STYLE AND GRAMMAR
Good writing is more than style and grammar, and the engaging literary personality is a gift honed by long practice. Even on the mundane level of correct usage, English is a minefield, and a cogent way of putting something can be hard to find.
Whatever you write is probably going to be altered — by a proofreader, the editor, a thoughtful colleague or the need to keep within style and space considerations. But you can do yourself a favour by getting as much right as possible in the first submission because:
proof reading is a skilled trade that charges high fees based on the time spent sorting out your muddles.
editors want something needing the minimum of alteration.
unless you continually check you will never see the need to improve.
There is no magic formula, just self-evaluation and hard work. First-time authors are generally thrilled to have their novel accepted, but most professionals come to hate their early productions, finding them gauche, derivative, pretentious and good deal else. Below are some resources you may find useful.
Grammar
Most of us get things wrong from time to time, and if good writing is inspiration, it is also a craft where tools are important. You'll not want to read the following in their entirety, but you should check whenever uncertain about a passage or particular usage, and set aside an hour or two each week to systematically cover the field.
Sites
Guide to Grammar and Style. Jack Lynch's personal listing.
Library Spot. Brief but useful listing of sites.
Dictionary.com. Correct usage for American readers.
Refdesk. Dictionary and language resources.
Writers Web. Online writing resources for students.
Writers Write Online Journal. Much useful information for authors and booklovers generally.
Writers Free Reference. Sites useful to writers.
Writing Tools. Very extensive listing, including those for technical writing.
Toolkits for Poets. Anthologies, bookstores, advice, thesauri, etc.
Writers Resources. Open Directory's listing.
Technical Writing. MIT articles on the technical aspects of writing.
Books
Reader's Digest: The Right Word at the Right Time: A Guide to the English Language and How to Use It: straightforward and sensible.
Henry Fowler: A Dictionary of Modern English Usage: a classic: a little dated and more for British English, but still useful.
University of Chicago Press Staff: The Chicago Manual of Style: excellent: covers bookmaking, style and production, and printing.
Thomas S. Kane. The New Oxford Guide to Writing: popular and well-recommended guide to finer points.
Patricia T. O'Connor: Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English: funny and informative.
Harry Blamires: Correcting Your English: not engaging, but does highlight many contemporary mistakes.
Style: Approaches
Style is a complex matter, but here are a few approaches:
style is the man: Style by F. L. Lucas: an old book that remains one of the best.
fiction: Language in Popular Fiction by Walter Nash: also considers serious fiction.
general: Seeing Through Language by Ronald Carter and Walter Nash: practical student's introduction to most areas.
literary criticism: The Functions of Style by David Birch and Michael O'Toole: essays at an advanced level.
sociology: Language and Power by Norman Fairclough: how language mediates structures of social and political power.
linguistics: A
Linguistic Introduction to English Fictional Prose by Geoffrey N. Leech
and Mick Short: a good starting point.
analysis: Investigating English Style by David Crystal and Derek Davy: a classic textbook analyzing examples.
terminology: A Dictionary of Stylistics by Katie Wales: clear explanations of the key terms.
Proof Reading
You should have your work proofed by an eagle-eyed, nit-picking third party who works from what's on the page. If you're self-publishing and can't afford professional proofing, then consider:
1. A guide to editing/proofreading:
Developing and Proofreading Skills by Sue C. Camp: clear and simple approach.
Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Rennie Browne and Dave King: excellent: editing as it should be.
Handbook for Proofreading by Laura Killen Anderson: includes step-by-step instructions and exercises.
Style: Toward Clarity and Grace: Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing by Joseph M. Williams
New Hart's Rules: The Handbook of Style for Writers and Editors by R. M. Ritter: covers UK and US usage.
2. Software to pick up vagueness, cliché and verbosity:
StyleWriter: you'll hate what it throws up, but it's useful medicine.
3. Audio software that reads your text out aloud, allowing you to hear the work cold, as a stranger would: