First of all, here's my disclaimer: I am NOT an expert in English. I don't have a degree in English and wouldn't dream of trying to tell you how to create perfectly-punctuated pieces. That said, I do a fair amount of critiquing and do feel fairly confident in offering some general hints to finding the most frequent errors I see. (And yes, I've seen variations of each of these examples) Over the next few weeks, we'll be looking at punctuation pitfalls that can mean the difference between an acceptance and a rejection in your writing life.
- When writing dialogue, place quotation marks around the spoken words, not the speaker tag.
Correct: "You didn't tell me that," Tom said.
Incorrect: "You didn't tell me that, Tom said."
- Do not use semicolons or colons to denote dialogue in prose.
Incorrect: Sally said: "I want you to go with me."
- Start a new paragraph with each speaker, including any action or thoughts that speaker may have.
Correct: "I will if you will," Sarah said. She stared across the table at her little sister.
Carrie met her gaze. "I'm in."
- Be sure to include the dash, question mark, and exclamation mark within the quotation marks when they are part of the quoted material. Put them outside the quotation marks when they are part of the whole sentence.
Correct: "Why do you say that? It wasn't me!" Jerry said.
Incorrect: "Why do you say that? It wasn't me"! Jerry said.
Correct: How can you call them "half-truths"?
Incorrect: How can you call them "half-truths?"
- Do not use a question mark with an indirect question.
Correct: He didn't ask how anyone could know that.
Incorrect: He didn't ask how anyone could know that?
- Use an ellipsis (three spaced periods) to denote omitted words in a quote, to designate a pause, or to show an unfinished statement.
Correct: I pledge allegiance . . . with liberty and justice for all.
Correct: "But I didn't know you were so . . . so . . . "
- Use an em dash (two dashes) to indicate an interruption in dialogue, a break in thought or sentence structure, or a parenthetical explanation.
Correct: "But you never said–"
"I never said what? Tell me!"
Correct: Who would have thought–who could have thought–it would ever come to this?
Correct: There were only three careers–doctor, lawyer, and Indian chief–that I would even consider.
Okay, so there they are, seven punctuation pitfalls you should avoid. Be sure to come back next time when we look at another group of errors commonly found in submitted work. Develop a keen eye and ear for such mistakes and you'll increase your chances of publication!
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Kudo for our readers!
Come, join me in celebrating these happy reports:
- Shane Schwichtenberg (IL) has had her very first article published at InspiredMoms.com. Shane is also a speaker for women's events, so be sure to check out her website. Congratulations, Shane!
- Marietta (Mari) Taylor (NC) has just received a two-book contract with Extreme Diva Media. Expected date of publication is April 2010. Two books? Way to go, Mari!
- Johnna Stein's (GA) story, "If You Can . . ." is published in the new Chicken Soup book, Power Moms, available March 24. We're proud of you, Johnna!
- Linda Greer (SC) will have her second story, "Bachernalia," published in the second dog anthology by Lonnie DuPont. It's the story of how she started with one dog and ended up with three–and lots of expenses. Great job, Linda!
- Jean Matthew Hall (NC) has two new joys to celebrate. Her story, "Our Miracle Man," will appear in the new anthology, Christmas Miracles, by Marley Gibson and Cec Murphey. Also, her story, "Stephen's Garden," will appear in The Ultimate Gardener, to be released in April 2009. Congratulations, Jean!
I'm so thrilled to share the successes of all our readers. Be sure to let me know when YOU have news to share. We all want to celebrate with you!
And don't forget to check back next week for WRITING OPPORTUNITIES! You could be the next reader we're celebrating with!
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Latest Review of Bitsy and the Mystery at Hilton Head Island
I hope you'll check out Jean Matthew Hall's blog for her recent review of the third book in my Bitsy Mystery series, Bitsy and the Mystery at Hilton Head Island. Have any readers 8-13 years old? This a great read for both boys and girls. And, as I wrote in a previous blog, the Bitsy books have become a great way to teach Biblical truth through secular fiction–even in the public schools! Thanks for helping spread the word, Jean!
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And this week, as winter begins to turn into spring, perhaps you're finding yourself at a new season in your own life. Sometimes new seasons are welcomed changes, but oftentimes they can be times of fear and unrest. I pray these words of Solomon will encourage you in whatever season God has for you at this time:
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to leo and a time to hate,
a time for war and
a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
So, whatever we're going through–whether good or bad–I pray we'll trust in His timing. After all, we know His timing is perfect.
I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
