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Now, as a loyal fan of Pirates of the Caribbean, I find the irony so poetic when the “Pirate Code” turns out to be more like guidelines—and the same can be said of grammar rules.
What, you say? Proper grammar regarded as mere guidelines? Blasphemy! Those are rules, not guidelines, or even a piddling pirate code. They aren’t whims to be tossed to the side when the *muse* strikes. Such sacrilege!
Um, yes. No disrespect intended—honest—but for me, grammar rules should be subjected to walking the plank anytime, anywhere the author sees fit. In fact, I feel it’s almost a writer’s responsibility to chuck the *rules* at certain points in his/her fiction. Why? Because that’s what helps to define an author’s *voice.* Allow me to explain…
Remember how you got docked points on your English papers for beginning sentences with *and* and *but?* You were told that wasn’t “proper” grammar. Admittedly, this is one of my favorite rules to not just break but grind into dust. 😉 In fiction, the use of *and* and *but* is sooo powerful, and can lend itself so beautifully to an author’s voice, when put at the start sentences versus just being somewhere in the middle.
Next comes the comma conundrum—where to put or not put them. With the exception of using commas in a list or for dialogue, I consider those little buggers to be *pauses;* opportunities for the reader to take a breath. Yet, an editor friend of mine insists a comma should come before the *and* in a sentence when the second half of said sentence could stand alone (Example: His eyes crossed, and he gritted his teeth.) Say what? No, no. A comma there breaks the rhythm, the flow of the prose. But it’s the *rule.* Well for me, that’s one *rule* in serious need of dying a death by a thousand paper cuts. Don’t mess with an author’s tempo. Bad things can happen—trust me.
Another choice rule I adore breaking is writing in complete sentences. You know, having a noun and verb. Bah! Give me sentence fragments any day. LOVE sentence fragments! 😉 Again, it’s the cadence, the timing, the alliteration of the narrative which should take priority—in my humble opinion—versus some mothball-infested rule.
Lastly, semi-colons. Of all the rules I break, I anticipate this one will garner the biggest reaction. But before I begin, in my defense, it should be noted I was indoctrinated years ago that semi-colons simply weren’t used in genre fiction. Non-fiction and literary fiction, okay. But not genre. I read a post by an author I admire who stated it’s positively nails on a chalkboard for her when she sees commas instead of semi-colons. She says it yanks her completely from the story. For me, the exact opposite is true. I get yanked out every time I see a semi-colon! Who’s right? Well…she is – technically. A semi-colon should be used when separating two main clauses—which are closely related—but each of which could stand as individual sentences. (Example: His eyes crossed; his teeth gritted.) However, for me and my writing style, that doesn’t work. Shoot me, I know… 😉
So what about you? Where do you stand on “grammar rules?” As a reader do you love ‘em or hate ‘em? If your an author, whatcha think? Share your thoughts to be eligible to win one of my titles (winner’s choice) plus a $5 gift card. And don’t forget to sign up for my mailing list. If you do, you’ll be entered to win a $100 GC.
Until next time!
L.
