Advice

Advice and Guidance

Even if I can’t help you with editing or proofreading, there are many articles on my site that I hope can help. My Blog section contains advice and guidance and is a growing resource to help new authors and screenwriters with many of the most common questions asked when starting to write.

Most of the tips are to do with grammar, but there will be the odd one for writing in general. These tips are to help you produce the best first draft you can and to avoid some of the pitfalls new writers often fall into.

At the bottom of all my posts is an option to Print, email, or convert to a PDF so you can keep the article for future reference.

One thing to note while reading my blog is that it is written using British spelling and grammar. Although, sometimes, I write using American spelling and grammar just for a bit of variation.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to guest blog, then I’m more than happy to chat.

Grammar

How To Use Semicolons

One thing I come across on a regular basis is the abuse of the poor semicolon.

Reasons to use a semicolon are:

  • Reduce the number of short sentences in a paragraph.
  • Emphasise the relationship between two clauses.
  • Introducing a list where commas will confuse the reader.

A golden rule to remember when using a semicolon is that it is used to separate related things that would still make sense on their own. An example would be…

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Grammar

How To Use Colons

A lot of new writers seems to get more confused over when to use a colon than semicolons, yet the rules are simpler. Simply put, a colon is used to introduce something, including a list.

CorrectYou know what I love: good grammar.

CorrectCan you go to the shop and buy me the following: bread, milk, and butter.

As with semicolons, you should not capitalise the first word unless it’s a proper noun. You should also never use a colon if it follows a verb or preposition.

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