How do you show interior dialogue for your main character? Do you put it in quotes? Do you italicize it? I have Googled this and just ended up confused. What is the best way for WoTF?
Vol. 36: 3rd -- R, 4th -- R
Vol. 37: R, HM, HM, SHM
Vol. 38: HM, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 39: SHM, RWC, RWC, HM
Vol. 40: HM, R, RWC, R
Vol. 41: R, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 42: 1st -- pending
Amateur published stories:
"The Army Ration That Saved the Earth" -- Accepted for publication, waiting for contract
"The Tell-Tale Cricket" in The Murderbugs Anthololgy
"Follow the Pretrons" in Martian Magazine, and a Critters Award
"Eyes and Hands" in Galaxy's Edge Magazine
"The Last Dance" in Parliament of Wizards, LTUE anthology
"My Ten Cents" in Sci Fi Lampoon
Professional Publication:
"Invasion" in Daily Science Fiction
How do you show interior dialogue for your main character? Do you put it in quotes? Do you italicize it? I have Googled this and just ended up confused. What is the best way for WoTF?
When you say interior dialogue, are you talking thought processes or an exchange between multiple characters? (Italics would probably be best for either, but if it's multiple characters speaking telepathically it may get a bit confusing.)
If you are in difficulties with a book, try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it isn't expecting it. ~ H.G. Wells
If a person offend you, and you are in doubt as to whether it was intentional or not, do not resort to extreme measures; simply watch your chance and hit him with a brick. ~ Mark Twain
R, SF, SHM, SHM, SHM, F, R, HM, SHM, R, HM, R, F, SHM, SHM, SHM, SF, SHM, 1st Place (Q2 V38)
Ticknor Tales
Twitter
4th and Starlight: e-book | paperback
I am a fan of free indirect speech, which does not use italics, but you can still use italics to convey direct thoughts. I have only seen quotes used for something said aloud, whether to themselves or another person.
v 29 : - HM - - | v 30 : - - - - | v 31 : - - - HM | v 32 : - HM - HM | v 33 : R HM R SHM | v 34 : SHM SHM HM R | v 35 : HM R R R | v 36 : - R R R | v 37 : - - - HM | v 38 : - - - HM | v 39 : HM - - R | v 40: - HM - SHM | v 41: R
My published works
I am a fan of free indirect speech, which does not use italics, but you can still use italics to convey direct thoughts. I have only seen quotes used for something said aloud, whether to themselves or another person.
I'm also a fan of free indirect speech, though I've experimented with italics from time to time. It really depends on what I'm trying to do with a story, I guess.
I have, from time to time, literally had one character speak into another's head, because I've written stories where symbiotic spirit possession is a thing. In those cases, I use italics to represent the speaker who's less 'in control' talking directly into the other character's mind, and have the other character reply out loud. Makes for some interesting conversations (also potentially awkward if other people overhear, but that just makes for more interesting conflict).
If you are in difficulties with a book, try the element of surprise: attack it at an hour when it isn't expecting it. ~ H.G. Wells
If a person offend you, and you are in doubt as to whether it was intentional or not, do not resort to extreme measures; simply watch your chance and hit him with a brick. ~ Mark Twain
R, SF, SHM, SHM, SHM, F, R, HM, SHM, R, HM, R, F, SHM, SHM, SHM, SF, SHM, 1st Place (Q2 V38)
Ticknor Tales
Twitter
4th and Starlight: e-book | paperback
How do you show interior dialogue for your main character? Do you put it in quotes? Do you italicize it? I have Googled this and just ended up confused. What is the best way for WoTF?
When you say interior dialogue, are you talking thought processes or an exchange between multiple characters? (Italics would probably be best for either, but if it's multiple characters speaking telepathically it may get a bit confusing.)
I like the way you think! I was thinking along this line, "What is in the box?," he wondered. So I guess I should write it this way: What is in the box? he wondered.
Vol. 36: 3rd -- R, 4th -- R
Vol. 37: R, HM, HM, SHM
Vol. 38: HM, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 39: SHM, RWC, RWC, HM
Vol. 40: HM, R, RWC, R
Vol. 41: R, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 42: 1st -- pending
Amateur published stories:
"The Army Ration That Saved the Earth" -- Accepted for publication, waiting for contract
"The Tell-Tale Cricket" in The Murderbugs Anthololgy
"Follow the Pretrons" in Martian Magazine, and a Critters Award
"Eyes and Hands" in Galaxy's Edge Magazine
"The Last Dance" in Parliament of Wizards, LTUE anthology
"My Ten Cents" in Sci Fi Lampoon
Professional Publication:
"Invasion" in Daily Science Fiction
I am a fan of free indirect speech, which does not use italics, but you can still use italics to convey direct thoughts. I have only seen quotes used for something said aloud, whether to themselves or another person.
What is indirect free speech? Could you give me an example? It sounds intriguing.
