Crash course on mechanics on IF

Hello IF-ers,

I hope we're all doing well. Guys, I have been active on Yahoo! Answers, especially in the Homework Help and Words 'n Wordplay sections. I have come across a lot of questions concerning grammar, mechanics, sentence structure, and much more related to the issue of writing and literature.

I was wondering if it were a good idea to start a new course here on IF, starting with this thread, on mechanics of writing and composing works of literature. Members who have queries can post their questions, and one of us can answer them to the best of our ability. I agree none of us is a professional, but it would be helpful to use ideas and take opinions from members.

As they say, knowledge doesn't go waste, it remains until the end. I am requesting you all for your valuable inputs on this issue.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Roshan

It would be an awesome idea Roshan.I am in:))

Thank you, Sally. I am looking toward a more common ground where we could share our thoughts on grammatical errors, mistakes and so on.

Does anyone have any questions about punctuations, proof-reading, etc? In case you do, you're more than welcome to post them here.

I had a few questions, Sally. Is this forum restricted to only the English language, or can we post material such as 'transliterated' works of literature and poetry in other languages, such as Hindi or Urdu or Bengali?

since im new here, id love to take part in a thread  like this.
no one has asked anything yet so i'l innaugrate- is it okay to quote peole while doing a diary writing, bcz i never quoted people in my diary, but whenit comes to writing fanfics i feel the need to express others sentiments by qouting exactly what they said which i personally find wierd..
also the use of present tense while doing a diary writing - since tend to write mostly in the presnt tense - i find i t harder while doing a ff bcz a diary is written at the end fof the day - so technicaly we should be using the past tense right??
or does the fact that its my diary so i'll  write however i want overule everything else.

Sorry for the delayed response, Nina. I am not sure how this skipped my eyes.

Anyway, here's the answer to your query. Diary entry, or blogging, is a special kind of writing style that is not obligated to abiding by any rules of literature. Diary entry encompasses a writer's emotions and pens them down the way a writer wants to express them. Yes, you may quote a certain person's words from their prior speech or statement in the media. However, doing so would only mean you're enhancing your work of diary entry with respect to their work. There's nothing wrong in that.

Diary entry is, by far, the most informal style of all forms of writing. You cannot put restrictions on it. You may quote, edit, write shabbily, use expletives, and kind of play around with words to your convenience. The motive is to bring out the most of your true inner feelings and pen them down.

Since mechanics is the least of a concern for diary entry; tense and tense clause shouldn't be an issue. However, yes, it's always better to use proper grammar in your work. It only helps you; there's no loss at all. Since I write diary AT THE END OF MY DAY, I use the past tense. For example:

"It was hectic today. No matter what I did, I just couldn't keep up with my schedule. Oh, I hate that b***h Melissa. Damn it! She's made my life a hell. I wish I could kill her. I think I will complain about her to the authorities."

Please note that in the above excerpt from a diary entry, the writer has started it with a PAST TENSE. However, toward the end of the entry, the tense has changed from WAS and WERE (PAST) to WILL (FUTURE). Therefore, since diary entry is a reflection of your mood and passion also, you may get away with writing whatever you want to. It's your expression and its depth that count, not the matter as such.

I hope I was able to answer your query.






Edited by -Desi-IFer- - 06 June 2012 at 5:37pm

Hey Nina, i would like to help u in just little way more as ur queries are cleared already by Thread starter so here i go- since i'm a experienced National Magazine Writer so i can suggest you that what ever you Write in ur Diary,write wid Full emotions,ur inner desires should be out, and whatever you take from other Sources ,you should Mention their Sources from where they have taken,coz it will help u in a way that no body then can claim that "u used their things widout their permission" so i'm experienced and want to share this so pls take care of it. Thats all! Regards Dev

Hey very nice thread and I'm AVAILABLE FOR ANY TYPE OF QUERIES,JUST PM me here i'll Help as my Best Potential,Here is my Info ,
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Well I have a question regarding paras. The problem is I don't understand when it is right to divide the story into paras, as in at some points it is clear to start a new para but when you are describing one scene from one characters view then how do you divide? Is there a way of telling?