Rob Bignell's Blog, page 202

Contrasting Different From vs. Different Than

Sometimes writers struggle over which of these two phrases to use. One definitely is better than the other �� usually.

Different from means ��to contrast two things.�� For example, if you wanted to show how one football team is strikingly dissimilar to another team, you might write The Los Angeles Rams play an offensive scheme that is different from the New York Giants.

Different than also means ��to contrast��; the two words in the phrase often are split, as in Steve took a different approach to his science project than Mike did.

Traditionally, most editors prefer different from over different than if only because the latter phrase is split. Because of this, different from is far common in writing than different than. Sometimes though, different than actually results in a shorter, more clear sentence. For example, if the above example sentence for different than were written with different from, it would read as, Steve took an approach to his science project different from that used by Mike.

I recommend using different from, but in cases where you can avoid clunky sentences, go with different than.

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. I can provide that second eye.

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Published on September 19, 2018 04:45

8 Tips For Creating a Great Protagonist

�� Constructing your story��s main character
�� How to create a memorable protagonist
�� How NOT to create a protagonist
�� How to make your main character likable
�� Create main character that readers bond with
�� Hint at protagonist's intentions on opening page
�� Allow main character to experience crisis of faith
�� Always involve main character in story ending
�� BONUS: "First, find out what your hero wants, then just follow him!" �� Ray Bradbury

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. I can provide that second eye.

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Published on September 18, 2018 04:45

7 Alternative Ways to Plot Your Story

�� Ways to break story structure
�� Episodic fiction
�� Diary form
�� Search for a "macguffin"
�� Fate plot
�� Three-act structure
�� The Journey for a mythic plot
�� Frame story
�� BONUS: "If they give you ruled paper, write the other way." - Juan Ramon Jimenez

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. I can provide that second eye.

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Published on September 17, 2018 04:45

5 Great Quotations about Passion for Writing

��Ink, a Drug.�� - Vladimir Nabokov

��I��m only really alive when I��m writing.�� - Tennessee Williams

��It seemed to me that if I didn��t write, I would disappear.�� - Frederick Seidel

��I read the way a person might swim, to save his or her life. I wrote that way too.�� - Mary Oliver

��You need the devotion to your work that a priest of God has for his.�� - Ernest Hemingway

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. I can provide that second eye.

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Published on September 16, 2018 05:16

Every success story begins with a dream. If you dream of...

Every success story begins with a dream. If you dream of being a professional, published author, that success story requires believing in yourself and in knowing that your efforts will lead to triumph. Read the motivational blog entry this quotation came from by clicking on the quote card.

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. I can provide that second eye.

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Published on September 15, 2018 04:45

What You Must Know to Write an Author's Bio

�� How to write an author's bio
�� Pay attention to your author's bio pic
�� BONUS: ��The biggest threat to authors in this age is not plagiarism or poverty, it��s obscurity.��

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. I can provide that second eye.

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Published on September 14, 2018 05:00

13 Tips on Setting up a Self-Publishing Business

�� To self-publish or not to self-publish?
�� What is an "imprint" in self-publishing?
�� You've self-published? You're a sole proprietor!
�� Do self-published writers need a business plan?
�� Elements of creating a successful book business
�� Value of creating your own publishing company
�� What to name your publishing company
�� Does a self-published author need to incorporate?
�� When to file Fictitious Business Name Statement
�� Do self-published writers need business mailbox?
�� Should you ever co-write your book?
�� Co-authors can form "general partnership"
�� Should you buy publisher's insurance?
�� BONUS: Five Great Quotations about Business of Writing

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. I can provide that second eye.

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Published on September 13, 2018 04:45

Getting the whole answer: Comprise vs. Compose

Writers often confuse words with closely related meanings and similar spellings. Comprise and compose are among them.

Comprise is a verb that means ��includes�� or ��consists of.�� For example, Canada comprises 10 provinces.

Compose also is a verb and means ��to make up the parts of.�� To wit, Ten provinces compose Canada.

You��ll notice that in both of the given examples, the sentences are in active voice. You can create a passive voice structure for compose through is composed of as in Canada is composed of 10 provinces. The active voice version of the verb, however, makes for tighter writing.

And while some writers use is comprised of (Canada is comprised of 10 provinces) , it��s generally frowned upon. The Chicago Manual of Style calls it poor usage while The AP Stylebook forbids the structure.

A way to remember the difference between the words is comprise follows the structure of ��whole to parts�� while compose is ��parts to whole.��

Professional Book Editor: Having your novel, short story or nonfiction manuscript proofread or edited before submitting it can prove invaluable. In an economic climate where you face heavy competition, your writing needs a second eye to give you the edge. I can provide that second eye.

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