The Ailments of Style

If you like writing, you may know what style is. If not, it is simply an expression of the words you have on paper: the way a manuscript is formatted (ie, paragraph indents, chapter lengths), spelling, grammar, and punctuation. There are certain elements of style that are often overlooked, from the correct use of a comma, to the syntax of a sentence. Consider this example:

He watched a lion eating a chocolate bar.

Who exactly, is eating the chocolate bar: the lion?

During my lifetime, I have written eighteen novels. A half dozen of these are lost forever through hard drive failures and misplaced manuscripts. Each novel teaches. Each sentence is absorbed into the psyche, and as more and more words flow out, so do routines, good and bad. The love of writing isn’t without difficulty. A writer needs to know how to use punctuation, how to spell, and the correct use of grammar. I didn’t care much about these things when I first started to write novels. I just wanted to write, and technicalities like grammar didn’t interest me. My first novel took nine days to write, and hit the 120,000 word count. It was riddled with errors. A few years ago, I started to care and wanted to refine my style.

So, when is it more advantageous to use a semi colon instead of a comma or full stop? Not all novelists have the same style, although there are common traits. When I read a book, I find that a spelling mistake makes my brow twitch. Poor grammar will make me read faster, to find a better hook in the prose (and if it is very bad, I may skip the entire sentence or paragraph). Bad punctuation will frustrate the hell out of me. Consider this:

They are all yellow the sun a lemon and an autumnal leaf.

Wha …? Who agrees that the above sentence is difficult to read?

They are all yellow: the sun, a lemon, and an autumnal leaf.

The sentence is a poor one regardless, but the use of punctuation makes it better. The colon indicates there is a list to follow. Each member in the list is succeeded by a comma. The conjunction (‘and’) is no reason to omit a comma, because each member of the list is separate (at school, I was taught that the word ‘and’ replaces a comma. The hell it does!) Each comma is a pause, and the sentence is much more readable. The comma, regardless of the word ‘and’, adds to the rhythm of a sentence.

Punctuation is also great for pace. Using what I have said before, consider the following:

One, two, three, four.

We are counting, right? There is a brief pause after each list item. There are four apples, four dead bodies, four seconds until I come out and play hide and seek. Now:

One, two, three and four.

What is this? A dance step? We’re still counting, right? If this was dialogue, would the tone of voice differ over each word? Why is there no comma after the word ‘three’? It changes how a reader perceives the sentence.

So. We have already broken our first rule about commas, but it is still style, and all style is dependent upon is how one is trying to reach their audience. By using simple rules, we can ensure readable prose, and we don’t inadvertently put a comma outside of a quotation mark, or a comma after an exclamation. Of course, like many rules, there are exceptions and at times, the wrong use of punctuation gives greater effect to a sentence. What I am saying, is that one should learn the rules before one understands the better use of breaking them.

I believe the key to style is punctuation. It is the ringmaster of style, but all the other players still have an important job.

There are two things an aspiring writer like me must do: read and write. Writing gives experience; reading allows one to absorb different styles, ideas, and methodologies. Not all novels are created equal, and a writer ought to pay attention when reading a novel. Constant style not only enhances the readability of a manuscript; it provides consistency. A by-product of wide reading will enhance one’s knowledge on the variations of style, both modern and past. Charles Dickens’s style, for example, is different than my own. I would loathe writing sentences that don’t use full stops for as long as some of Dickens’s work.

Oliver Twist is a very good example. There are frequent long paragraph without full stops, but they are carved with other marks of punctuation. I haven’t read a modern novel that uses such exhaustive sentences. Was Dickens right in not using full stops? In the modern novel, pace can be amplified by a constant use of full stops. His style was different, but very easy to read, even the huge sentences.

People talk about prose having a pulse, a rhythm, or a beat. Stephen King mentioned it in his book ‘On Writing’, as have others. It is not only the way in which the sentence is written, but the style that affects that sentence. Perfect prose sings, and even songs need to be punctuated.

