Category Archives: Accuracy in Editing

Fictional Character Development Techniques

Posted on March 25, 2015 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

When people learn that I write fiction, they often ask how I develop the concepts for my main characters. The answer is simple: from observing people in their everyday lives. The long answer, however, is much more complex. While it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, Accuracy in Editing, Accuracy in Writing, All About Writing, Better Fictional Character Development, Blog Writers, Blogging, Character development, Character Development Techniques, Characteristics of a Fictional Character, Counterfeit Drugs and the Internet, Creating Interesting Fiction Characters, Developing Better Writing Skills, Developing Effective and Compelling Fictional Heroes, Developing Writing Skills, Fictional Character Development, Growing As A Writer, Learning the Art of Writing, Pharmacists as Protagonists, Protagonist Development, Steps to Developing Great Fictional Characters, The Art of Storytelling, The Art of Writing, Writing Skills | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Warm Wishes and Holiday Cheer

Posted on December 24, 2014 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Last year around this time, I wrote a couple of short stories with Christmas themes. I was pleased that both got published in seasonal anthologies. One of those stories, Santa’s Secret Helper, was . . . well, it was sort … Continue reading →

Posted in A Christmas Greeting, A Holiday Wish, A Twisted Christmas Short Story, A Twisted Holiday Short Story, About James J. Murray, Accuracy in Editing, Argentinian Yerba Mate Tea, Benefits of Yerba Mate Tea, Blog Writers, Blogging, Christmas Anthology, Christmas Short Stories, Christmas Themed Blog, Happy Holidays, Holiday Cheer, Holiday Fiction, Holiday Short Stories, Popular Stimulant Drinks, Prescription For Murder Blog, Seasons' Greetings, Yerba Mate Tea, Yerba Mate Tea Drinking Practices, Yerba Mate Tea Drinking Rituals | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Apostrophes And Their Use With Proper Nouns

Posted on May 21, 2014 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

This may seem like a silly subject to write about, but I must admit that I’ve had trouble using the apostrophe appropriately in the past, especially regarding its use with proper nouns that end in “s”. It’s become a personal … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, Accuracy in Editing, Accuracy in Writing, Achieving Perfection, All About Writing, Apostrophe Use, Apostrophe Use with Nouns Ending in S, Apostrophe Use with Plural Nouns Ending in S, Apostrophes and Proper Nouns, Appropriate Apostrophe Use, Blog Writers, Blogging, Chicago Manual of Style and Apostrophes, Developing a Writing Career, Developing Better Writing Skills, Developing Writing Skills, Grammar and Punctuation, Growing As A Writer, New Life Goals, Obsession with Proper Usage of the English Language, Proper Punctuation in Writing, Proper Use of Apostrophes, The AP Style and Apostrophes, The Art of Writing, The Associated Press Rules for Apostrophes, The Misuse of Apostrophes, The Misuse of Apostrophes with Nouns Ending in S, Tools of Fiction Writing, Writing Skills | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Commas, Em Dashes, and Ellipses—And Their Proper Use!

Posted on April 30, 2014 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

In last week’s blog, I explained how to properly use the three types of dashes in writing. Today, I’d like to further the discussion on punctuation marks that are used specifically to clarify or to emphasize a point. They are … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, Accuracy in Editing, Accuracy in Writing, Achieving Perfection, All About Writing, AP Style of Ellipsis, Blog Writers, Blogging, Chicago Style of Ellipsis, Comma Use, Developing a Writing Career, Developing Better Writing Skills, Developing Writing Skills, Difference Between Commas, Ellipses Use, Ellipsis Use, Em Dash Use, Em Dashes and Ellipses, En Dashes and Em Dashes, Grammar and Punctuation, Growing As A Writer, How to Use Commas Properly, How To Use Ellipses Properly, How to Use Em Dashes Properly, Hyphens, Hyphens and Dashes, Hyphens and Dashes and Their Misuse, Mastering Your Craft, Obsession with Proper Usage of the English Language, Proper Punctuation in Writing, Proper use of Commas, Proper Use of the Written Word, Styles of Ellypsis, The Art of Writing, The Difference Between Hyphens, The Proper Use of Hyphens and Dashes, Tools of Fiction Writing, Use of Dashes, Use of Hyphens, Writing Skills, Writing Techniques | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Hyphens and Dashes – The Dread of Misuse!

Posted on April 23, 2014 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

Hyphens and dashes are two distinctly different punctuation marks and a proper understanding of each will avoid embarrassing mistakes in your writing. Will anyone get MURDERED as a result of using the wrong one in the wrong place? No, but … Continue reading →

Posted in About James J. Murray, About Writing, Accuracy in Editing, Accuracy in Writing, Achieving Perfection, All About Writing, Blog Writers, Blogging, Developing a Writing Career, Developing Better Writing Skills, Developing Writing Skills, Dreaded Misuse of Hyphens and Dashes, En Dashes and Em Dashes, Grammar and Punctuation, Hyphens, Hyphens and Dashes, Hyphens and Dashes and Their Misuse, Obsession with Proper Usage of the English Language, Proper Punctuation in Writing, Proper Use of the Written Word, Punctuation Marks, Punctuation Rules, The Art of Writing, The Proper Use of Hyphens and Dashes, Tools of Fiction Writing, Use of Dashes, Use of Hyphens, Writing Skills, Writing Techniques | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Anal-Retentive

Posted on November 13, 2013 by James J. Murray, Fiction Writer

As I continue my journey into the world of writing and publishing, I come across unique individuals whom I admire and take special care to listen to their opinions. Debs McCrary is one of those people. Debs is in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Accuracy in Editing, Accuracy in Writing, Anal-Retentive, Anal-Retentive in Writing, Debs McCrary, Grammar and Punctuation, Obsession with Proper Usage of the English Language, Printing Accuracy, Proper Use of the Written Word | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments