Planning on starting a Novel but first...

Don't know if this is the right section for this question anyway here it goes.

I am planning on making a novel but Im not a grammar expert am I still eligible to write ?

Thanks

Hiya!

Don't think I've seen you around before. Welcome to YWS!

When it comes to grammar, you can still write and not be an expert. Just be sure to go over your work with a fine-toothed comb before you send it off to any publishers. They'll excuse some grammar errors and fix them (if they decide to publish your novel) but a lot of major errors will be like a red flag to them.

However, if you're just doing this for fun, grammar is no problem at all. ^_^

A good place to start with grammar is the study-guide section of a large bookstore. They'll have books on grammar. Or, the writing section can have books like that. Usually, the slimmer they are, the more to the point they are.

You can also check out the Grammar section in the Knowledge Base (found by right-clicking on "resources" in the header)

Hope this helps!

~Rosey

You're always eligible to write a novel
But like Rosie said, if you're planning on trying to get it published, maybe have someone you know and trust look over it first before you start sending it out so you can get last minute errors fixed.

-Carly

((You should introduce yourself over in the welcome thread. My fellow Greeters (Blue People) want to say hello! ))

Hey Vo ^^ Welcome to YWS!

Starting a novel, eh? That's great! Good thing you came to the YWS.

The best thing to do is to learn proper grammar (and punctuation always helps so you don't have run-on sentences ^^)

The reason I'm saying this is because it's always best to think with proper grammar. If you can't think with proper grammar, you won't be able to write with proper grammar.

Learning grammar is simple! It's always better to hear someone say
"You learned about me really well" rather than
"You learned me real good"

Like Rosey said, go to the library or the bookstore's study section and look up a grammar book. It'll be very useful for anyone who wants to learn about the mechanics of the english language ^^ Reading books (not comics) is really helpful ,also.

You can go ahead and write a novel without knowing proper grammar, but why would someone want to publish with an author who doesn't know the basics of english? And also, how would they know if the bad grammar is just the author or if it's the character? What if your character is meant to speak with bad grammar? They won't be able to tell the difference.

Of course you can write a story! But you have to try your best to make it as grammatically correct as you possibly can. And after that, have a friend who's good in English to look it over and proofread it.

If you want to get it published, you'll need more than one proofreader since sometimes, people miss things. So yeah, of course you're eligible to write it. ^__^

Hi there! Welcome!

Of course, please write a novel so we can all read it! After all, that's what YWS is about. But proper English grammar and punctuation is a must if you want to be a serious writer. It indicates your commitment to writing and your professional intentions. Too many readers, agents and editors see sloppy English in manuscripts or on literature sites such as this, and it will make them turn their noses up at your writing, no matter how brilliant it is. First impressions are key.

If you're writing out a first draft, use abbreviations if it helps, but please don't by any means include them in the final submission, to here or anywhere else - it looks lazy. Again, first impressions matter. Try to avoid complex sentences if you're having syntax trouble: many successful authors use spare, clean, direct prose that effectively communicates their message.

A final note: you will notice in some cases that authors do not stick to the ordinary conventions of the English language - the poet e.e. cummings is a case in point. These are sophisticated writers who break the 'rules' to achieve a particular effect. By all means attempt to learn from them, but you must know the rulebook before you can throw it out the window!

Hope this helps!

Gahks

P.S. You say you're 31, so you might be a bit old to be on this site. I would suggest joining The Writers' Society (for adults), but feel free to ask me for advice if you need it.

There are many websites, articles, and books out there that can help you improve you grammar.