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How to use an ellipsis

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Active Ink Slinger
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Thanks Lisa, I learned something. Thanks for sharing.Ee2Me2yntwUiyZz2
"No one knows when the final grain of sand will plummet through their own personal Hourglass." ~ CKAcres
"If you really want to make a difference, don't over think it, just do it..."
"Scars of life are deeply etched within the minds of curious old souls."
Rest in Peace
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Quote by Lisa
Do you know how to use an ellipsis?


An ellipsis? That be this thing...right?

No, I have to admit I have no clue how to use one...

I once knew a drinker who had a moderating problem...

Forum Facilitator
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Lisa, I could kiss you for this link. Not because I didn't know how to use ellipsis, but because I know so many people who really don't. This might teach them, if my rants don't, so thanks very much.
Ghosts, flamingos, guitars and vodka. Eclectic subjects, eccentric stories:

Humorous guide & Recommended Read =^.^= How To Make a Cup of Tea
A flash fiction series :) A Random Moment in Time
Editors' Pick! :D I Am The Deep, Dark Woods
And another EP!: The Fragility of Age
=^.^=
Rookie Scribe
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Speaking with my editor's hat on, and asking others to chime in, I've had to spank writers for using elipses every single time they run out of something to say. Especially in the case of dialogue, because the writer has trailed off, rather than working through what's missing to finish a thought. Sometimes, it should just be a period. Lazy, lazy, lazy! Like choppy non-sentences. Which I use all the time. (:
Active Ink Slinger
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Thank you for this tidbit. I rarely use them in my writing. Now if I need to I can handle them properly.
I just keep hopping from place to place.
I never stay too long.
I just keep moving singing a song.
So you better stop me if you want to chat.
Or you will never know where I am at.
Forum Facilitator
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Lisa.. has tried.. to break me of this habit.. for years.. I think.. she has.. just given up..
Active Ink Slinger
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Just checking if the following are ok.


(The interruption of speech.) (third line down.)

1) John exited the elevator bathed in dark blue light and walked into the briefing room, lite with the brighter baby blue light. He glanced to his CO and fought to keep a straight face. "Sir." He said.

2) General Richard glanced from the colonel he had been speaking with to the new arrival. "If we are all present now, lets begin this briefing."

3) John sat to the left of his CO and tapped the data pad laid just under the place holder with his name on it. "How different will this new plan be form the one we told..." He said and was cut off by Richard when he raised his hand.

4) "This new plan will be similar, otherwise the enemy will realize that the spy has been discovered and they'll adapt too quickly to the important changes we've made." Richard said.



(The loss for words.) (fifth line down)

1)Steve jumped out of the bunk and glanced around the room bathed in red light.

2) "Humm." Crystal hummed as she pulled the blanket over her naked shoulder. "Come back to bed." She said. "I promise that I'll make it worth your wild. It's too cold to..." She paused and turned her head toward Steve who reached for his pants. "Is that the alert lights?"

3) "There is nothing to be alarmed by." David, the facilities AI said. "You may both return to bed and continue to enjoy the final hours before muster."

4) Steve and Crystal laughed and glanced to one another. Crystal reached with her right hand for Steve's hand as he buttoned his green pants. "You heard him. Nothing to worry about." She knelt up and pulled Steve closer to the bed.

5) Steve glanced to Crystal and blinked his eyes to adjust them to the dull red lights and the steady blue light that shinned off her chocolate skin. "Ah..." He began. "The AI's been listening to us?" He asked.

6) "I am programmed to be aware of what everyone in this facility is doing at any given time." David said. "Please do not be alarmed. This area of my programming doesn't include reporting small infractions in General order One Alpha, the order relating to military members engaging in consensual sexual intercourse."

6) "See, the computer says it's fine." Crystal said.