While double quotation marks have a lot of functions, in US English single quotation marks are only used in a few instances. Learn when to use single quotation marks effectively.
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Beacon Point Blog
Writing Your Future
Showing and Telling Part 2: When It’s Okay to Tell
The first blog in this series explained how to identify your told prose. Now that you have identified it, decide if you need to change it to showing or keep it as is. It isn’t wrong to tell. The importance is balance. Learn when it is okay and even preferable to tell.
Read Blog »When to Use Quotation Marks
Quotation marks may seem like a fairly standard punctuation mark, but they are often used incorrectly or not used when they should be used. Learn four rules for when you should use quotation marks.
Read Blog »Narrative Distance: What It Is and How to Use it Effectively
Narrative distance is another tool in a writers’ toolkit. Learn what is it, how to create various levels of narrative distance, and when you may want to go wide.
Read Blog »Commas with City and State
While many writers remember the comma before the state, they forget the one after the state. See examples and practice this punctuation rule.
Read Blog »Why are there errors remaining after I paid an editor?
While editors strive to do their best, it isn’t realistic to expect perfection. So you will still find errors, but just know that some of those “errors” you found aren’t actual errors. This blog discusses these issues and your options.
Read Blog »Commas with Introductions
Commas come after introductions before the main independent clause. Learn 6 types of introductions and how to punctuate them.
Read Blog »What’s Next: Marketing Your Book Post-Publication
Marketing your book happens before, during, and after publication. Many hit marketing hard during launch, but then just let it sit. Learn eight strategies you can use to continue to market your book after publication.
Read Blog »Em Dash
Em dashes are a beloved punctuation mark; they are so versatile and fun. Learn all the ways you can use em dashes in your writing.
Read Blog »Showing and Telling Part 1: Finding Your Told Prose
The advice “show, don’t tell” can frustrate authors. Telling isn’t bad, but it can ruin a novel if overdone or done at the wrong moment. Learn how to spot your told prose so you can edit it to shown prose, if the scene calls for it.
Read Blog »Commas with Relative Clauses (which, that, who…)
A tutorial on when to use comas before relative clauses/phrases. Relative clauses/phrases begin with which, that, who, whom, whose.
Read Blog »Dealing with a Heavily Edited Manuscript
It can be a blow to your ego to get a heavily edited manuscript back from your editor and all the tracking can seem too overwhelming to deal with. So learn various methods for approaching a heavily edited manuscript with confidence. You can do hard things and publish a great book. Deep breaths and let’s dive in!
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I want to write better today »Categories
Essay Writing (3)
How to Write Effective Claim Statements
3 Components to Writing an Effective Thesis Statement
How to Write Winning Introductory Paragraphs
3 Components to Writing an Effective Thesis Statement
How to Write Winning Introductory Paragraphs
Resume Writing (3)
5 Strategies for Effective Job Bullet Statements
How to Write an Effective Career Summary
Resume: How to Show, Don’t Tell Your Marketable Skills
How to Write an Effective Career Summary
Resume: How to Show, Don’t Tell Your Marketable Skills
Resources for Authors (28)
Showing and Telling Part 2: When It’s Okay to Tell
Narrative Distance: What It Is and How to Use it Effectively
Why are there errors remaining after I paid an editor?
What’s Next: Marketing Your Book Post-Publication
Showing and Telling Part 1: Finding Your Told Prose
Dealing with a Heavily Edited Manuscript
Strategies to Reduce Wordiness
Action Beats: It’s All about Dem Beats
6 Self-Editing Tasks to Reduce Your Editing Costs
Proofreading: Your Last Line of Defense
The Cost of Editing & How to Stay in Your Budget
How to Build and Grow Your Author Newsletter
5 Unnecessary Explanations to Avoid in Fiction Writing
11 Steps to Creating Your Own Style Sheet
All About Style Sheets
10 Realistic Expectations for Working with an Editor
How to Fix Info Dumping
How to Spot and Correct Head-Hopping
Varying Sentence Beginnings
Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions
How to Use Word’s Track Changes
How to Write Effective Direct and Internal Dialogue
8 Strategies to Reduce “Be” Verbs
3 Common Dialogue Tag Pitfalls
4 Levels of Editing and Their Pricing Explained
Purpose of an Editor
Effective Transitions that Aid Your Reader’s Comprehension
Learn the Difference between “Good” and “Well”
Narrative Distance: What It Is and How to Use it Effectively
Why are there errors remaining after I paid an editor?
