I am someone with very strong grammar opinions. Grammar, in some parts, should be the artistic choice of the writer. As an avid reader, as well as someone in the process of writing a book; I have a few points I appreciate and believe are a must in writing and literature.
Point one: The use of the semicolon. The most controversial point of punctuation to some; yet, it’s a thing of beauty. The semicolon has to go down as my favorite piece of punctuation. It’s unique, expanding the authors voice for a more natural ebb and flow. The comma is always lovely; although, it pales in comparison to the single greatest piece, in terms of both aesthetics and use.
Point two: The overuse of periods. What is more bland than the short sentence. Anyone can combine them. The average sentence spoken is longer. It is bulky, lacking a certain flow that will intrigue readers; in all honesty a sentence should have at the very least one comma, or two or three.
Point three: Gray should be spelt grey. You should not be bound by the spelling variations of the English language. If one version looks better to you; the author: use it. Prose and dialogue should look how you want; and flow as you the author believe it should. Writing is a labour of love; the words should reflect your inner monologue.
Point four: True romanticization comes from the words, as much as the flow. The classics are the foundation a romantic book should be based upon. Adaption to the modern intrigue is a must; yet, writers should look back to the word choices and flow of the past. Inspiration should be granted, then taken and sculpted to your imagination; the book should play like a movie in your head.
Point five: Literature is a work of art. Grammar has rules; these are two conflicting swords ready to clash. Grammar should be taken as a rule; rules are meant to be broken. These are two facts, that can coexist; grammar can impede the development of a character. The basis of a book is capturing a character: a story. The way they speak; and most of all think– what’s going on in their brain; how they move. Their view of the world– and their own opinions. The way people bind to the words matters some; and yet they way characters bind to you does too. There is no book without characters, and yet there is a book without grammar.
Point six: Texting should look like texting. In the age of social media and online communication, why is it that you cannot write a text like most people text. There is a story told in the way people type, just as much as they speak. So much can be derived off of such little snippets of words.
