Can I get some grammar help?

[Hot Lava Mama]

We are working on WT1, and I need a little help.

One of the rules is that you start a new paragraph with each new speaker. So here is my ds entry:

"It is a shame to ruin such a fine horse like that," said Alexander. He wanted to ride the horse. ????? Question 1: DO I START A NEW PARAGRAPH HERE...IT ISN'T A NEW SPEAKER ?????? He asked his father, "If you let me try to ride the horse and I fail, I will pay you the amount it costs." ????? Question 2: DO I START A NEW PARAGRAPH HERE....IT'S STILL ALEXANDER SPEAKING???? Alexander went to the horse and said, "Let's turn you this way." ?????Question 3: DO I START A NEW PARAGRAPH HERE...NO TALKING, ONLY ACTION, BUT IT IS ALEXANDER DOING THE ACTION When the horse did not see his shadow Alexander hopped on his back.

Perhaps someone stronger in grammar could be of some help?? Thanks!:tongue_smilie:

[chai]

I don't consider myself to be a grammar expert, but I'll take a stab at this.
I think that the section below could be one, possibly two paragraphs. Because Alexander is speaking in the sentences, you do not need a new paragraph. However, there seems to be a change in scene when Alexander goes to the horse--you could possibly put a new paragraph there, but I vote for one.


"It is a shame to ruin such a fine horse like that," said Alexander. He wanted to ride the horse.He asked his father, "If you let me try to ride the horse and I fail, I will pay you the amount it costs." Alexander went to the horse and said, "Let's turn you this way." When the horse did not see his shadow Alexander hopped on his back.


OR


"It is a shame to ruin such a fine horse like that," said Alexander. He wanted to ride the horse.He asked his father, "If you let me try to ride the horse and I fail, I will pay you the amount it costs."

Alexander went to the horse and said, "Let's turn you this way." When the horse did not see his shadow Alexander hopped on his back.

[BizyPenguin]

I think either way would work, but I actually think the second example she showed, using two paragraphs, is the better choice, since the scene does seem to change. HTH!

[pixelroper]

question best answered by one just to be certain, however, I piping up anyway-

IMHO it should be one paragraph: 1)same speaker; 2)same scene(no time leap or obvious change of place)

If some time had passed between the challenge and his turning the horse, such as "After awhile..." or some such thing, it would make sense to start another paragraph-