How do you format text messages

[8letters]

In the story I'm working on, there's several times that I have characters text each other.

I texted Brittney would now be a good time for a call? She texted back yes.

As a beta-reader pointed out, about half the time I included texts, I used bold for the texts and the other half I used italics.

How would you handle the texts in the above section?

 

[NotWise]

In the story I'm working on, there's several times that I have characters text each other.

As a beta-reader pointed out, about half the time I included texts, I used bold for the texts and the other half I used italics.

How would you handle the texts in the above section?

I just use quotation marks. It's clear from your tags and context that they're texting, so I don't see a reason to format it as anything but dialog.

 

[ScrappyPaperDoodler]

Depends on what you want to achieve with the text exchange. Best approach would be to treat it as dialogue. I’m weary about using bold or italics because you might want to reserve that for something like inner-monologue or chapter headings.

You could treat it like a screenplay: the character’s name in all-caps, followed by their dialogue. I did this once and readers didn’t mind the formatting, but they felt it was overused. So, I’d say you should free to get creative, just don’t overdo it.

 

[KeithD]

Yep, just encased in double quotations, no bolding or italics.

 

[SouthernCrossfire]

I always use italics for for letters, e-mails, or text messages. I make it a practice to keep them short in the story, since long sections in italics can be difficult to read for some.

 

[Nellymcboatface]

In the story I'm working on, there's several times that I have characters text each other.

As a beta-reader pointed out, about half the time I included texts, I used bold for the texts and the other half I used italics.

How would you handle the texts in the above section?

If I'm quoting texting within conversation..

"Oh Bill, I've just had a text from mum."
< Hi Jane, mum here ....blah blah.....>
"That's nice Jane, tell her...."

So hopefully it separates the text message from the original conversation.
You need spaces after < and before > so as not to confuse Lit publishing from HTML...

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I use single quotes for texts, double for speech, as well as mentioning it's a text message. I tried various options and that seemed least jarring. Introducing each text with a dash was OK too.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

This is Lit and there is no official rulebook. Provided you keep it consistent, it’s your call.

I am writing an entry for the On The Job event. There are just two texts and, to keep them from being confused with anything else, I am leaning towards them being in bold.

 

[KeithD]

I use single quotes for texts, double for speech, as well as mentioning it's a text message. I tried various options and that seemed least jarring. Introducing each text with a dash was OK too.

That works for the British system, not the American. In American style, single quotes are strictly for quoted material within a quote that has been designated with double quotes. (Chicago Manual of Style 16, 13.28)

 

[SimonDoom]

As long as it's clear, I think just about anything will work. But I would not recommend using boldface or italics alone to denote text dialogue in a Literotica story because it won't show up on the App on a phone.

In the example you gave, if the rendering of the story did not show boldface, it would be confusing.

My default rule is to treat texting like dialogue.

I texted Britney, "Would now be a good time to call?"

"Yes," she texted back.

(in the example you gave I put the text tag after "yes" in the second line to mix it up, and because I generally think it's better to have the tag AFTER the dialogue rather than before)

I am currently working on a story where a Mom and a Son are talking to one another AND texting one another while seated in a car driven by, you guessed it, Dad. So I want to treat dialogue and texting differently. I'm currently working on handling texting this way:

A text appeared on my phone screen.

Mom: Are you comfortable?

I paused before replying.

Me: Yes, very.

This way the reader will come to distinguish the difference between texted and spoken communication during an ongoing event where both types are used often.

But in general I think the better rule is just to treat texting like normal dialogue, and substitute "texted" for "said."

 

[ElectricBlue]

In the story I'm working on, there's several times that I have characters text each other.

As a beta-reader pointed out, about half the time I included texts, I used bold for the texts and the other half I used italics.

How would you handle the texts in the above section?

- I do this - he texted; to designate the similarity with dialogue, but showing it's not quite the same. Keeps it simple, avoids the hassles of bold or italics.

 

[TadOverdon]

I put them in their own paragraph and italicize.

answr yr phone?

The text was from Kelsey Ellis, and it was an hour old.