Today I’m slaying commas. That tiny little squiggle is making my shoulders ache.
Once upon a time I was quite judicious about my commas. I would argue with anyone about natural cadence and pacing. Commas were often either irrelevant or downright detrimental.
And then I began to learn Comma Rules. About how a comma is needed to separate thought, to separate action, to separate subjects, to connect a sentence, to look good on the line. Forget the pattern that flows naturally with the words. Forget pacing. Commas are Necessary to Make Readers Read Each Word.
I learned the rules.
And I caved to them.
So today I fight back. I’ll reclaim the pace a good crime fiction story should have.
Historically, authors have almost come to blows with editors who tried to enforce the Comma Rules. I’ve determined that this is one more Really Good Reason for going indie.
How about you? Do you love commas or avoid them whenever possible?
CR: Darkness on The Edge of Town by J. Carson Black.
It’s all better with friends.