Wow! September already? I'm okay with that because fall is my favorite season and it's happening this month! There are so many fun things to do when fall arrives!
Life Update
Our chicken run is almost complete and with any luck, our chicks should be headed outside by the end of the week. I'm sure they're going to have the best time with so much more room to run around and do crazy chicken things.
This month is back-to-school month for our homeschool year. We have lots of field trips planned! My favorite part of being able to homeschool is all the hands-on learning. I don't know about you, but I personally learn quicker and easier when I can actually do something rather than reading and taking notes. I'm so glad my daughter gets to have this experience, too.
I'm staying busy proofreading devotionals for Barbour Publishing. They have the prettiest and most interesting devotionals! If you're looking for Christmas gifts, be sure to check them out.
This Month's Writing Tip
Avoid these common mistakes when writing sentences:
· Avoid using sentence fragments, that lack a subject, verb, or both.
· Steer clear of run-on sentences, which occur when independent clauses are not properly separated with punctuation or conjunctions.
· Use parallelism to create balance and clarity in your writing; avoid mixing different grammatical structures.
· Don't overuse adjectives or adverbs, which can make writing seem repetitive and dull.
· Use active voice instead of passive voice to make your writing more direct and impactful.
· Beware of confusing homophones, such as “there”, “they’re”, and “their”.
· Be careful not to misuse apostrophes.
By keeping these common mistakes in mind and taking steps to avoid them, you can produce writing that is clear, engaging, and effective.
For more info on mastering sentence structure, read my blog post.
Affiliate of the Month
momAgenda has planners for busy moms that can be used at the office and at home. They also have amazing bundles that come with everything you need, such as planners, bookmarks, meal planners, and so much more!
momAgenda was born when Nina Restieri had a dream of helping busy moms plan their everyday lives. She has grown her business to include a diversified range of products. You can buy momAgenda products at retailers, boutiques, and online.
This Month's Writing Prompt
Write a short scene where two characters are arguing. Your goal is to vary your sentence structure as much as possible. Use a mix of simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. Pay attention to the rhythm and flow of your writing, ensuring that the sentence structure reflects the intensity and emotional shifts in the argument.
After writing, review your work and identify the different sentence types you've used. Consider how the structure impacts the mood and clarity of the scene.
Author Interviews
Would you like to be featured in my new series, "Questions With an Author"?
If so, respond to this email and let me know! I'll send you the questions, you answer them and send them back, and you'll be featured in one of my posts!
Need help with your manuscript?
Did you know that literary agents reject 90% of manuscripts? One of those reasons is poor writing quality.
Grammar errors, typos, and inconsistencies make your book look unprofessional. Sadly, nobody likes to read a book full of errors because it's too distracting.
No matter which type of publishing you choose - traditional or self - hiring a professional proofreader will help ensure your work is polished and ready for bookshelves.
To learn more about what proofreading involves, check out my services page. When you're ready for a proofreader, I would love to chat!
See you next month!
Michelle
"God has given each of you a gift. Use it to help each other. This will show God’s loving-favor." 1 Peter 4:10
