Confession: I used to be something like a teacher's pet when I was querying agents. I followed the rules rigorously and didn't even think there was an alternative to it.
However...when I started self-publishing, I have to say that's when I've really found my voice. I've made conscious decisions to break certain rules, and I don't regret doing so because, in a way, those "violations" are also what made my writing distinct from other people's works, in good and bad ways (subject to personal opinion of critics, reviewers, and readers).
That said, we come back to this new mini-series of posts that I thought would benefit you guys. If you're like me when I first started, you have this bone-deep need to please everyone with your writing - to the point that you'll end up losing sight of what you want to say with your story and how you want to say it.
Note: The Writing Rule Violations series is for you to see the alternative to blindly following the usual rules for writing. It is NOT meant to encourage you to violate them.
However...when I started self-publishing, I have to say that's when I've really found my voice. I've made conscious decisions to break certain rules, and I don't regret doing so because, in a way, those "violations" are also what made my writing distinct from other people's works, in good and bad ways (subject to personal opinion of critics, reviewers, and readers).
That said, we come back to this new mini-series of posts that I thought would benefit you guys. If you're like me when I first started, you have this bone-deep need to please everyone with your writing - to the point that you'll end up losing sight of what you want to say with your story and how you want to say it.
Note: The Writing Rule Violations series is for you to see the alternative to blindly following the usual rules for writing. It is NOT meant to encourage you to violate them.
First, here's an in-depth analysis of whether or not to capitalize the first letter of the Internet.
But for those who don't have the time to do so, the long and short is that for as long as dictionaries continue spelling the Internet with a capital I, style guides like AP will most likely follow suit.
What does this mean for you?
If you want to be technically correct with your writing, you need to use capital I.
If you don't care to be technically correct, then feel free to spell 'Internet' with a small i since people who actually do this also have a valid argument for their decision.
Up to you!
But for those who don't have the time to do so, the long and short is that for as long as dictionaries continue spelling the Internet with a capital I, style guides like AP will most likely follow suit.
What does this mean for you?
If you want to be technically correct with your writing, you need to use capital I.
If you don't care to be technically correct, then feel free to spell 'Internet' with a small i since people who actually do this also have a valid argument for their decision.
Up to you!
