Grammar doesn't fall under any of the three elements, but that doesn't mean it isn't an essential skill we can't all get better at using. 

From the humble coma, to the elite parentheses--punctuation given notoriety as the old school emoji smile, an unfounded honor considering figuring out how to use them makes me do anything but smile--grammar is a beast.  

In all transparency, it's my least confident section. I've done extensive research on the examples I use throughout this chapter, so I'm positive their uses are accurate and credit worthy. In my own writing, I work under the less endorsed idea that writing is like art, and punctuation rules are guidelines I can choose to smudge and frame over it they interfere with my progress.

Honestly, you can hire a professional copy and line editor to polish any rough edges in your story. As the author, it's your job to find, excavate, and identify the jewels. (Hard enough as it is, right?)

With that sigh of relief, let's talk "uses and truths" to live by with grammar.

A good rule of thumb in fiction writing: Treat punctuation like family visits.

Let's set the scene: You're in your twenties and still living at home. Your parents are supportive and always there; the comas and periods hold your sentence life together. 

Your grown up siblings (exclamations and italicizes) still live in your hometown and are prompt for your weekly family dinner.

Then you have your favorite uncles (ellipses and em dashes). They bring dramatic stories and anticipation of exotic souvenirs at in frequent intervals.

Then live the gnarled limbs on your family tree. There's the great aunt (all caps exclamation) that pinches your cheek and asks when you're going to find a husband. Best case scenario: It's a quick once or twice a year visit that leaves you relatively unscathed. 

*Remember, the more you use all caps, the less impact the words will have.

Of course, there's also your brother's former college roommates (semi-colons and colons). For the sake of novel writing, I'd avoid these like an assault charge on my record. 

Wait! Of course you should use colons, semi, bodily, or otherwise. They're tools to clarify and boost the drama in your story. But . . . using them incorrectly can back fire on you. 

And really, why give yourself the headache? 

But this is a guide, and I'd be remiss if I didn't address each one.

Briefly.