It’s National Grammar Day!

It’s National Grammar Day, a day to focus on the intricacies that make our language move from base communication to really meaning something. If you’re a writer and NOT a listener or fan of Grammar Girl, you are missing out on some free and useful education designed to make you a better writer.

Grammar is one of the little tools that will make you stand out among other writers. While they think that their story is king and an editor will fix their bad grammar, editors look at their stories and despair, seeing not only a pile of busy work ahead of them, but also realize they’re working with someone who isn’t a professional. Grammar is a tool with which you create your craft. It’s not something boring to waste time learning. All other professionals take pride in having good tools. My hairstylist has scissors that are so well made they’re over $100. Professional carpenters take care of their tools. If you have crappy tools, all the experience and skill in the world won’t help you create. And what’s cool about grammar- it’s free.

So check out National Grammar Day and subscribe to Grammar Girl’s podcast, and see if there’s something out there you can learn. The better you are with grammar, the more professional you look, and the better you look to editors and agents.