In this column, we�ll be looking at some common mishaps that take place in the writing profression. I�ve divided our discussion into three sections: Grammar Garbage, Manuscript Mayhem, and Publishing Pitfalls. Each section will look at a different piece of the writing process. Grammar Garbage, naturally, will give advice on how to eliminate common grammar mistakes that we all make and that render our writing confusing or unpolished. In Manuscript Mayhem, watch out for story/novel issues that cause your fiction to fail. Finally, in Publishing Pitfalls we�ll include quotes, stories, and advice about what agents and publishers want or DON�T want from hopeful writers.

So, let�s get started!

For Grammar Garbage, we�re going to look at the COMMA, the most misunderstood and misused of all punctuation marks--well, we�re going to look at one common misuse of it anyway (the comma is way too big a topic to cover in just one go) and that is: if you are writing a list and use a conjunction such as �and,� you still need to include a final comma before the conjunction.

For instance: He packed his kit with rope, a knife, duct tape, and a body bag. When you exclude this final comma you, in effect, group the last two items together, which may confuse the meaning.

This is a VERY common mistake that the majority of writers--even professional writers--make. However, if you look in any style guide worth its salt, you will find that the proper way to write a list is to include this final comma even when using a conjunction.

On to Manuscript Mayhem! For this issue, let�s explore a concept known as �head hopping.� This refers to when a writer moves from one character�s POV to another (or multiple other characters) within a paragraph or a small section of the manuscript. Here is an example:

�Donald was furious. He didn't even wait to hear her explanation but said angrily, "I don't appreciate being kept waiting while you're having drinks with another man."

Shawna gaped at him in disbelief. "Drinks? This is a cherry limeade." What had come over her usually calm, passionless friend?

No one spoke to Shawna like that. Roger opened the truck door and walked back to the restaurant patio.

Do you see how the writer began by giving us Sherman�s thoughts on the situation and then, in the next paragraph moved into Becka�s head and then into Jett�s? Doing this requires the author to name each character every time that character speaks or thinks anything. Not only is this tiresome for a reader, but it will very quickly become confusing with POVs and thoughts getting tangled.

The best strategy is to stick with one character�s POV for the duration of a scene before jumping into another head. Of course, if you are using first person point-of-view then you should remain with that narrating character throughout all scenes and chapters.

So, go through your manuscript and clean up any scenes that have messy or mixed up POV. This bit of revising will tighten up your writing and give it a more polished and comprehensible voice.

Lastly, let�s dive into Publishing Pitfalls. In this first issue of Writing Woes, I want to address the number one beef that publishers and agents have when reading manuscript submissions -- not following established submission guidelines. This error indicates to the receiving agent or publisher that:

1. You have not read the submission guidelines or

2. You have read the guidelines but have chosen to ignore them

In either case it is an inexcusable error that insults both the individual to whom you submit your work to and the company for which that individual works. Failing to comply with submission guidelines, in effect, says that you believe you are above common courtesy and that your time is more valuable than the agents/publishers. In both cases you would be wrong and 99.99% of agents and publishers will relegate your work to the trash without reading one word.

Therefore, my advice would be to hunt out submission guidelines for every company or agent to whom you submit your work. If you cannot find the guidelines, shoot the organization an e-mail and ask if they can be sent to you directly. Then, meticulously follow those guidelines. Even if your work is rejected, at the very least your name is not blacklisted as someone who cannot follow simple directions.

Until next issue