I'm old, and still use proper grammar, complete sentences (except in external or internal dialogue, of course), and em dashes for interrupted thoughts--of which my protagonist has many--to introduce amplifications or clarifications. Am I using them correctly?

Any thoughts on how to avoid being distracted by other plot ideas? I tend to have the same problem, or else I go back and tweak prior chapters instead of moving forward...

Is the green emblem some variation of the U.S. Marshall's patch?

Does the iron-on patch on his sleeve say "1789"? What's the significance? I don't recall seeing this on other police uniforms.

Never been published, so my advice is worth little. Tried to write for 30 years, in fits and starts. My kids are grown & gone, but it's still hard to be a 'writer on the side'. I get an hour in before work while my wife sleeps in. Some weekends, too, 'til my wife figures out I'm not doing chores.

Congratulations! from someone who is a year older and has published one fewer novels... I wish you continued success!

Thank you for your response. I think my chapters are ending at the appropriate point, though they're sometimes long, like many of my sentences. Thank you for making me feel better about my dialogue-heavy writing. Probably a good technique, as my first person POV narrator tends to be unreliable. 😆

Right there with ya.

There *will* be , after I re-plot. Total goof on my part: I realized late in the story there was no conflict involving the MC (a 'fixer'). He just resolves the problems of the people around him. So I added a 'bad guy' for him to deal with. Will move him to Chp 3, with a rivalry developing early on.