It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.
The awesome co-hosts for the September 4 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Jean Davis, Yvonne Ventresca, and PJ Colando!
September 4 question - Since it's back to school time, let's talk English class. What's a writing rule you learned in school that messed you up as a writer?
Proper sentence structure! I mean, that’s out the window when it comes to writing a story. Both in dialogue and the actual writing. A one-word sentence is perfectly acceptable in a book. It took me a while to realize that and relax with my writing, sound more natural.
And this is the thirteenth anniversary of the IWSG! It began in 2011 as just a blog hop and then morphed into a website, Facebook group, newsletter, Twitter group, and Instagram group.
Thanks to all of you for supporting the IWSG all these years.
Thanks to all of you for supporting the IWSG all these years.
Coming Soon!
Bloodstone by H. R. Sinclair
Lost Witch, Book One
Release date – September 22v ISBN: 9798329367645
Katelyn Grey is a gardener in Southern California. She’s content with pruning shrubs and looking after her step-mom, the only family she has left. That is, until a lawyer shows up and tells her that her long-lost aunt died, leaving her the family home on the other side of the country.
Though Katelyn hates to travel, a weird clause in her aunt’s will forces her to visit a quaint New England seaside town. Her world changes when she discovers she’s inherited a haunted brownstone, fickle magic, and a hidden key that someone else wants. And they’re willing to kill for it.
Now, she must learn how to use magic, find the key, and figure out what it’s for before she ends up like her long-lost aunt. Dead.
Find it on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, and Books2Read
September Movie Preview
Here are the theatrical releases for September. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
6 –
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Director: Tim Burton
Stars: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega
After a family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia's life is turned upside down when her teenage daughter, Astrid, accidentally opens the portal to the Afterlife.
The director returns to his roots in hopes of creating a film that isn’t awful.
13 –
Speak No Evil
Director: James Watkins
Stars: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairyv A family is invited to spend a weekend in an idyllic country house, unaware that their dream vacation will soon become a psychological nightmare.
Speaking of evil…wait, I’m not supposed to speak it! And if this movie sucks, I might wish I’d watched no evil as well.
20 –
Transformers One
Director: Josh Cooley
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson
The untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.
Michael Bay is not directing, so let’s see if they can keep it under four hours.
27 –
Megalopolis
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Stars: Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel
An architect wants to rebuild New York City as a utopia following a devastating disaster.
Director: James Watkins
Stars: James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairyv A family is invited to spend a weekend in an idyllic country house, unaware that their dream vacation will soon become a psychological nightmare.
Speaking of evil…wait, I’m not supposed to speak it! And if this movie sucks, I might wish I’d watched no evil as well.
20 –
Transformers One
Director: Josh Cooley
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson
The untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.
Michael Bay is not directing, so let’s see if they can keep it under four hours.
27 –
Megalopolis
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Stars: Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel
An architect wants to rebuild New York City as a utopia following a devastating disaster.
After the fake quote fiasco, I’m not sure I’m trusting the reviews, either.
What writing rule messed you up? Picking up Holly’s book? Any movie catch your interest this month?
I’ll be offline some of the second half of September but right back here for the October 2 posting for IWSG.
I’ll be offline some of the second half of September but right back here for the October 2 posting for IWSG.
75 comments:
Very good point! People don't talk using proper sentence structure. Nope.
Congrats to H.R.
The original Beetlejuice was so integral to my childhood I fear to watch the new one. Same reason I haven't seen any of the new Ghostbusters.
Using adjectives and adverbs. Now I use them sparingly...and I just did it again. None of the movies you mentioned moves me.
As they say, we need to know the rules in order to break them. I break them all the time with regard to sentence structure. How could any writing of fiction not? As for Beetle Juice, not sure how they could improve on the first, but it's breaking my heart that I can't watch this sequel with my husband.
I'm with you on one word sentences. I saw it in the books I read and knew it was okay, but it went against the sentence structure I had learned in school.
There are good movies in your line up, if they are indeed good to watch. They have to draw me in fast.
I have seen a single words on its own in a sentence in books. Definitely, I haven't spotted one of those in english textbooks. Anyways, one word sentences add much impact. It's a visual treat to be honest.
