Apparently, no one can write a proper book. Remember to:

-Indent. All you do is hit the space bar five at the beginning of each paragraph.

- Spell properly, obviously. If you're not sure, google it.

- Proper grammar, please. It's "___ and I" not "Me and ____." I just had to say that, but I beg of you, use proper grammar.

- When a new cat speaks, start a new paragraph. example:

"Blah," she growled.

"Blah blah," he retorted.

example:

"Blah," she growled. "Blah blah," he retorted.

- You put thoughts in italics. You . This is so aggravating. NO QUOTES AROUND THE THOUGHTS!

example:

Blah blah blah.

example:

"Blah blah blah."

- To emphasize something in a thought, which is already in italics, put it in the normal font. Ex: Blah blah blah blah blah.

- Punctuate properly

- In a Clan name, the prefix and the word "clan" are capitalized. For example, "RiverClan".

- Places and names are capitalized

Clauses are basically chunks of sentences. There are two types: independent and dependent.

: can stand as a complete sentences on its own.

: cannot stand on its own.

One think that I see a lot is linking two independent clauses together with just a comma. That is incorrect! If you want to link two complete sentences together, use a comma and a connecting word called a conjunction.

You must use this conjunction after the comma.

These words are:

-but

-and

-or

-so

-probably more

: She was hungry, there was no time to eat.

: She was hungry, there was no time to eat.

: Grief flooded her heart, she collapsed to the ground.

: Grief flooded her heart, she collapsed to the ground.

Another thing that I see a lot is improper use of commas, particularly before speech. Unless the speech is a separate sentence on its own, there is almost always a comma. However, these frequently get mixed up.

To keep the regular text and the speech together in one sentence, there must be a comma before the talking. However, it has to be done correctly. To keep them together, and to use the comma, the comma must go after the said or a synonym of that. (Like hissed, growled, whispered, said, etc.)

You cannot put a completely separate sentence, a comma, and then speech.

Good example: He looked away before mumbling, "I'm sorry."

Bad example: He looked away, "I'm sorry."

Good example: She walked closer and said, "Shut up!"

Bad example: She walked closer, "Shut up!"

Also...

Your and you're:

Your is possessive (Ex: Your cat, your dog, your hair)

You're is a contraction for "you are" (Ex: You're beautiful, you're annoying, you're welcome). Bad example: Your beautiful.

There, they're, and their:

There is a place. (Ex: She lives there)

Their is possessive. (Ex: That is their decision)

They're is a contraction for "they are." (Ex: They're harmless)

When to Use an Apostrophe

Apostrophes are mainly used in contractions. Contractions are combinations of two words. A rule of thumb is to put the apostrophe where the missing letter goes. Here are some examples of contractions:

• Can't | cannot (As you can see, the apostrophe is where the "o" used to be)

• Don't | do not

• Won't | will not

• They're | they are

• You're | you are

• I'm | I am

• I'll | I will

• Shouldn't | Should not

• Shouldn't've | Should not have

• It's | It is

If you are combining two words like that, use am apostrophe!

You should also use an apostrophe for a possessive. However, there are exceptions that can be confusing. Here are some examples:

• Footface's face...

• Tailhead's head...

• Butterflyface's eyes...

Here is when you SHOULD NOT use an apostrophe for a possessive:

• Hers

• Yours

• Its

• Theirs

Apostrophes don't go with pronouns.

I'm obsessed with proper grammar and spelling. Feel free to ask if you have any questions!