Article: Window Dressing A Manuscript

Window Dressing the Manuscript

by Elizabeth Sinclair

What part does grammar, format, punctuation and spelling play in emphasizing the telling of your story? How do you break the rules and still make your point (and not come across as looking illiterate)?

The first thing to remember here is that you can't break the rules unless you know them. Why? First of all, it reveals to an editor that you don't know the rules. Second, you have to know them to break them effectively. And sometimes, you don't have to break them to achieve the desired result. Also, use all these techniques sparingly so they don't lose their punch.

GRAMMER
1. Construct you sentences with the punch at the end.
2. Construct paragraphs the same way.
3. Use one word sentences to emphasize a point or an emotion.
4. Leave sentences unfinished, hanging. Let the reader finish it.
5. Use short, choppy sentences to incite tension, emotion, fear, etc.
6. Long sentences that flow smoothly incite ease. Relaxation, calm.
7. Incomplete sentences and bad grammar will emphasize the traits of different characters, to give them unique voices.

PAGE FORMAT
1. Use italics to emphasize important passages or important internalization.
2. Break large blocks of heavy dialogue by using short snatches of dialogue and no tags.
3. Change the appearance of the page by using #'s I and 2.

PUNCTUATION
1. Don't overuse things like ...., --, !, and 's.
Examples: You'll notice that each bit of punctuation elicits a different result.

"But what if. . . ." [hesitation]
"But what if-- [interruption] "Don't speculate!"
"But what if, what if she leaves?" [straight dialogue]

SPELLING
1. Use misspelling for emphasis.
2. To convey a message
3. To develop character and dialogue.