Whatever thoughts you have about style, it is worthwhile spending time to consider the above information in conjunction with your own writing practices. Of course, this depends on the publisher, too, as they may have their own style guide that a writer must adhere to.

Due to the numerous variations in punctuation and style, I am constantly developing my own style guide. It conforms to what appears to be naturally accepted, but it also entertains my own personal style of writing. For example, using a comma after a list item unless the rule needs to be broken.

Back to Dickens. Another thing that made my brow twitch were words used instead of ‘said’. For example:

“I don’t care!” he ejaculated.

Oh no! One of the greatest writers of our time makes its characters ejaculate dialogue. Perhaps in his day, it was commonly accepted. I don’t know, nor do I care. My style guide has a rule for this:

Said, replied, asked

Approximately 95% of dialogue should use said, replied, asked, or to be left blank when telling the reader who is speaking.

Examples:
“I think you’re hot,” said Bill.
“You’re an idiot,” Mary replied.
“Am not.”
“Are.”
“Do you really think I’m an idiot?” Bill asked, stroking his nose with a thumb.

Now, I did say 95%, because there are situations where other words should be used, ie, ‘he shouted’, ‘he demanded’, etc, but most should be said, replied, asked. Sometimes, nothing is warranted.

Well, these are just a few thoughts on style and specifically punctuation. It is interesting, and it is difficult for a new writer to come to grips with, but remember that rule No. 1 on writing will never ever ever ever ever change.

What is rule number 1 for a writer?

One of my favourite singers is Tina Arena. Such a beautiful voice. I could listen to it all day. In her song Burn, she sings, ‘If you want to be a poet, then write’.

So. Rule number 1 for a writer: ‘If you want to be a writer, then write’. It isn’t about learning to write. You don’t learn to write by reading how to do it. No cricketer plays for his country because he read a thousand books on how to play cricket. He played cricket, and he ‘got good’.

Convert to DVD from WMC (Windows Media Center)

Article 2 of 2: CONVERTING FROM WMC TO DVD

In a previous article, I explained how to connect a VCR/VHS recorder to the computer and record tapes through Windows Media Center (WMC). This article takes it a step further and describes how to convert the saved file to a DVD.

Windows Media Center saves file in a format called ‘dvr-ms’ which many users have found difficult converting. You may be aware that WMC has the option to burn to DVD, but it does not have an option to edit the file for later use.

I used to struggle manipulating a dvr-ms file in my video editing software. I found that most programs were slow and even crashed when trying to do most things, even simple tasks, like trimming a video. Trimming is the process of cutting out the bit at the beginning and end of a video that you don’t need, like credits, for example. If you record TV programs, you may also want to cut out advertisements, too, before burning it to a DVD. This process is called ‘multi-trimming’.

There are a number of automated software programs that do this for you, but at least in my experience, they don’t work very well. Some leave in adverts and delete the movie (what’s the point in that, right?) I prefer to remove adverts manually.

In our example, we have a file called Stargate.dvr-ms. There are essentially three parts of the process: convert to a MPEG file (much easier to edit, and quicker, too), edit the MPEG, then finally, convert to a DVD. Much of it is dependent upon the software you have on your computer, but if you don’t have adequate software, go to www.google.com and search “freeware mpeg editor” or similar, “freeware mpeg to dvd converter”. Choose one to your liking. I have a fully functional version on Womble and have need for little else.

Step 1: Convert Stargate.dvr-ms to Stargate.mpg

1. You need to download and install DVRMSToolbox (check) here …..
2. After installing, run the program.
3. Double click the empty text box titled ‘Input File, and browse to the folder where Stargate.dvr-ms is located. Select it.
4. Double click the empty textbox titled ‘Output File’, and type in the new file name.
5. Click XXRun. The file will be converted to the much more manageable MPEG format.

Step 2: Trim/Multitrim the video

1. This step is a little more difficult, because I can’t see what you are doing, but they are essentially the same. First, load in your video to edit (Stargate.mpg).
2. After loading, go to the first point where you want to start deleting/trimming video.
3. Select ‘mark in’
4. Go to the point in the movie where you want to stop your selection, and click ‘mark out’.
5. There are usually a pair of scissors or a ‘cut’ button. Clicking this will delete the selection discussed above.
6. Repeat these steps for each section of the video you want to remove (ie, advertisements, credits, etc).