Excited for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Have a nice day:)
Hi, Alex!
I agree that, in writing, proper sentence structure can sometimes hinder communication, and that proper grammar is not always fitting. I saw the original Beetlejuice upon its release all those years ago when Winona was a young unknown. I would be willing to give Beetlejuice Beetlejuice a chance if it includes a cameo appearance by Lauren Boebert. That's entertainment! Ditto for Speak No Evil. Dream vacay at a secluded house in the country goes sideways. Sounds like an innovative, groundbreaking story line. :)
I return tomorrow for this month's three-day blogging stint and invite you to join the merriment at Shady's Place. Enjoy the rest of your week and month, good buddy Alex!
Hi, i had a problem with believing one word could be a sentence and make sense. It took me a while to finally see that my characters were talking too much. Hope you had a nice Labor Day. Shalom shalom
I think I read too much as a child to believe there were rules regarding sentences. Or maybe I've always been a rule-breaker!
Grats to Holly!
I'm looking forward to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. I'm glad they got all the same actors to return.
I don't really remember all of the technical terms they tried to teach us: predicates, prepositions, and so on. Maybe it'd be better if I did.
I've been a Transformers fan since almost the beginning but that movie looks too kidsy for me. It seems like it's using a watered down version of some of the comics, especially the IDW ones from the 2010s. I'll probably just wait until it's on Paramount+.
Nick, from the reviews, it's just a rehash of the first one.
Liza, I'm sorry!
Shady, I will be there!
Pat, it does look more for kids than adults.
Excellent point about having to learn to break the rules of formal sentence structure as a writer, especially for dialogue.
I'm curious about the Beetlejuice movie!
Most English classes taught formal or technical writing, not fiction, which I think is where the disconnect came from.
I look forward to Beetlejuice. It will probably be terrible, but I like the people involved so hopefully it will at least distract me for two hours.
Oh yes, sentence structure is out the window. AND the best thing a writer can make up words too!
Right! One-word sentences... I remember that was a big no-no.
Happy Anniversary!
Agreed on Sentence Structure. As even evidenced here lol! That definitely was ingrained in me as well and a hard habit to break. Happy Anniversary and thanks for your continued support!
As a former English teacher, I was both hurt and helped since I also taught English literature. Raymond Chandler helped me with dialogue. His ghost says I owe him royalties!
I've been doing an experiment, writing a short chapter at a time of the novel that will never probably see print, THE GIRL WITH SILVER EYES:
https://rolandyeomans.blogspot.com/2024/09/the-common-enemy-of-man-chapter-fifteen.html
I don't do movies much these days except for TWISTERS. Thanks for visiting and staying to chat.
I've got Speak No Evil on my To Watch list. There's a few movies I'm actually looking forward to, but I'm also not getting my hopes. I've been burned lately on my movie selections.
One word sentences. You gotta love 'em...
Relaxing those rules takes some doing. After all, teachers have had a lot of years to drum them in. Glad you overcame the ones that could block a good story.
It's great to see Holly's book out and about!
Looking for some good movies. Thanks, Alex.
Thirteen years!! We're now teenagers! I think I came onboard shortly thereafter at the prompting from my critique group/friends. Never regretted it!!
Happy Anniversary IWSG!
One word sentences. I used to doubt whether it was fine to do that. If I should show more by writing a longer sentence. Not anymore. It works, makes the writing tighter and sometimes that's all that's needed.
Loved watching BeetleJuice growing up so I'm 50/50 about watching this sequel. Other than that there's no upcoming movies in 2024, except for the 3rd Venom movie, that I'm interested in.
Congrats on 13 years of sharing our hopes, dreams and fears! I was one of the originals. Thanks for all your support.
I hope Holly's book does well.
You were in a mood when you posted about those movies. LOL Love it!
13 years - wow!
Congrats to Holly.
Happy IWSG Day, Captain! I don't know why my post didn't publish as I'd set it up to. But it's up now.
Everything on your list looks good today! I like the idea of one-word sentences ;-)
Happy 13th IWSG anniversary!
Yeah. You can't use so-called proper grammar for speech especially, as very few people ever talk like that.
