Wow, lots to think about. I don't care for the comma after the elipses either, so I'm not sure I can change that in my writing!
I'm intrigued by the punctuation for pauses filled with action though. Although come to it, I think I most often do those at the end of an actual sentence, which would be slightly different, I think?
Like this: “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.” Steve had reached the bottom of the stairs by now, and he ran a hand over his hair and glanced from where he’d just come before looking back at Danny. “Did you want me for something?”
And I would assume that because Steve didn't actually 'say' anything, that I'm right to add full-stops rather than commas in between?
I have sources that show no comma after an ellipsis, so we're looking into that and will update if needed.
If the middle action is a complete sentence, as shown in your example, yes, full stops are the way to go. If the interruption includes a dialogue tag, you have to show what was said/uttered/muttered/asked/etc.
"Are you telling me" - Blair's eyebrows rose - "that you like doing tests?"
“First, there is the question of why an acknowledged fraud, Blair Sandburg, was put on a fast-track to a privileged position in the division of Major Crimes-”
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I'm intrigued by the punctuation for pauses filled with action though. Although come to it, I think I most often do those at the end of an actual sentence, which would be slightly different, I think?
Like this: “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.” Steve had reached the bottom of the stairs by now, and he ran a hand over his hair and glanced from where he’d just come before looking back at Danny. “Did you want me for something?”
And I would assume that because Steve didn't actually 'say' anything, that I'm right to add full-stops rather than commas in between?
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If the middle action is a complete sentence, as shown in your example, yes, full stops are the way to go. If the interruption includes a dialogue tag, you have to show what was said/uttered/muttered/asked/etc.
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Can I please ask a question? I need some advice on how to beta this style of dialogue.
The writer signifies thought projection by italicizing the dialogue.
We don't know, I answered him, smiling back. But we'll talk about that later, huh?
I'm unsure how the following should be punctuated:
Are you ok? he asked when I didn't reply.
Should the "he" be "He" - as it follows a question mark?
Thank you.
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“First, there is the question of why an acknowledged fraud, Blair Sandburg, was put on a fast-track to a privileged position in the division of Major Crimes-”
Those should be em dashes, not hyphens, right?
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