"Then," "and then," or something else?

[Dante]

When describing actions/events that occur in quick succession, what's the best transition word or phrase to use?

e.g.

She performs <action> <transition> performs <action>.

Using two (or compound) sentences is a safe choice, but it doesn't flow as succinctly as I'd like it to. Up to this point, I've just used "then," but now I believe that may be grammatically incorrect. Also, I'm thinking using "and" makes it seem like they happen simultaneously. I want to stress the fact that one happens before the other.

I've looked around, but the explanations I've found are sketchy. Anyone that can clear this up...wins a prize, or something. ;)

[FloVoyager]

Can you be a little more specific? An example sentence would help.

[Little Red Barn]

He opened the door, brushed past her, then took the seat closest to the door?
Or
He opened the door and peeked in, then walked over to the bar.
Like that..

[Dante]

Thanks. I guess I was doing it correctly after all.

[ErylRavenwell]

He opened the door, brushed past her, then took the seat closest to the door?
Or
He opened the door and peeked in, then walked over to the bar.
Like that..

The first one is right.

He opened the door, brushed past her, and then took the seat closest to the door.

This is strictly the correct form, but most writers ignore the "and" before the "then", which remember is an adverb here, not a conjunction. THis is the reason you get the green with MS Word.

[Sandi LeFaucheur]

Actually, I'd probably leave out "then".

He opened the door, brushed past her, and took the seat closest to the door.

[FloVoyager]

Actually, I'd probably leave out "then".

He opened the door, brushed past her, and took the seat closest to the door.

Me too.

[Death Wizard]

I think "then" as a conjunctive adverb is effective when used during specific descriptions of action. In fact, it's sometimes needed just to make sense of a situation or to add subtle meaning. For instance:

He snarled at her. He ran from the room.

He snarled at her. Then he ran from the room.

[maestrowork]

Use "and" unless the order of the actions is truly important.

He opened the door, brushed past her, and took the seat closest to the door.

He opened the door, walked up to the ledge, and then jumped off the roof.

But I'd probably do:

He opened the door and walked up to the ledge. Then he jumped off the roof.

[ErylRavenwell]

I think "then" as a conjunctive adverb is effective when used during specific descriptions of action. In fact, it's sometimes needed just to make sense of a situation or to add subtle meaning. For instance:

He snarled at her. He ran from the room.

He snarled at her. Then he ran from the room.

Nod. Gives a sense of continuity.

[chibeth]

I love this reference:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/conjunctions.htm

This has an easily understandable explanation, too:
http://www.mcrw.com/lovenotes/andthen.htm