Archie's Journal

Low Ratings

Hated to do it, but I gave a couple low ratings to items I read today. My hope is that people who receive low ratings (myself included) take the comments I make in a spirit of learning, or, if they disagree with my comments, at least that they know I felt I was being honest.

One person I rated low a couple days ago asked me about grammar, stating s/he was not strong in grammar.

That was an interesting comment. As writers, we should use the tools given us in the best, most professional manner possible. Grammar is an important tool in our writer's toolboxes. I think Stephen King wrote that or something similar in his most inspiring book about writing, "About Writing."

Few of us are perfect grammarians, the muses know this, yet we have to do the best we can.

There are exceptions, obvious ones. For instance, a character may use bad grammar if that is an important or telling aspect in his or her personality. Narrators should almost always use correct grammar and an author's voice should also almost always seek perfection of grammar and usage.

We all slip, some more than others, but that is one of the reasons for this site, I believe, so that we may all sharpen our writer's tools; don't let your grammar get rusty in that fine old toolbox of yours.