Quoting a character outside of speech
Tue, 2015-01-27 18:46
#1
Quoting a character outside of speech
So I have just hit this little stumbling block and would like the wider world's opinion... here is an example -
Jim had a simple rule, always remember your boots.
How would you write this?
Some people say it should be - Jim had a simple rule, 'Always remember your boots.'
Others say - Jim had a simple rule; Always remember your boots.
Jusy curious if there is a right way?
Thanks!
I say, if I'm not actually saying it aloud, it doesn't need speech marks.
'But if I say it then it needs speech marks,' I said.
So Jim had a simple rule: always remember your boots.
Jim always said, remember your boots.
'Remember your boots,' Jim said.
Simples.
I say, if I'm not actually saying it aloud, it doesn't need speech marks.
'But if I say it then it needs speech marks,' I said.
So Jim had a simple rule: always remember your boots.
Jim always said, remember your boots.
'Remember your boots,' Jim said.
Simples.
I agree with Scorpio. Sounds like a narration to me. The words of the story-teller. No quote marks. I experiment with leaving them out of some pieces altogether. Trying to use the natural flow of a conversation. Orthodoxy is more as stated above. If the character is speaking, give them quote marks to perform within.
Parson Thru