Ask a book author about the most important part of their craft, and it’s highly unlikely that you’ll get the response: “It’s all about the grammar.” Most writers point to tone, style, and communicating a clearly written narrative as their top priorities.
Without good grammar, though, the more creative elements of writing can quickly get lost in a sea of miscommunication. Even minor grammatical errors can completely change the meaning of an author’s words and leave readers feeling frustrated and distrustful of the writer’s authority on their subject matter.
Readers want to feel like the author is truly in control of the narrative, and bad grammar can make any seasoned professional look like an amateur faster than you can say “comma splice”. Even the most abstract forms of fiction need to take grammar into consideration, if only for the express purpose of ignoring it to show their narrator’s irreverence.
Paying attention to grammar may not be the most glamorous part of the book writing process, but it’s essential to creating well-crafted writing that keeps readers turning the pages from cover to cover.
The Xlibris Blog’s Author Advice features this infographic from Australian editing and proofreading company The Expert Editor. Use this guide below to avoid the 10 common grammar mistakes.
For more free expert writing, editing, and book marketing tips, visit the Xlibris Writer’s Workshop. Hear our featured Xlibris authors share their self-publishing journey on the Xlibris Blog and the Xlibris Indie Authors Roundup.