I can't believe I've been writing this stuff since '05.
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PSN: MiyuDaDestroyer / Steam: eccentrictan (Double E) / Gamertag: MiyuDaDestroyer

Obligatory list of information about me:

I am a female with a touch of tsundere. I-it's not like I really care about what you guys think...
I am not currently plotting world domination.
I do not update regularly.
I appreciate constructive criticism, but I have the sensitivity of a sleep-deprived two-year-old.
I want to be a magical girl when I grow up... even in my late twenties.
I lack the drive for writing I once had. My husband is probably my main supporter at this point.
I am the mother to the most adorable sociopath of a toddler to grace this planet.

...Guys, don't tell my daughter about this page ever.

Emmychao's Helpful Writing Hints

So basically, I’m tired of seeing writers frequently abuse some “commonly” misused words. Here is a little section that should help those who don't understand the differences.

There – Adverb. The most frequent use of the word is as an adverb, meaning it often modifies a verb when used in a sentence. For instance, if you have a sentence like “Let’s go over there,” guess what there modifies. “Let’s go there.” Go where? There. The best way to ask whether you’re using it properly is by replacing there with here. If the sentence still makes sense, you’ve most likely used it properly.

Their – 3rd case (person) plural possessive pronoun (also called an adjective). Their is a plural possessive noun, but because of its function, you could simplify it by just calling it an adjective; possessive nouns and adjectives are similar in that they both modify nouns. A sentence like “Their dog just died,” demonstrates just how identical the functions of possessive nouns and adjectives are. If you replace their with an article (a, an, or the) or another possessive noun such as our, and the sentence still makes sense, then that means that you’ve most likely used it correctly.

They’re – 3rd case plural nominative pronoun and helping verb. They’re is a contraction for “they are.” You would normally use it in a sentence like “They’re really good writers!” If you’re confused about whether or not you’ve used it properly, replace they’re with they are.

It’s – 3rd case singular nominative pronoun and helping verb. Though most possessives are marked by an ‘s, this happens to be one of the few exceptions. It’s is a contraction for “it is.” “It’s a good day today.” If you’re confused about its usage, just replace it with it is.

Its – 3rd case singular possessive pronoun. This is the possessive form of the word it. Remember, possessive pronouns are also interchangeable with adjectives, but the possessive part is what gives more detail about the noun it modifies. For instance “Its fight with mankind has just begun,” shows that it’s not just any fight; the fight belongs to something or someone. If you want to say that something belongs to another thing (usually genderless), then that would be the time to use its.

You’re – 2nd case singular nominative pronoun and helping verb. Like I’ve mentioned before, if you are confused on the usage of this contraction, replace it with you are.

Your – 2nd singular/ plural possessive pronoun. This should not be confused with the contraction you’re. The two are completely different. Your is a possessive pronoun that can be applied to a single noun or several. “Your grades are amazing!” and “Your story was horrible!” are two different examples of its singular and plural usage. Try substituting their or our if you’re confused about whether or not you’ve used it correctly.

Inspired Fanart

Original Characters from patchworkearth's "After the End" series. (Jeff, Anna, and John. Ken and Maya included for giggles.)
Kei Nanjo and Mitsuru Kirijo sketches inspired by my "Two in Harmony" story.
The Detective Princess from "The Detective Princess." (LJ link)