Vol. 36: 3rd -- R, 4th -- R
Vol. 37: R, HM, HM, SHM
Vol. 38: HM, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 39: SHM, RWC, RWC, HM
Vol. 40: HM, R, RWC, R
Vol. 41: R, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 42: 1st -- pending
Amateur published stories:
"The Army Ration That Saved the Earth" -- Accepted for publication, waiting for contract
"The Tell-Tale Cricket" in The Murderbugs Anthololgy
"Follow the Pretrons" in Martian Magazine, and a Critters Award
"Eyes and Hands" in Galaxy's Edge Magazine
"The Last Dance" in Parliament of Wizards, LTUE anthology
"My Ten Cents" in Sci Fi Lampoon
Professional Publication:
"Invasion" in Daily Science Fiction
I am a fan of free indirect speech, which does not use italics, but you can still use italics to convey direct thoughts. I have only seen quotes used for something said aloud, whether to themselves or another person.
What is indirect free speech? Could you give me an example? It sounds intriguing.
https://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php ... speech.php gives a decent explanation. Basically, it's the thought, told in third person, without the "he thought" marker. So to use your box example:
free indirect speech
He set the box on the table. What had he put in here? He opened it.
vs direct thought
He set the box on the table. What did I put in here? He opened it.
v 29 : - HM - - | v 30 : - - - - | v 31 : - - - HM | v 32 : - HM - HM | v 33 : R HM R SHM | v 34 : SHM SHM HM R | v 35 : HM R R R | v 36 : - R R R | v 37 : - - - HM | v 38 : - - - HM | v 39 : HM - - R | v 40: - HM - SHM | v 41: R
My published works
Yes, I see. Free indirect speech has more visual action to it. I get into the character's head easier vs direct thought. This is awesome! Thank you so much!
Vol. 36: 3rd -- R, 4th -- R
Vol. 37: R, HM, HM, SHM
Vol. 38: HM, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 39: SHM, RWC, RWC, HM
Vol. 40: HM, R, RWC, R
Vol. 41: R, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 42: 1st -- pending
Amateur published stories:
"The Army Ration That Saved the Earth" -- Accepted for publication, waiting for contract
"The Tell-Tale Cricket" in The Murderbugs Anthololgy
"Follow the Pretrons" in Martian Magazine, and a Critters Award
"Eyes and Hands" in Galaxy's Edge Magazine
"The Last Dance" in Parliament of Wizards, LTUE anthology
"My Ten Cents" in Sci Fi Lampoon
Professional Publication:
"Invasion" in Daily Science Fiction
You're welcome!
v 29 : - HM - - | v 30 : - - - - | v 31 : - - - HM | v 32 : - HM - HM | v 33 : R HM R SHM | v 34 : SHM SHM HM R | v 35 : HM R R R | v 36 : - R R R | v 37 : - - - HM | v 38 : - - - HM | v 39 : HM - - R | v 40: - HM - SHM | v 41: R
My published works
How do you show interior dialogue for your main character? Do you put it in quotes? Do you italicize it? I have Googled this and just ended up confused. What is the best way for WoTF?
When you say interior dialogue, are you talking thought processes or an exchange between multiple characters? (Italics would probably be best for either, but if it's multiple characters speaking telepathically it may get a bit confusing.)
I like the way you think! I was thinking along this line, "What is in the box?," he wondered. So I guess I should write it this way: What is in the box? he wondered.
You could also avoid the situation altogether by writing something like this:
He turned the box over, the inlaid woodwork smooth against his fingertips. The multi-colored grain patterns outside the box were beautiful, but the contents inside remained a mystery.
"You can either sit here and write, or you can sit here and do nothing. But you can’t sit here and do anything else."
— Neil Gaiman, Masterclass
Drop me a line at https://morganbroadhead.com
SFx1
HMx5
R/RWCx5
When you say interior dialogue, are you talking thought processes or an exchange between multiple characters? (Italics would probably be best for either, but if it's multiple characters speaking telepathically it may get a bit confusing.)
I like the way you think! I was thinking along this line, "What is in the box?," he wondered. So I guess I should write it this way: What is in the box? he wondered.
You could also avoid the situation altogether by writing something like this:
He turned the box over, the inlaid woodwork smooth against his fingertips. The multi-colored grain patterns outside the box were beautiful, but the contents inside remained a mystery.
That is beautiful.
Vol. 36: 3rd -- R, 4th -- R
Vol. 37: R, HM, HM, SHM
Vol. 38: HM, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 39: SHM, RWC, RWC, HM
Vol. 40: HM, R, RWC, R
Vol. 41: R, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 42: 1st -- pending
Amateur published stories:
"The Army Ration That Saved the Earth" -- Accepted for publication, waiting for contract
"The Tell-Tale Cricket" in The Murderbugs Anthololgy
"Follow the Pretrons" in Martian Magazine, and a Critters Award
"Eyes and Hands" in Galaxy's Edge Magazine
"The Last Dance" in Parliament of Wizards, LTUE anthology
"My Ten Cents" in Sci Fi Lampoon
Professional Publication:
"Invasion" in Daily Science Fiction