Not Your Momma's Comma

OMG, can you believe I just sat through a two-hour class specifically dedicated to commas?

Since my day job at the county Extension Office requires printed communications and releases to the public, we need to adhere to our specific county style manual. When someone gets a wild hair to update the style manual, classes are offered to update the personnel, too : ) Of course, taking these refresher classes looks good on my yearly performance review too. Normally, this is NOT a topic I’d share here in Seekerville, but I found I had a lot of misconceived notions over the usage of the lowly comma and thought I’d share.

I hope Grammar Queen pops in occasionally. This stuff is right up her alley : )

When my kids were in elementary school, I did well to teach them the mechanics of simple punctuation. Piece of cake, right? By the time they went to middle school, the sentences became more complex, but I could still use the tried and true technique of placing a comma wherever I paused while reading a sentence (which, by the way, the instructor of this class asserted has NEVER been a rule of grammar).

It wasn’t until high school that the English Department skewered me. My daughter handed a report she’d written to me and asked me to “sprinkle in some commas.” Hmm, the paper was actually good! Anyway, I did my thing with commas and was dumbfounded when she got her paper back with a note specific to poor punctuation.

What??? 

I won’t begin to compare my grammar skills to Grammar Queen, but hey, I don’t get that many red squiggly lines from MS Word indicating my punctuation is not that bad!

Still with me? I hope so.

Speedbo is over and now many of you are taking the Self-Editing Night Class offered by Tina Radcliffe. The more tools you have to add to your manuscript-polishing toolbox, the better. Agents and editors receive scads of submissions for review – it’s up to you to make yours the best it can be. I’m certainly not going to recap the whole two hours of comma reintroduction I endured, but I would like to share some comma rules that seemed to change on some sort of whim...or am I imagining things??

Remember, I am NOT a comma expert. Frankly, after sitting through 7 hours of grammar refresher, it's a wonder I can successfully link together two coherent words!

USE A COMMA:

Between two independent clauses joined by coordinating or correlative conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, either)

Pam used to keep a business journal, but now she uses spreadsheets.

To set off nonrestrictive appositives (non-essential information), phrases, and clauses.

Janet’s first critique partner, her former friend, was very critical.

DO NOT USE A COMMA:

Around a restrictive appositive.

Anyone who wants to room with Glynna at conference has to go to bed early and be an early riser.

Between two adjectives if the first modifies the idea of the second and the following noun (cumulative adjectives).

Sandra wants to replace her old ratty pickleball racket.

The final section of the class covered Optional Commas:

After short introductory adverbial phrases, a comma is not necessary unless misreading is likely.

On Monday Cara met with her critique partner.

In 2013 Missy Tippens was a RITA finalist.

This afternoon Debby will be crafting her next romantic suspense.

BUT…

Before eating, Ruthy explained the ingredients in her famous Snickerdoodles.

When Myra decided to move, the Seekers down south welcomed her.

A comma is not necessary between two short and closely connected independent clauses, especially if the connective is and (unless misreading is likely).

Julie went to the party and Tina stayed at the conference.

The word “too,” meaning “also,” is often set off with commas in the middle of sentences, but not so often at the end of a sentence.

Mary went to the party too.

Finally, the serial comma is considered optional by many people (journalists, in particular), but beware the possibility of misreading. I couldn’t help but include an example from the class…

To our parents, Mother Teresa and God.

I realize today’s post isn’t the most entertaining of Seekerville fame, but it is important to consider stylistic elements as you edit your Speedbo creations. The editors are looking for great stores so you don’t want anything to draw their attention from your hard work.

Reference style manuals. Take Tina’s Self-Editing night class. Do everything you can to take the hard earned words from Speedbo during March and transform them into the masterpieces worthy of The Call!!

Let’s talk giveaways now. 

FIRST, I’ll draw a name for a copy of the latest edition Elements of Style, either paperback or ebook, winner’s choice. 



SECOND, Seekerville offers Night Classes and I’m offering one enrollment fee for Jill ElizabethNelson’s Rivet Your Readers with Deep Point of View.

AND…THIRD…

Have you heard? Second Chance Ranch, my first indie release, is now available for Kindle! Check out this cover – it’s gorgeous!! I’m giving away a copy of Second Chance Ranch, too!

SECOND CHANCE RANCH

Pediatric oncology nurse, Jennifer O’Reilly returns home to Hawk Ridge, Colorado to establish a mountain recreation camp as a safe adventure for children battling cancer. Her path to ownership depends on developing a profitable business plan to convince the bank she can manage not only the camping facility, but the entire Trails’ End Ranch operation.

Generations earlier, one misplayed hand of poker lost part of the family ranch, and Zac Davidson, youngest son and financial genius of the Circle D, wants it back. Intrigued since childhood by the legend of his great grandfather, Zac is the only family member who holds out hope that one day the ranch would become Davidson property again. When the ranch goes on the market, money is no object, only Jennifer O’Reilly stands between him and his dream.

High school sweethearts, Jennifer and Zac have wounded each other, and the scars run deep. Jennifer is forced to reveal a secret she’s protected for twelve years. Will past mistakes jeopardize the future of both of their dreams or give them a second chance?

Audra Harders, writes "rugged stories with heart" featuring cowboys who haven't a clue about relationships rescued by ladies who think they have all the answers. In real life, she's married to her own patient hero, has two adult children, and is surrounded by everything conducive to writing about farming, ranching and cowboys at her day job in the county Extension office. She began writing right after her son was born and sold her first book to Steeple Hill Love Inspired mere months before that same son graduated from high school. Surviving those years in-between reminds her God does have her plan for her life...and that He has a tremendous sense of humor.