A transformers movie under 4 hours would be a miracle lol
I really noticed this when using automated grammar checker software. Dialog was beyond its wildest imaginings, which of course it doesn't have (imagination), and I had to carefully sift the broken rules it marked. Worth it to help me with a few areas I have issues with (because what my early schooling probably screwed up most was in failing to teach me rules).
I'm all about the one word sentences, as long as they're not overused. Thoughts and dialogue tend to live outside the rules because that makes them realistic.
I was interested Megalopolis until that fake quote. Not that I'm a huge movie goer. I tend to wait for everything to hit Netflix.
Well drats. I was hoping for a film worth seeing, but Beetlejuice "isn't awful" doesn't really sell me. Thank you, Alex.
Then again, Holly's book does intrigue me. Perhaps I should get back to my roots and do more reading.
Cheers. Happy September.
Congrats on 13 years!!! IWSG has done a lot of good for a lot of people!
Megalopolis... isn't that the biggest city size in SimCity?
Yes, proper sentence structure and grammar go out the window for dialogue!
"Fine." is a well-understood sentence - with proper intonation. "Honestly." is also well-understood, especially when I place my hands on my hips! This two-word sentence is one of my favorites: "Holy crap!"
Beetlejuice was actually a fun movie to watch back in what - 1988? Not sure of the re-release. Incomplete sentences and chopped dialogue are necessary to keep the action moving forward.
"Bloodstone" sounds good! I'll have to add it to my TBR.
Ronel visiting for IWSG day Adventures in Audio: Recording and Publishing a Podcast
Dialogue should sound like people talking--not necessarily good sentence structure. Narrative should be in good sentence structure. But only if it sounds "right." Does that make sense?
Roland, glad you got out to see that one.
Nancy, we are!
Pat, yes it would.
JE - funny!
Thanks everyone - you made thirteen years possible.
I loved Beetlejuice, not sure I want to see the remake as an adult. Keep the memory alive. Congratulations on developing a wonderful website that supports all writers in every stage of their development. Enjoy your time off and see ya in October.
Oh my goodness---13 years. I'm totally dumfounded. That's incredible. Congratulations.
And thank you so much for the shout out!
Happy anniversary IWSG. It's funny to think it's been around as long as hubby and I have been married.
Happy Anniversary to IWSG and kudos to you, Alex, for forming it;)
Wow, so we have been online friends for 11 years, that's pretty amazing. Big congrats. As for grammar and rules - they all do. I homeschooled my girls here in NZ, with my American rules from my background, and boy did that mess them up, from simple things like the comma in or out of quotes to basic spelling. And now I write two blogs, one with an international audience (the one you know) in British English and a food blog (KibitzSpot.com) with an American audience that is in American English and grammar. I am not sure that answered the question.
I had a great time co-hosting this month. Thanks for the opportunity!
I don't think any writing rules messed me up. I was just so happy to get out of school writing so I could start sentences with conjunctions. And deliberately write sentence fragments. I was very careful in school, but once I was writing for me, I felt free.
None of those movies appeal. I haven't been excited about a movie for a while. And movie theaters around here are mostly in areas I wouldn't visit after dark.
I agree about sentence structure. It is much more fluid in books than in writing lessons.
Love the cover for BLOODSTONE.
Holly, you're welcome!
Patricia, that's wild.
Rhonda, juggling multiple dialects is a challenge.
Yvonne, thanks for helping.
Not sure about BeetleJuice. Though I did like the first one and it still has Michael Keaton in it...
13 years?! Wow! Thanks for creating this amazing community!
Bloodstone sounds great - might have to pick that one up.
Bloodstone sounds like it has an interesting gothic plot. And Happy 13th Anniversary to the IWSG, a number that happens to be a favourite of mine. Well, after all I'm a writer of horror and dark fiction! Lol But seriously, Happy Anniversary! 😊
Being taught proper sentence structure as an absolute stilted my writing too, especially when it was expected in the first draft.
"The director returns to his roots in hopes of creating a film that isn’t awful."
Oh, no. This doesn't bode well, does it?
If I was getting marked on sentence structure in my books, I'd fail! I do so much wrong it's not funny. But the books are more readable for it.
