Along with working on full-length novels, many of us write
articles for blogs or magazines (online or print). We cross over because we
enjoy writing shorter and different pieces, and we’re also trying to build our
platform/presence in the reading/publishing communities.
As a freelance editor, I see common mistakes made by writers
who move between working on their manuscripts and publishing articles. You see,
the guidelines/rules applied in those two worlds don’t always agree.
When it comes to publishing novels, guidelines from The
Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) and The Christian Writers Manual
of Style (CWMS) are used. Guidelines for articles are found in the Associated
Press Stylebook (AP).
It would be nice and easier for us if these three books agreed
on everything. But no—nada—they don’t. So, it’s up to us to make sure that we
use the right style book and guidelines for what we’re writing.
I’ve given some examples of differences below. Do you have
any others that you can share?
~ Dawn
Tip # 1:
Commas
Novels
and Short Stories
In a series of three or more elements, separate
the elements by commas.
Example: Sharon
made a salad that included fresh watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, and
grapes.
Articles
Serial
commas are not used unless leaving out the comma before and (or another conjunction) would cause confusion.
Example: Peter
took his sons to the baseball game and fed them hotdogs, popcorn and peanuts.
Tip # 2:
Titles to Works
Novels
and Short Stories
Large works that can be subdivided into small
components should be italicized (titles of books, movies, plays, and TV
programs). Smaller, stand-alone works should be in quotation marks (song
titles, short stories, poem titles, episode titles).
Example: The
last book I read was Short-Straw Bride,
the last movie I saw in the theater was The
Avengers, and today’s Seriously Write post is “Self-editing Tips: Novels
vs. Articles.”
Articles
All
composition titles (including books, movies, plays, poems songs, TV programs, etc.) should be in quotation marks (not italics). Exceptions are the Bible and reference materials (almanac, dictionaries, encyclopedias and
hand books).
Example: I would
like to see the movie “The Hunger Games.” Taylor Swift sings a beautiful and
haunting song on the soundtrack called “Safe and Sound.”
Tip #3:
Numbers
Novels
and Short Stories
Spell out whole numbers one through one hundred,
round numbers (hundreds, thousands, millions), numbers referring to someone’s
age, and any number beginning a sentence. Use numerals for all other numbers.
Example: When
my dad turns eighty on July 28, grandkids from thousands of miles away will be
attending his surprise party.
Articles
Spell
out whole numbers below 10; use numerals for 10 and above. Use numerals for ages
of people and animals.
Example: My 80-year-old
dad has three children and six grandchildren, but if you include all the spouses, he has 17 children and grandchildren combined.
