In case you are unfamiliar with this favorite of fiction writers, the em-dash–often typed as two hyphens next to each other–is used to set off parenthetical information, as I did in this sentence, or to indicate a break in–

What? Mommy’s typing. No, you cannot have more ice cream.

The em-dash also indicates a shift or break in character thought or speech, like my interruption above. Another pet punctuation authors overuse are ellipsis points (three periods in a row), often “used to suggest faltering or fragmented speech accompanied by confusion or insecurity” (Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, p.457). Em-dashes differ from ellipsis points in that they indicate “interruptions or abrupt changes in thought” (ibid.).

Does your writing suffer from waaaay too many em-dashes? Incareful authors often use them in place of a comma that would have been a comma splice, sticking together two independent clauses. How to solve misplacement or overuse?

A step away from the work is needed. Open “find,” (CTRL+F in Word) type in an em-dash (keyboard shortcut ^+), and use “highlight” to turn all of them dark blue, a blotted out square in the text.

Do this, and then read the individual sentences that used to have an em-dash but now have a dark blot instead. You may leave in any em-dashes paired around parenthetical information or any that end a sentence with an interrupted thought or quotation.

For the others: How would you punctuate it if you could not use an em-dash? Is it two separate, complete sentences? Why not break them up? Would a comma suffice (remember to check for dependent vs. independent clauses)? How about a semicolon?

Tricky bugger, the semicolon. If dialogue, best to avoid them; but used properly in narrative, they take the place of a conjunction to join two independent clauses. You may also use them before a conjunction to set off an independent clause that has internal punctuation, as I did in the above sentence.

The same blot-out technique can be used for ellipsis points as well. Remember, special marks of punctuation lose their effectiveness when overused.

Happy weeding!