Editing is a writer’s curse and a dream. There are surprising moments when my story graciously gives me a euphoric feeling of pleasure. Today a character jumped out to scream, “I love this chapter, but you killed me off in the last chapter.” I had great fun rearranging his demise,again.
But if I hadn’t bothered with him, I’d be far along with my nightmares of eliminating my editor-dreadful …pauses and missing periods and commas. My 20 chapter story has several conjunctions leaving this author with serious doubts. To comma or not to comma. My problem sent me to Google, since I’m too lazy to research this grammar question properly. Maybe I’ll do so before the release date, chuckle.
Google said: Use a comma and a little conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so) to connect two independent clauses. The source went on to say: Contending that the coordinating conjunction is adequate separation, some writers will leave out the comma in a sentence with short, balanced independent clauses.
If there is ever any doubt, however, use the comma.
Does this explanation assume I have a little conjunction, a little but? I’ve always been short, but not balanced. Is that an independent clause?
“If there’s any doubt?” Good Grief!, Mr. Google. What kind of clarification is that? Will your “If” bring pleasure to my editor?
Enough!
Eleanor Tatum 
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