Note: If clauses are long and already contain commas, separate them with a semicolon rather than a comma.

Wrong: If a man begins with certainties, he shall end in doubts, but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties. - Francis Bacon

Right: If a man begins with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties. - Francis Bacon

Run-on sentences - Where Run-on sentences are concerned (in case you don't know what it is, a run-on occurs when two independent clauses are not separated by punctuation or conjunction), add a period, or a semi colon, or a comma in places of separation.

Example

Wrong: A good student can score full marks in Mathematics it's his analytical ability that will help him achieve that.

Right: A good student can score full marks in Mathematics. It's his analytical ability that will help him achieve that.

Use of Quotation Marks - Use quotation marks to indicate direct quotation.

Example

"That guy knows me," Mr. Wong said, "very well."

Note: Never use it for indirect quotation (a restatement of someone’s words).

According to Mr. Wong, that guy knows him very well.

Use single quotation marks to indicate a quote within a quote.

Example

Wrong: Richard wrote, "When Berkeley said, "esse est percipii", he meant that existence of a thing consists in its being perceived."

Right: Richard wrote, "When Berkeley said, 'esse est percipii,' he meant that existence of a thing consists in its being perceived."

Note: Always put comma and final period inside quotation marks, and put other punctuation marks outside unless they are part of thing being quoted.

There are many other frequently used punctuation errors, but above-discussed ones are those I have mostly encountered in several writings. Before putting punctuation marks in your sentences, always ask yourself what meaning you want to convey to readers. Accordingly, put marks. In case sentence becomes difficult to punctuate, consider rewriting it, because when a sentence is well written, it almost punctuates itself.

>> Double your income by getting serious about your business

Yes, if you work as a freelance writer, you are running a business. And as a business, you need to take things seriously.

Can you really double your income? Of course you can. Just use your time more efficiently and get more and better-paying clients.

We all know we have too many days when we don't get as much work done as we should. That's fine if you want to view yourself as a lone 'artiste' struggling with writer's block. But it won't cut mustard if you view what you do as a serious business. Use your time efficiently. Get work done.

And promote your services. If you are truly too shy to pick up phone or speak in front of a crowd, at least use your writing skills and create a promotional sales package you can send out to prospective clients.

And here's easiest way to double your income: get better clients and negotiate higher fees. In fact, better quality of client, more open they will be to negotiation, and more they will respect your work.

>> Concluding thoughts...

The first step to doubling your income this year is to change your attitude about your work. Think of yourself as a BUSINESS. You are. And apply all disciplines that are used when running a business. Aim to make money. Organize your time. Get job done.

It isn't so very hard. And result will be that you'll make a great deal more money, and will probably enjoy your work a lot more at same time.