What’s Next: Marketing Your Book Post-Publication
Showing and Telling Part 1: Finding Your Told Prose
Dealing with a Heavily Edited Manuscript
Strategies to Reduce Wordiness
Action Beats: It’s All about Dem Beats
6 Self-Editing Tasks to Reduce Your Editing Costs
Proofreading: Your Last Line of Defense
The Cost of Editing & How to Stay in Your Budget
How to Build and Grow Your Author Newsletter
5 Unnecessary Explanations to Avoid in Fiction Writing
11 Steps to Creating Your Own Style Sheet
All About Style Sheets
10 Realistic Expectations for Working with an Editor
How to Fix Info Dumping
How to Spot and Correct Head-Hopping
Varying Sentence Beginnings
Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions
How to Use Word’s Track Changes
How to Write Effective Direct and Internal Dialogue
8 Strategies to Reduce “Be” Verbs
3 Common Dialogue Tag Pitfalls
4 Levels of Editing and Their Pricing Explained
Purpose of an Editor
Effective Transitions that Aid Your Reader’s Comprehension
Learn the Difference between “Good” and “Well”
Working with an Editor (8)
Why are there errors remaining after I paid an editor?
Dealing with a Heavily Edited Manuscript
Proofreading: Your Last Line of Defense
The Cost of Editing & How to Stay in Your Budget
10 Realistic Expectations for Working with an Editor
How to Use Word’s Track Changes
4 Levels of Editing and Their Pricing Explained
Purpose of an Editor
Dealing with a Heavily Edited Manuscript
Proofreading: Your Last Line of Defense
The Cost of Editing & How to Stay in Your Budget
10 Realistic Expectations for Working with an Editor
How to Use Word’s Track Changes
4 Levels of Editing and Their Pricing Explained
Purpose of an Editor
Nonfiction Help (4)
Strategies to Reduce Wordiness
Varying Sentence Beginnings
8 Strategies to Reduce “Be” Verbs
Effective Transitions that Aid Your Reader’s Comprehension
Varying Sentence Beginnings
8 Strategies to Reduce “Be” Verbs
Effective Transitions that Aid Your Reader’s Comprehension
Fiction Help (9)
Showing and Telling Part 2: When It’s Okay to Tell
Narrative Distance: What It Is and How to Use it Effectively
Showing and Telling Part 1: Finding Your Told Prose
Action Beats: It’s All about Dem Beats
5 Unnecessary Explanations to Avoid in Fiction Writing
How to Fix Info Dumping
How to Spot and Correct Head-Hopping
How to Write Effective Direct and Internal Dialogue
3 Common Dialogue Tag Pitfalls
Narrative Distance: What It Is and How to Use it Effectively
Showing and Telling Part 1: Finding Your Told Prose
Action Beats: It’s All about Dem Beats
5 Unnecessary Explanations to Avoid in Fiction Writing
How to Fix Info Dumping
How to Spot and Correct Head-Hopping
How to Write Effective Direct and Internal Dialogue
3 Common Dialogue Tag Pitfalls
Grammar and Punctuation Help (2)
Bite-Sized Punctuation (19)
Single Quotation Marks
When to Use Quotation Marks
Commas with City and State
Commas with Introductions
Em Dash
Commas with Relative Clauses (which, that, who…)
Using En Dashes
Colons with Independent Clauses
Colons with Lists
Commas with Dates
Semicolons with Complex Lists
Commas with Interrupters Part Three: Regular Interrupters
Commas with Interrupters Part Two: Appositives
Commas with Interrupters Part One: Direct Address
Semicolons with Independent Clauses Part 2
Semicolons with Independent Clauses Part 1
Commas with Dependent Clauses
Commas with Independent Clauses
Commas with Adjectives
When to Use Quotation Marks
Commas with City and State
Commas with Introductions
Em Dash
Commas with Relative Clauses (which, that, who…)
Using En Dashes
Colons with Independent Clauses
Colons with Lists
Commas with Dates
Semicolons with Complex Lists
Commas with Interrupters Part Three: Regular Interrupters
Commas with Interrupters Part Two: Appositives
Commas with Interrupters Part One: Direct Address
Semicolons with Independent Clauses Part 2
Semicolons with Independent Clauses Part 1
Commas with Dependent Clauses
Commas with Independent Clauses
Commas with Adjectives
Commas (9)
Commas with Introductions
Commas with Relative Clauses (which, that, who…)
Commas with Dates
Commas with Interrupters Part Three: Regular Interrupters
Commas with Interrupters Part Two: Appositives
Commas with Interrupters Part One: Direct Address
Commas with Dependent Clauses
Commas with Independent Clauses
Commas with Adjectives
Commas with Relative Clauses (which, that, who…)
Commas with Dates
Commas with Interrupters Part Three: Regular Interrupters
Commas with Interrupters Part Two: Appositives
Commas with Interrupters Part One: Direct Address
Commas with Dependent Clauses
Commas with Independent Clauses
Commas with Adjectives
Style Sheets (2)
Semicolons (3)
Semicolons with Complex Lists
Semicolons with Independent Clauses Part 2
Semicolons with Independent Clauses Part 1
Semicolons with Independent Clauses Part 2
Semicolons with Independent Clauses Part 1