For Dog Only

For a decimal point or not, that is the question all writers of fiction demand. The correct punctuation is required to submit your story to the reader, almost as important as history itself. Forgotten or incorrect punctuation can distract your reader and remove them from your account.

Most of us have learned punctuation to elementary school. Once we have with age, it did not seem as important. Language Cat and abbreviations have infiltrated our messages, to change what is considered "correct" writing. Well, the punctuation is equally important today as it was then. Here are the basics you will need when writing fiction.

End punctuation

Every sentence needs a purpose. In most cases that will end a period.

The dog ran into the street.

Direct questions should be a question mark.

Why the dog away?

Empathic statements, interjections and commands need an exclamation point. But use it sparingly. Too many will lose the effect.

"Hey!" she said. "Stop!"

Commas

These are tricky little devils that often give writers the biggest headache punctuation. Just where do these little darlings go?

Separation of main clauses linked by conjunctions.

It loved his mother, but needed to be on his own.

Go introductory elements.

Of course, the clock stopped working right at midnight.

Set off non-restrictive.

She spent holidays in La Jolla, California, that is, each year.

Separate items in a series.

It is the clock, ball, and a spoon needed to win the scavenger hunt.

Separate two or more adjectives.

He was captivated by her long silky hair.

Special note on the commas and dialogue. When writing dialogue using words that describe how which something is said (asked, shouted, whispered, etc.) use a comma at the end - or beginning - of the spoken part before the quotes.

It is time to go to the dance, "Jessica squealed.

But not to describe an action.

Jessica smiled. "It Time to go to dance. "

Semicolon

A semicolon separates the elements of the sentence fair and balanced. This stand alone sentences joined by a similar thought.

Amanda loves going to the mall, the shops still got what she wanted to buy.

Colon

This is used to indicate that the words that follow explain or amplify the previous section or to indicate a series of words. Settlers are not needed often in fiction writing.

There Several reasons Americans are fatter today: lack of exercise and the convenience of fast food.

Apostrophe

This brand is not used to prove possession, the omission of letters, numbers, or sometimes in the plural.

Possession:

Sandra cat has six toes on each paw.

Omission:

Charlie could not understand why the basement was flooded.

Plural words are particularly tricky.

Singular: Mrs. James loves ballet.

Plural: The James "Like ballet.

Quotes

Single ( ') and double ( ") are used to frame direct quotes: speech and writing.

Double quotes

"It has always been a strange boy," said Annie, sadness in his voice.

Single quotes are not used as much in fiction.

"She told me it has always went to the store "right now," said Eric confused.

Dash

Dash indicates a change insertion, or a break in thought.

No matter what she says - and he often thought about this - she was right.

Parentheses

As the quotation marks, parentheses always come in pairs and attach a brief example or fact.

Our house has been haunted by a terrible demon (known as the oven).

Ellipsis

The three dots signal usually omitting something. In fiction it is used to build suspense, but do not over them.

"It was here a minute ago, "she said confused." Perhaps Robert ...."

Writing fiction is more than creating characters and worlds, he is writing about. A good knowledge of punctuation is needed for your messages to be understood. It is the sign of a writer professional.

Dawn Arkin is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing. Her portfolio can be found at http://darkin.Writing.Com/ so stop by and read for a while.

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