Is only one of these "sentences" correct?

Austin, the Grammar and Syntax part of the forum is here:

http://absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?111-Grammar-and-Syntax

I'd suggest asking a mod to move this thread over to Grammar and Syntax. This really isn't the right area at all.

AustinF said:

You’re just following me, go home.

You’re just following me. Go home.

Yeah, first one is a comma splice.

Also this...

I find it's better not to get feedback from people I know personally; I just wanted to show you my progress.

vs

I find it's better not to get feedback from people I know personally. I just wanted to show you my progress.

Click to expand...

Those are equivalent.

If the phrases before and after the comma both make sense as complete sentences, that's a comma splice and is generally considered incorrect.

You can sometimes get away with comma splices when the phrases are short, particularly in fiction where you've got more stylistic wiggle room. That's especially true for dialogue, since a comma splice is sometimes a better representation of how we talk.

Semicolons have a number of uses, but the way you've used one here is correct; both sides of the semicolon should be able to stand as separate sentences. Your example is also correct with a full stop.

The difference is that a semicolon emphasises the link between the two phrases, while a full stop doesn't.

In the context of informal fictional narrative, you can probably get away with any of these versions. Although I'd prefer the second version of your first example, because it conveys better the way I think a character would speak it. The first version is, technically, a comma splice, and would be frowned upon in more formal writing just for that reason.

caw