💬 Rule #5: Write Conversationally and Ditch the Semi-Colon

When you’re writing a novel with cinematic energy, your prose needs to feel alive, immediate, and authentic. Nothing kills that momentum faster than stiff, overly formal writing—or the dreaded semi-colon.

Readers today want to hear the story as if it’s being told directly to them. That’s why conversational writing is key. And yes, that means cutting the semi-colon loose.

Why Conversational Writing Works

• Authenticity Wins – People connect to voices that sound natural, not academic.

• Keeps the Pace Moving – Shorter sentences mimic the rhythm of dialogue and thought.

• Enhances Emotional Impact – When your writing feels spoken, readers are pulled closer to the characters’ experiences.

Why Ditch the Semi-Colon?

The semi-colon is elegant in essays but awkward in fiction. It slows the pace and feels unnatural in dialogue or narrative. In cinematic writing, you want quick cuts—short bursts of energy—not long, meandering sentences stitched together by punctuation.

How to Apply This Rule

1. Read Aloud – If a sentence doesn’t sound like something you’d say, rewrite it.

2. Favor Short, Punchy Sentences – Break long sentences into shorter ones. Think screenplay dialogue.

3. Use Real Dialogue Rhythm – People speak in fragments, pauses, and interruptions. Capture that.

4. Ban the Semi-Colon in Drafts – Force yourself to find more dynamic sentence structures.

The Payoff

By writing conversationally, your novel feels less like a textbook and more like a movie unfolding in the reader’s imagination. The pages turn faster, the dialogue pops, and the reader feels like they’re inside the scene, not just observing it.

🎯 Pro Tip: Next time you’re editing, highlight every semi-colon. Replace it with either a period (for punch) or a dash (for energy). You’ll be amazed at how much faster your writing flows.