Step 3: Save the file or convert to DVD

1. Most programs that allow editing MPEG files allow you to save to MPEG. If you have many files to put on the same DVD, then save it as a MPEG for future loading.
2. Some programs allow you to save directly to a DVD.

If you can’t find a program to convert a MPEG file to a DVD, browse Google for a freeware program. There are literally dozens, even hundreds, to choose from. We’re all different and want different results. Some people want to convert just the DVD; others wish to edit the file further and add various visual and audio effects. Just make sure that the program is free, and you don’t pay anything. Many legally free programs are just as good as its commercial counterpart. Consider for example, AutoGordianKnot, a freeware program that converts DVD to avi format. It’s the best bar none, or Comodo Firewall: the best firewall for Windows you will ever find, again, free with no strings attached.

The internet is a wonderful place to find fully functional free programs. I have never paid for software over the last five years, because the free, legal software is just as good as the commercial. If you buy a new computer, you may also find that it is pre-loaded with trial and fully-functional software as well as an operating system.

I hope this article explains enough to convert your file to DVD. Drop me a line and let me know, either as a comment or e-mail via my webpage link. If you know of any good freeware mpeg editors that multi-trim and convert to DVD, I’ll check it out and put it on my software page (help me help others).

Book Review: The Chosen Child by Graham Masterton (1997)

This article is not as much a review as it is looking at slants of the story and how the story resonates. Graham Masterton keeps pumping out great stories for us all to read, and The Chosen Child is one of my favourite Masterton stories. Set in Poland, he delivers on giving us an experience in an unfamiliar country, making it familiar.

In usual Masterton style, he absorbs the reader into his world quickly, and keeps us there. As usual, his prose is remarkable and poetic. Recently, I made comment that it sings. The characters are real and easy to identify with. I always prefer the bad guy, and Masterton conjures up a realistic thug nicknamed the Hook. The conflicts he produces are rich and natural, and by throwing in an historical evil sets this story on fire.

One of the novel’s main strengths is its main female character, Sarah Leonard, a hotel executive from America with one goal: to assure the timely construction of The Senate International Hotel in Poland. This novel, however, is different on many levels, and with so much character interaction, Masterton makes sure he doesn’t lose the reader by complexity of the plot and developing stories, not only of the novel, but of its characters.

There is plenty of mayhem including an arm ripped off through a letterbox, a slice-n-dice cabaret in nearby sewers, beheadings, and exorcists that hide under the table when he realizes he is actually dealing with a demon (this particular scene drives home the power of superstition in the context of the novel). He truly is a master of telling great stories.

The novel is composed of many different storylines that are entwined together and tied up at the end, including a preferred outcome for one of the bad guys who got his just deserts. At the heart of the novel, is komisarz Rej, a policeman who can’t let go of Poland’s communist past, in fact, resents the country’s development. He can’t change and doesn’t want to, but this stubborn streak, despite the fact it made him flawed, serves him throughout the novel.

Rej comes across as not only honest, but much more real than if he adapted. His character development is interesting. As one reads, one always hopes he can change in some ways so that he could capture the heart of Sarah Leonard. Can the high-powered executive Sarah be with him, or are they destined to be too different to be together?

This story may be categorized as a horror, but it is also a romance and thriller. Central to the plot is, in Masterton’s classical style, an apparently evil monster that Rej, Sarah, and a handful of friends must stop. With obstacles such as Roman Zboinski and his gang of henchmen, can Rej find a way to find and stop the Executioner, or will the Executioner get to them first? What is it in Sarah’s past that haunts her now.

This novel feels like a one-off, but I would like to see Rej back in a future novel. He is the kind of character that stays with you a while, not because of his typical characteristics, but because he is just as dogged and rough as the history he wants to bring back.