Yes! In fiction, making it feel natural matters more than scoring 100% on a proper grammar quiz. And when we add dialogue? All those rules go even further out the window. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
What - you can't have a one word sentence? haha
I haven't seen any movies lately. It's been that kind of summer.
Wishing you a peaceful week!
I suck at grammar and that might mess me up. I do want to see Beetlejuice. I bet they killed dad off since the actor was charged with child porn. I wonder how they will deal with Geena David and Alec Baldwin not being there. They couldn’t be there anyway since they are older..and Alec’s in jail.
Aw! Look at all these familiar faces here! And Alex, I've missed you, man. I was looking at Holly's book not long ago. Very cool.
Transformers. Do think it's possible they could NOT mess it up, again? I think Bumblebee is the only one they got right. *sigh*
Writing rules... There are so many and some that have changed since school. My struggle was discerning the difference between some British and English spellings. (Gray, grey especially.) :D
Happy Fall - in TX this means we start the morning below eighty degrees. Whew! Now that we aren't crazy from the heat, I can think about English rules. Colons, semi-colons, and hyphens - I personally like using them, but it can be tricky. And nowadays, all rules seem to be out the window, including proper spelling. LOL.
As for movies, new Beetlejuice has good buzz. I wasn't that keen on the original, but maybe my tastes have changed. Otherwise, the fall movie scene does not entice.
Cheers and enjoy your September
Definitely a rule, that needs ditching! Who the bugger goes around speaking only in complete sentences all the time? Not I. Not anyone I know. As proved by these short sentences.
Very good point, captain! and gratz on the anniversary!
Purple prose. In English classes we were always marked on how "expressive" we could be. The more adverbs, adjectives, and words you had to look up in the dictionary, the better. English classes discouraged me from creative writing until I was well into my forties.
Congrats to Holly! I'll eventually pick up her book! As a English teacher I'm very interested in this discussion. I hate how many English teachers won't allow fractured sentences, but they make for great suspense.
Yes, I'm back and have my first return post up. Go me!
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is guaranteed to be better than Dumbo. I saw a preview of Transformers One and will only say it's worth watching.
I think one of them would be using other words instead of "said" and "asked" in dialogue. I used so many other words when it turns out most of the time said and asked are best!
Congrats on the 13th anni! that's seriously awesome.
Interesting anniversary question. I wrote business reports for a long time in my regular job. So I had to unlearn writing in the passive voice used in formal 'business English' and move to active voice and a less formal tone for fiction/poetry, which wasn't easy at first.
Congrats to H. R. Sinclair. Bloodstone sounds intriguing.
Thanks for this great community. As someone going through a lot right now, being part of this community is what's keeping me blogging. Happy 13 years! Thanks for the fun movie previews.
I'm afraid Beetlejuice will be woke garbage. I seriously hope I'm wrong. But, I'll wait until it comes to cable.
Happy anniversary to IWSG! And congrats to H. R. Sinclair.
I don't remember learning any writing rules at school - or if they were taught, I ignored them because I was already pretty sure I knew what I was doing ;-) In seriousness, my schooling fell into a gap where grammar wasn't really taught. My English teacher husband hates it when I start sentences with the words 'and' or 'but'... (conjunctions? See, I'm not even sure about that!)
Transformers One has some star power going for it, doesn't it?
As an English teacher, I tell my students all of the time that they type of writing you do depends on your audience. Here it is in living color, the proof. ;) I have a magical bunch this year. All 7 classes are amazing. Makes up for last year when I did not feel so fortunate. ;) Not sure i'll see any of the new movies that are out. We're in busy season. I know Beetle Juice has generated a lot of buzz though! Have a wonderful day.
New York a utopia. Now that's a novel idea.
I think Megalopolis actually looks interesting, mostly because Mr. Coppola got 100% director freedom to do whatever he wanted to do (as he paid for it). It sometimes makes me wonder: if I had a billion dollars to spend, would I make a self-indulgent movie? It's an interesting thought experiment. Alex, I can't believe it has been thirteen years. Will it still be around in thirteen more?
Oh my goodness, The Exorcist is definitely one of the creepiest movies of all time! I still remember that head twisting!
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