Hello everyone,
I searched and searched to find whether this question had already been asked. If I missed it and this is a repeat for some, then my apologies!
Basically, I get quite tripped up regarding the use of punctuation within a sentence with dialogue. Even after reading a lot myself, I find there are different methods with different authors. Anyway, I have three examples I would love help with!
"John," mum called impatiently, "please can you get off he couch and put the groceries away?"
"There is something that you really need to know." confessed Lucy with hesitancy.
Michael wiped the tears from his eyes and said, "love isn't as easy as they make it out to be in the movies."
SORRY! This is like a little quiz you'd get in English class, haha. I have seen in some previous answers there are some great grammar/punctuation books by Penguin, which I will definitely have a look at. Does anyone have a resource they use for things like this? Thank you in advance and apologies once again if this is a repeated, or appalling question!
Am catching up with this. Wilhemina's - "said Lucy, shifting in her chair." Note full stop, perhaps Lucy needs to visit the lavatory, urgently. Just a thought.
Everyone,
Thank you so much for your assistance with my question!
You are all brilliant writers in your own right and way, hence why it is wonderful to hear the opinions of all! I will not discount any and will take what I find useful from each - and there is a LOT of useful in each. I completely understand that there are rules of thumb for writing and correct ways in which writing should be presented with grammar and punctuation in check, which I wish to adhere to. But, what I have definitely learned most from this is that everyone does have their own voice and style when it comes to writing and this should absolutely be applied to their work. My initial query on punctuation has absolutely been answered in a number of ways and also a schooling on being true to your work is an extra I've taken away.
I really appreciate you all taking the time to give your opinion and share your knowledge. Each bit has been valuable and I thank each of you very much.
There is a wide spectrum of self-confidence available to the novice writer. From [perhaps beyong] timidity/self-doubt all the way through cocksureness and arrogance to "I am the greatest genius ever to explode onto the literary stage!"
On a recent Q&A, I pointed out to the OPer that MOST writers need to rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. I mentioned the number 3 in regard to # of draughts (and that as an arbitrary possibility for a short story or poem). I also pointed out that there were 3 errors in the OP and asked: could the poster spot them? The poster chose to ignore that challenge and opined that 3 draughts was certainly excessive. Healthy self-confidence or arrogance? Perhaps we'll never know. Perhaps that poster is one of the very few writers capable of tossing off a masterpiece in just one draught.
OTOH - and much more frequently - there are fledgling writers who doubt their own skill. Who can't really believe that that inner Voice is powerful and beautiful. Wilhelmina takes some pains on this forum to encourage them to believe in that Voice, to believe in themselves, to - as she puts it [split infinitive here, Folks!] - "DARE to be different!"
If she steps on the toes of a few veterans, we should perhaps forgive her. At least her heart's in the left place.