Writers all have one thing in common; we love to write. Even when we’re not thrilled and can get quite frustrated when ideas aren’t flowing, if someone were to ask us what we love to do, we don’t hesitate; we blurt out, “writing!.” But, one thing that I wouldn’t have guessed would be commonly overlooked is how those written words appear on paper. It’s disheartening that not all writers put forth the effort to perfect the written word.

True, the fun part of writing is coming up with a great idea and turning that into an exciting novel. However, if words are used improperly or the sentences lack basic grammar, punctuation, and structure, it can take a great idea and make it look like it’s been dragged through the mud.

Keep the following points in mind next time you put pen to paper.

• If you want your work to be accepted by publishers or to garner a following of readers, your grammar MUST BE up to par.
• Publishers get many submissions and weak writing gets tossed right in the can.
• Authors are judged by the way they write and by their command of the english language.
• To gain readers trust, you must pay strict attention to grammar.
• Nothing is more distracting and frustrating to a reader than a work full of poor writing and grammatical errors.

So, my advice to you, if you’re looking to be a successful, good writer, is to take every free or low-cost course on grammar, punctuating, and proofreading you can find. Some fantastic cheap or free courses on Udemy can help every writer, no matter your skill level.

The next time you have a great story idea, don’t just put thought into the story structure. Put as much, if not more, thought into your grammar and structure. It can go a long way. Happy writing! Gina