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Colons & semi-colons
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acwhitehouse
 21 Nov 2007, 13:52 #23941 Reply To Post
More of a question really: why do so many reviewers hate them? Lynne Truss (author of 'Eats, Shoots & Leaves') thinks they're okay.
AC
WorkingOnABook
benkelly
 21 Nov 2007, 13:53 #23942 Reply To Post
Quote: acwhitehouse, Wednesday, 21 Nov 2007 13:52
More of a question really: why do so many reviewers hate them? Lynne Truss (author of 'Eats, Shoots & Leaves') thinks they're okay.
AC


Wasn't even aware that many did dislike them, there's no reason to.
"Suck it up, say thank you and move on."

altguy3
 21 Nov 2007, 13:58 #23943 Reply To Post
Quote: benkelly, Wednesday, 21 Nov 2007 13:53
Quote: acwhitehouse, Wednesday, 21 Nov 2007 13:52
More of a question really: why do so many reviewers hate them? Lynne Truss (author of 'Eats, Shoots & Leaves') thinks they're okay.
AC


Wasn't even aware that many did dislike them, there's no reason to.


Actually I've noticed semi-colon prejudice in the past too which is a shame; I love them. In fact probably overuse them.

Definitely my favourite punctuation mark!

Pls vist my site and sign up at:

www.africareich.com
acwhitehouse
 21 Nov 2007, 14:00 #23944 Reply To Post
Quote: benkelly, Wednesday, 21 Nov 2007 13:53
Quote: acwhitehouse, Wednesday, 21 Nov 2007 13:52
More of a question really: why do so many reviewers hate them? Lynne Truss (author of 'Eats, Shoots & Leaves') thinks they're okay.
AC


Wasn't even aware that many did dislike them, there's no reason to.


There is one American reviewer, in particular, whom I seem regularly to fall foul of. This reviewer also berates authors for using single quotation marks for speech, demanding doubles for outside and singles for inside emphasis only. However, I'm currently reading 'Restless' by William Boyd, which does the opposite.
AC
WorkingOnABook
acwhitehouse
 21 Nov 2007, 14:04 #23946 Reply To Post
I meant to thank you, altguy3, for your review of Amelia's Body. A lot to think about. All good advice.
AC
WorkingOnABook
altguy3
 21 Nov 2007, 14:08 #23947 Reply To Post
Quote: acwhitehouse, Wednesday, 21 Nov 2007 14:00
Quote: benkelly, Wednesday, 21 Nov 2007 13:53
Quote: acwhitehouse, Wednesday, 21 Nov 2007 13:52
More of a question really: why do so many reviewers hate them? Lynne Truss (author of 'Eats, Shoots & Leaves') thinks they're okay.
AC


Wasn't even aware that many did dislike them, there's no reason to.


There is one American reviewer, in particular, whom I seem regularly to fall foul of. This reviewer also berates authors for using single quotation marks for speech, demanding doubles for outside and singles for inside emphasis only. However, I'm currently reading 'Restless' by William Boyd, which does the opposite.
AC


Yes... I think plenty of ppl on the site will know who you are talking about!

As far as I'm aware single quotes is the UK norm; doubles the US standard.

Since my work only circulates in the UK (at the moment) I keep with '-'

G.
Pls vist my site and sign up at:

www.africareich.com
altguy3
 21 Nov 2007, 14:15 #23949 Reply To Post
Quote: acwhitehouse, Wednesday, 21 Nov 2007 14:04
I meant to thank you, altguy3, for your review of Amelia's Body. A lot to think about. All good advice.
AC


Glad it was of some help... sorry I spent so much time talking about the current realities of the market. Wldn't it be great if we could all just write good stuff and exactly what we wanted and it get picked up on merit alone?

I remember reading an essay recently saying that the majority of artists couldn't be truly creative in the current climate bcs they always had to consider the market in their endeavours - thus curtailing their creative freedom.

Anyway, hope it gives you something to mull over. Feel free to drop me an email any time if you want to bash out some ideas.

Hope the Boden stuff is still keeping you happy!



G.

Pls vist my site and sign up at:

www.africareich.com
Lorraine
 21 Nov 2007, 14:24 #23951 Reply To Post
Quote: acwhitehouse, Wednesday, 21 Nov 2007 14:00


There is one American reviewer, in particular, whom I seem regularly to fall foul of. This reviewer also berates authors for using single quotation marks for speech, demanding doubles for outside and singles for inside emphasis only. However, I'm currently reading 'Restless' by William Boyd, which does the opposite.


It doesn't matter too much which you use as long as you are consistent throughout. When the time comes to send your work out, it's worth checking to see what the publisher's preference is.
This post was last edited by Lorraine, 21 Nov 2007, 14:26
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richie_d
 21 Nov 2007, 15:12 #23961 Reply To Post
I've always used double-quotes for speech marks, even though I'm from England.

I love colons, as long as we're talking about the punctuational variety, and semi-colons too.

Living in Spain has also given me an appreciation of Spanish punctuation -- the use of an upside down exclamation or question mark to let people know beforehand what is intended ¡Fantastico! ¿Or is it?

I do tend to overuse exclamation marks -- I think I was heavily influenced by the Asterix books. "You did what Obelix???!!!???"
benkelly
 21 Nov 2007, 15:32 #23962 Reply To Post
Again, if you try to be consistent, it doesn't truly matter. If one day it is published, you'll be tied to the publisher's style guide anyhow, so don't fret.

Here is something a bit useful, I hope:

How to punctuate dialogue
"Suck it up, say thank you and move on."

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