Question

I wanted to know is there suppose to be 1 or 2 spaces after a comma into a quote and if I can use an ellipsis at the end of an expressed thought and end quote?

Answer 1

One space after a comma always.

Use ellipsis only if there is more to the sentence or if you leave something out.
Example:
Original material
Cats are better pets than dogs because they are more relaxed and more cuddly.
Partial quote ellipsis at the end
"Cats are better pets than dogs . . ."
Partial quote ellipsis within
"Cats are better pets than dogs because they are . . . more cuddly."

Answer 2

Can you tell me if this is written correctly:

Using my choice of words carefully, “I don’t know what’s going on between you and Raif…” even though I had my suspicions after my conversation with Raif. “But I’m sure if you talked to him instead of guessing, that you wouldn’t feel so much agitation every time you see him.”

Answer 3

That is difficult. I'm not sure of the full context of this passage, but I would use a comma. I say this because you are not leaving anything out. that is to say, if you removed the "even though . . . with Raif" part out, the sentence would be grammatically correct as:

"I don’t know what’s going on between you and Raif, but I’m sure if you talked to him instead of guessing, that you wouldn’t feel so much agitation every time you see him.”

Conversely:
"I don’t know what’s going on between you and Raif . . . but I’m sure if you talked to him instead of guessing, that you wouldn’t feel so much agitation every time you see him.”

would not be correct ellipsis usage.

Answer 4

That actually sounds better and like the way it reads much more. I'm writing fiction. The main character Isoura is the one expressing to the reader - Using my choice of words carefully,

Before it is expressed that she is in the room with Seth.... so should I leave that part out because it is already assumed that she is the one saying it? Because I was looking for the effect that the reader would know what she was thinking before she said it.

Answer 5

Fiction can be a tough one to grade strictly because a lot is dependent to the style of the author and what is actually being said. On one hand, when it comes to use of the ellipsis editors will mark a manuscript up a lot if it is over used, but on the other hand, as an author you want to be sure that your thoughts (or the thoughts of your characters) are being conveyed properly to the reader. They need to think and feel the same way as you or your characters are. Ellipsis could be the tool you use in some instances to convey this, but use them sparingly.

As for leaving something out, without reading the full content of the passage, it is hard to tell whether something is superfluous or not. This sounds like a WIP so I would leave it in for now. It can always be remove during editing.

Answer 6

I am trying to attempt to edit it now. I"m in chapter 13. If I sent you a few paragraphs from the beginning of chapter 13 would you let me know what you think?

Answer 7

The use of ellipsis in fiction is not nearly as stringent as when writing say a college paper. However, a good rule of thumb to follow is to use them only when something is left out, just like with essays. In fiction this mostly happens during dialog situations such as when the character does not want to complete a thought.

"Sam. We were just talking about you . . . "

Or when they are struggling for what they want to say.

"Honey . . . we need to talk about something. I . . . I've . . . Well, I've been having an affair."

Or when they get interrupted.

"Listen! I don't care what . . . "

"Don't you yell at me!"

Most other times we feel we need to use an ellipsis, we should pause and ask ourselves if a comma or period would work just as well.

Answer 8

Yes I would. I will PM you my email address so that you do not have to post a WIP publicly.

Answer 9

I would be very grateful....thank you

Answer 10

My addy should be in your envelope.