Kathryn A. Frazier
Your Story. Your voice. the best it can be.
Category: Line Editing
Quick Reference Guide to Punctuating Dialogue in Fiction
For those of you who find yourselves either without a style guide, or too busy writing the next great American novel to get bogged down in the nit-picky details, I made you a handy-dandy, quick-reference chart for punctuating dialogue in fiction. Since most fiction is written in Chicago style (CMOS), that’s the style I used.
To cut or not to cut? Use this editing trick to decide.
I learned this editing trick years ago, and still use it today to help me decide whether or not to cut a line, a scene, or whatever. In your manuscript, mouse over and highlight the text in question. Then . . .
Avoid these 7 writing mistakes by listening.
We writers refer to our writing personalities as voice, because readers “hear” us when they read our words. For the same reason, many of our writing mistakes can be corrected by simply listening to our own voices. With our ears. You can write every word,… Continue Reading “Avoid these 7 writing mistakes by listening.”
More tips for flat-broke indie authors
You know you need these professional services, but you’re broke. Never fear; I’m here for you. If you can’t afford to pay for professional services, consider the following.
FAQs on Punctuating Dialogue in Fiction
If you write fiction, you want to bookmark this blog for reference. And if you don’t find the answers you need here, feel free to ask your questions in the comment section, and I will answer.
How to Write Better Dialogue
Each of your characters should say what only that particular character would say, if he had all day to think about it first. A great example of this rule is the TV show M*A*S*H…
Self-editing Your Novel, Part 6: Point of View
Point of view (POV) bungling is the most common tell of a newbie writer, and easier to avoid than to fix. POV errors can mean the difference between an agent or editor reading your work, or tossing it into the slush pile for an automatic rejection.
Self-editing Your Novel, Part 5: Timeline
Yes, readers will notice timeline issues. And they will look things up for accuracy. They’ll either be impressed with your attention to details, or impressed by their own ability to prove the writer made mistakes. Your choice.
Self-editing Your Novel, Part 4: Characters
If you dutifully listed every character in your scene descriptions, you can easily skim your descriptions to find every appearance of any character. If you didn’t add every character to your scene descriptions, you can…
Self-editing Your Novel, Part 3: Subplot and Digression
Think of subplots as the bridesmaids at a wedding. Dress them up and put them in their places, but the party is not about them.
Leave a Tip
Thank you for your continued support! Every dollar donated helps keep this site ad-free and allows me to spend more time writing, helping other writers, and providing free content.
$1.00
Kathryn A. Frazier 