I do a lot of my writing in a lot of different word processing programs. I use MS Word, but it makes me feel like I am behind the times when I do. I use Scrivener because it is cool and then there are the hundreds of iPad word processing programs that I am still shifting through. I have one wish for all those programs though…that they would help with punctuation.
MS Word says that it does but that is a lie. It helps with spelling for the most part but when it comes to grammar and punctuation the program is random at best. Scrivener does a little as well but it is also random. It makes me wonder why a program can’t be created that helps with punctuation and grammar all the time…wouldn’t that be great.
I am not horrible when it comes to punctuation but, as I admitted before, I am comma dysfunctional. And every now and again I will put the period in the wrong place when using quotes…I think that is a doing things too fast issue. The thing is; all writers make mistakes. Those who tell you they don’t are self-righteous idiots. Either you are typing too fast, not paying attention or you just plain have some area of punctuation that you lack in, (such as my comma thing) but all writers do it. That doesn’t make you a bad writer…it makes you human…
Until they create that program that takes care of the punctuation for all of us, we, as writers, have to practice good editing and slow down a bit. We have to make sure that we are mindful of the areas where we lack and make up for that with some good reading skills. Practice makes perfect sometimes but, at other times, just pay attention. Hopefully, one day some lowly programmer will hear our cries and come to the rescue of those poor clubbing seals….
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