First assignment for Clevernick

[Clevernick]

Taking the discussion in a different direction, let me ask all of you experts if it is indeed "wrong" to write the way I speak.

My grammar is generally good. But I am fond of splitting a sentence in two, beginning the second half with a conjunction. Because that's just the rhythm I use--sometimes. It sounds right.

Rewriting the above "correctly" would give either the run-on:

"My grammar is generally good, but I am fond of splitting a sentence in two, beginning the second half with a conjunction, because that's just the rhythm I use--sometimes."

Or Rhabbi's recommended:

"My grammar is generally good. I am fond of splitting a sentence in two, beginning the second half with a conjunction. That's just the rhythm I use--sometimes."

This last sounds clipped and unnatural to me. Also, the connections between the thoughts are less clear.

I could make them clearer, at the cost of sounding even more unnatural:

"My grammar is generally good. I am, however, fond of splitting a sentence in two, beginning the second half with a conjunction. Why? That's just the rhythm I use--sometimes."

The incorrect method in my first example also puts the pauses exactly where I'd like them put, were I directing the speech.

I'm wondering if knowing the rules and when and how I'm breaking them gives me the license to do so, in the service of a more natural speech rhythm that echoes my own.

I can see a few obvious arguments against this --

1) It is distracting to the reader. (If it is, I lose and you win -- I'll reform)
2) It's grammatically incorrect. (Grammar in the descriptive or prescriptive sense?)
3) This is Writer's Block Level One, and when you successfully make it to Level Four you may be permitted a bit of license. (Granted)

What are your thoughts, oh writer tutors?

P.S. Yes, thanks Tessa! I do intend to add more of Alex and Miranda's adventure. I just got tired of writing at that point.