Quotation Marks on "Thoughts"

hbar

I was in on the discussion at LL, being the obstinate individual I am I submitted stuff with italics in single quotes. I don't think the single quotes worked so well though and would clearly choose italics if possible.

I played with the [thought box] idea, but it felt really awkward.

I think eventually I just kind of gave up and went with the he thought, she thought thing and at times nothing hoping the reader would know. Clearly not an effective strategy.

Not a big help I realize.

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jillbaby

I have been writing stories for only a short time, so with the misplaced arrogance of the novice, here goes.

I have not used quote marks for thoughts, anI have been taken to task for this by more experienced writers.
I am delighted to learn from contributions to this topic that it is optional.
I think we all agree that the effect that we have on the reader is paramount. My view is that using quotations around thoughts can be confusing for the reader, particularly when it occurs among dialogue. I imagine a reader thinking - who said that ?

As regards the suggestion by JP that italics are an alternative, I disagree. I think that italics should be used for emphasis. But what do I know ? LOL

I don't know if this should be a separate topic, but I am unsure about when to include the words " I thought" after expressing a thought process in the first person. I think that this removes the need for quote marks, but some people tell me it is unnecessary.
Any ideas?

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lushi

Can't say I'm correct on this, but this is how i used single quotes in "Moccasin Bluffs" because I didn't want to say "she thought". It would have ruined the continuity of what had preceded it.

Again! It chilled her but it also made her mad when folks didn’t ask polite-like for things. ‘Everyone shared these days. That’s just what you did!’

The next sentence I wanted to show what she was thinking more as a musing, something that made her smile. Don't know if that came across but this is how i did it.

Pa had made certain to have a cross breeze there so the cows would be content. All she knew was, ‘It kept Laurel content too,’ smiling to herself.

In the following sentence, even though she was actually speaking, I wanted it to be a combination thought and spoken word, so this is how I did that.

As she ran to get bedding and bandages, Laurel chanted, ‘Jackson…Jackson…Jackson.’ His name hung on her lips like melting grains of sugar making her mouth water.

So, who knows what's correct. I just make it work for what I am trying to do or say in the story. I wouldn't worry about what anyone else has to say on the subject. As long as you are consistent and the reader isn't tripped up by what you did, then make yourself comfortable. It's your story.

Lushi

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