Capitalization Tip: File Formats
👉 Most of the time, use all caps for file formats:
“Discussing GIFs out loud is now against office rules. The last argument over pronunciation ended in two black eyes and a broken toe.”
"I forgot to attach the PDF!"
👉 But use lowercase when writing them as extensions:
“Look for the .docx extension on the file name.”
“Maybe downloading Virus.exe was a mistake.”
#AmEditing #capitalization #Grammar #WritingTips #WritingCommunity
Harper is not too great for doing spell checks. It identifies that words are wrong but is abysmal at suggesting alternatives.
As far as grammar / punctuation / case checking, it seems pretty good so far.
This is definitely taking a place in my edit process.
Be aware of filter words. How distant do you want your readers to feel?
Saw, felt, noticed, thought are just four examples. Louise's blog post (linked above) is one of the best discussions of filter words I have come across.
If you’re looking for ways to inject some drama into your novel’s sentences, omitting filter words could be just the ticket. Do so judiciously though. Including them can add texture to mood and voice.
When writing dialogue, if you indicate a pause in someone's speech with an em dash, you don't need to include "paused" or "stopped" or other such wording in the action beat/attribution. The dash shows us that there's a pause.
Get right to the meat of what happens in that beat, instead. Do they (pause and) listen? Tap a foot impatiently? Make rude hand gestures for the benefit of others in the room with them?
"Hi, Marian, I just wanted to ask—" Diana held the phone a bit away from her ear and grimaced. Everyone in the room could hear Marian's diatribe, even if they couldn't make out the words.
Your semi-regular reminder that in Chicago style, words formed with "non" are generally styled closed (without a hyphen).
nonexistent
nonviolent
nonnegotiable
nonrefundable
but: non-beer-drinking (affixing it to an already hyphenated tern takes a hyphen)
Rachel E. Tell
William C. Tracy
Alexis Miller
Eve's Hallow
Karen Conlin