Semicolons Aren't Just Fancy Commas

I promised myself that I wouldn't use this blog to air pet peeves, but as it is a blog (generally) about writing, I thought, ah, what the heck...

I continue to be amazed at just how often a single piece of punctuation is constantly misused, and if you read the title of this blog post, you already know that I'm speaking of the semicolon.

I've seen it used in place of the colon.  I've seen it used like a comma (now there is a way to use it like a comma, but I'll get to that in a second), and I've seen it just, well, sit there for no good reason at all.  And I'm not just talking about spam emails I've received, or semi-literate, throwaway forum posts on the internet.  I'm talking about major books written by major authors.  And it blows my mind.

I am, by no means, a professor of grammar, and I'm also not perfect.  I've made my fair share of writing boo-boos in my time.  However, the semicolon is so constantly misused and abused I felt I had to say something.  Semicolons aren't difficult; anyone can use them.

See what I did there?  That's right.  I used a semicolon.  Correctly. Now it isn't the greatest sentence ever scribbled in the English language, but I followed the basic rule for the semicolon's number one use: seperating independent clauses (related to a similar topic).  If you drop a semicolon in the middle of a sentence both halves must be able to stand alone as sentences of their own.  Like this:

Semicolons aren't difficult.  Anyone can use them.

See.  Two sentences.  And they could very well remain two sentences, but sometimes it's about flow.  Sometimes you just want to get a rhythm going and how you do that is up to you.  It's what makes writing such a cool endevour.

As I  alluded to earlier, the other use for a semicolon is similar to a comma.  This is done when you are making a list, and within that list commas are already being utilized.  Say you wanted to list places you have visited:

Last summer we travelled to Oslo, Norway; London, England; and Paris, France.

Since there are commas already separating the city name and country, semicolons act like a super comma.  If you didn't use the semicolon it would look like your keyboard threw up commas all over your page.  That, and it would be confusing for the reader.  Like so:

Last summer we travelled to Oslo, Norway, London, England, and Paris, France.

Doing it that way makes it seem like you are listing Oslo and Norway (and the others) as if they were places you visited separately.  It doesn't make sense.

Personally, I find this stuff about semicolons pretty straight forward.  Some people don't.  I get that.  But we live in the age of the internet.  The proper use of a semicolon is right at your fingertips.  Just plunk it into a search engine and away you go.  So if you read this and five minutes later you forget about it, that's fine.  But when you're tempted to throw a semicolon into your writing and you aren't sure if you're using it correctly, look it up.  The world will thank you for it.  Of course, they'll also thank you for using them sparingly.  Trust me.

So there you have it. Now use this knew found knowledge wisely, before we have to start placing semicolons into the witness protection program...

One Last Thing About Agents

For all the agents out there who consider a "non-response" an acceptable form of rejection: screw you.  We took the time out of our busy schedule to query you, the least you can do is take two seconds out of your day to reply with (even) a form rejection.  Most other busy agents can do it, so why can't you?

Yeah.  I'm feeling saucy today...

A Little Update

Haven't blogged in a while, so I thought I'd give you all a little update on what I've been up to, and to dispell any suspicions that I might just be too lazy to post...

It's official.  After much soul searching, followed by running around and chasing after transcripts and the like, I am officially a student again.  Back to the ol' academic grind for me.  I'll be spending this year getting what are known as my "teachables" and then applying for the College of Education in the spring.  I've always wanted to go back to school and finish my degree, but life seemed to always get in the way.  But a recent layoff has compelled me to go back and try it again.  I always regretted not getting my university degree, and I love working with kids, so put those two together and teaching came up as the most obvious choice.  And who knows, perhaps I'll parlay my teaching degree into an MFA in writing (something else I always wanted to do).  So we'll have to wait and see.

I've also been writing up the proverbial storm on my latest WIP.  It's one I had shelved for a while, needing the time and distance to mull over the ending.  I'm enjoying the process, and the story is flowing well.  Once this draft is finished, I'll need to sit on it for a bit so I can come back and revise it with fresh eyes.

I've outlined another novel length work and started the preliminary planning for two (count 'em, two) YA series.  One may turn out to be better suited for middle grade readers, but that likely won't be determined until I start writing it.  With a full-time class schedule on the horizon, that might be tricky, but I'll have to gauge the workload once classes start and take it from there.  I've gotten into a groove lately with my writing and I'd like to continue on that same track, but again, we'll have to wait and see.

What else?  Ah yes...

While on holidays this summer, I finally picked up an ereader--a Kobo to be exact.  I'm a late adopter of the technology because, I must admit, I was (and still am to a certain extent) very pro-book.  The idea of replacing those wonderful little bricks of paper with a cold hunk of plastic was enough to give me fits just three years ago.  But I've seen the light.  I love my Kobo.  I actually read more now, if that's even possible, so I've been spending more of my time glued to my Kobo screen than planning my next blog post.  So, my aplogies for that.  And if you haven't picked up an ereader yet, I highly recommend it.  There's just something about having millions of books at your wifi enabled fingertips (and from the comfort of your own couch) that makes me a tad giddy.  Almost any book, any time you want it.  Wow.  Just... wow.

Amongst all this flurry of activity, I enjoyed spending time with my wife and daughter this summer.  Family is important.  Sure I could spend all of my time writing and outlining, but a guy's gotta live.  If you don't get out there and do stuff, what the heck are you going to write about?  It'll be tough this winter, we all have busy schedules, but we'll make time.  We always do.

So that's why I've been a bad little boy as it pertains to blogging.  I'll try to do better.  And I'll keep you updated on the editorial process of Cold Fear as it begins this fall (add another thing to my list... yikes).  I'm looking forward to it, and then the subsequent release of the book in mid to late 2012.  It's been a long birthing process for this book.  It will be nice to finally get it out there and get some feedback on it.  I just hope you all enjoy it when it comes out.

Now I'm going to finish my coffee and go pick my daughter up for lunch (and seriously, get an ereader... you won't regret it).

Catch ya later...