing service? Which guarantees turn-around times? Where you can rate the reviewer, or pay to choose which reviewer you use? Sure you have, that's why Kibin exists.
Check this out: http://www.slideshare.net/500startups/kibin
So, because I really love this idea, I've put a lot of time into raising my Kibin level. I'm not sure it'll be worth it, but I figure the ability to list editing experience on my resume makes up for it. With Kibin, you are essentially a volunteer freelance editore, with the possibility of paid gigs down the road, and right now in my life, that works for me. So I'm almost level three, which I got to by reviewing a bunch of things, and the experience has been really cool. I've reviewed the work of fellow university students, of master's students, or individuals who speak English as a second languages, of a Proffesor in Linguistics, and quite a few works of fiction, and even one poem! Its been very interesting.
Anyways, check it out, it's a growing site but already very cool, and I expect it to jump in growth when summer ends. Link here, for people to lazy to type Kibin into Google: https://kibin.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)