 For Authors: February 04, 2009 Issue [#2861] |
  For Authors
This week: Edited by: Cubby  
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Hello, everyone! Welcome to this edition of the For Authors newsletter.  This week's topic is focused on dashes, but first off, I'd like to share a few quotes with you. Enjoy!
Quotes:
*
In the family of punctuation, where the full stop is daddy
and the comma is mummy
and the semicolon quietly practices the piano with crossed hands,
the exclamation mark is the big attention-deficit brother who gets over-excited and
breaks things and laughs too loudly.
~ Lynne Truss
*
Used sparingly, the semicolon emphasizes your crucial contrasts;
used recklessly, it merely clutters your page.
~ Sheridan Baker
*
Punctuation herds words together, keeps others apart.
Punctuation directs you how to read,
in the way musical notation directs a musician how to play.
~ Lynne Truss |
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 ~ Dashing Through! ~
Did you know there are four kinds of dashes? If you didn't, you do now.  The four types of dashes are: the em, the en, the 2-em, and the 3-em. Assuming you do not have any of these characters in your software, be sure to note how many hyphens on your keyboard to use in each description. I also might add, the hyphen and dash are not to be confused with each other. A hyphen is used as a single character, mainly within a word, such as two-thousand or break-a-leg. When referring to hyphens in this article, they will be used to create the dash which is not included in certain fonts, html, and other software.
The em dash consists of two hyphens, used for emphasis when there is an abrupt change.
You might think you know everything under the sun—but you don't.
The em dash may also be used previous to the name of someone who has written a quote:
How do I know what I think until I see what I say?
--E.M. Forster
Sometimes there is confusion on whether to use the em-dash (two hypens) or points of ellipsis (three periods). The distinction should be, ellipsis points are used for trailing off; the em-dash is more of an abrupt break.
"I was thinking..."
"Hey, what the--"
You may also use a pair of em dashes in place of parentheses.
I used to want to be a ballerina—back when I liked pink—but I have become a mechanic instead.
If you can use a comma, colon, or parentheses in place of dashes, it might be wise to, as dashes can sometimes come across as sloppy. But for more abrupt, dramatic instances, dashes work quite well.
The en dash is used between inclusive numbers or dates and is one hyphen.
1930-2020
Today's assignment is to read pages 23-32 in your creative writing book.
If you are using words such as between or from, do not use the en dash. Here are some examples:
He attended Harley High from 1974 to 1978.
She was last seen in St. Paul between May of 1999 and January 2000.
The two-em dash can be used to fill in spaces of missing letters or numbers, using four dashes. Here are a few samples:
k----ping
Mr. P----
1----5
If you are replacing an entire word, use the three-em dash (six dashes).
I heard ------ and ------ talking about me behind my back.
------ him!
Now that you know something about the four kinds of dashes, be sure to choose the right one for your work!
A few interesting books to check out:
 A Dast of Style: The Art and Mastery of Punctuation by Noah Lukeman
Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss
For additional online information, browse the following links:
Writer's Block - Writing Tips - Dashes
http://www.writersblock.ca/tips/monthtip/tipjun96.htm
Using Dashes in Text
http://www.ossweb.com/using-dashes-in-text.html
Now for a fun prompt... Write a short piece that uses all four dash types.
Happy February and...
Keep on Writing!
Cubby ") |
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Featured Items
Submitted by: Acme 
Submitted Item: "Invalid Item"
Submitted comment: I wrote my retelling of a fairy tale after reading a really ace, if disturbing, version of a classic tale by one of my favourite WDC authors, Check out the Winter Warm Up! Kaya Her story still gives me goosebumps and is part of her Nevermore Adult Fairy Tale Collection. Thanks for another interesting newsletter, Cubby 
Submitted by: NOVAcatmando 
Submitted Item: "Invalid Item"
Submitted comment: fairy re-written...
Submitted by: 4theLoveofWriting
Submitted Item: "Speedy & Molasses"
Submitted comment: Fairy tales were my first foray into the world of writing. This is the result - one of a series of 4 Furry tales.
I think that some writers long to impart some of their hard won lessons to a younger generation. Fairy tales are a great way to do that, as long as they refrain from being preachy and too obvious.
Submitted by: Ŧĥē Beŋ
Submitted Item: "Invalid Item"
Submitted comment: Thank you for the fairy tales material in the current installment. I may not have much time to follow up on the vast resources you provided, but the concept is a great reminder. Brilliant. |
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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~FEEDBACK~
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Raine
Great Newsletter, Cubby. I love writing fairy tales but I have discovered that one must have care in the doing. Every culture in the world has their version of fairies so research is absolutely essential.
~ Thank you! And yes, that's probably good advice!
NanoWriMo2018 Into the Earth
i absolutely LOVED the quotes you placed at the beginning. Good solid NL, Cubby. Thanks, Robin
~ You are very welcome!
Ash
This was a great newsletter! I always enjoy reading quotes somewhere within e-mails and I like actually learning something.
Keep up the good work,
Ash
~ Thank you.
Puppycat
This was an eye opener. Cinderella is my all time favorite fairy tale simply because I always identified with Cinderella myself. And like the birds and mice, I began a Historic Clothier business manufacturing beautiful gowns so I could be like Cinderella.
~  Really? Oh, how cool!!!
PoisonAvy21
I love fairytales thanks for writing about them!!
~ My pleasure.
Lazereth
I love the Fairy Tales theme. Also this newsletter and how it works is very efficiant. yet, I'm new. I can't wait for the next issue though. somone I know might have a poem in the newbie newsletter! can't wait. by the way. vist Lazereth's writting. I think I'll but my short story twist of cinderella on there this week.
L
~ Thank you for your response!
 Thank you, everyone, for all the wonderful feedback you send in!
As always...
Have a wonderful week!
AND KEEP ON WRITING!!!
Cubby ")
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