Need some help with an idea.

[A BAND APART]

Please help me.
I am currently working on a story, that would pretty much be, a simple showing of a woman's diary. I do not forsee it having much dialog in it. It would begin with the husband telling that he found his wife's diary. He would then tell in short, about how he felt about , the things he had read in it. I would then start, a day by day showing of what was in the diary.

My question is, whenever the wife is writing about a conversation she had, should it contain quotations, just like if it was normal dialog in the story?

I can not figure this out. I dont want to screw up a pretty good idea, with major mistakes. Thanks in advance, ABA.

 

[Weird Harold]

My question is, whenever the wife is writing about a conversation she had, should it contain quotations, just like if it was normal dialog in the story?

It would depend on how much importance the character attached to the exact words used by someone she was writing about and the style of prose the character used in her diary. A lot of people write in their diary like it was a letter to a friend. Others write in their diary like it was a resume. Yet others write in their diaries like it was a novel about their lives.

The style used in the diary would play a large part in how much literal quotes were used.

 

[A BAND APART]

Thanks, but would it be to much to ask, for a few examples?
I think I know what your talking about, but lets make sure. If you have the time, it could be a big help!

 

[Weird Harold]

Thanks, but would it be to much to ask, for a few examples?
I think I know what your talking about, but lets make sure. If you have the time, it could be a big help!

Sorry I didn't notice your question sooner.

OK, three diary entries about a new boss.

1:
Dear Dairy,

You wouldn't believe the hunk I have for a new boss! When I was introduced to him, all I could do was stutter, cuz he's just so dreamy. When he said, "Hello," I just creamed in my pants cuz his voice is just so dreamy. I wonder if I can get him into my pants.

2:
Monday:
Met the new Boss today. Good looking man. Wonderfull, sexy voice. Must make seduction plans.

3:
Our intrepid heroine meets the new boss:

"hello, sir," I said to the hunk in the boss' office chair. I wanted to add, "May I please have the pleasure of having my bones jumped by you this evening," but I am just too shy. The mere thought made me blush.

"Hello, Melanie," he replied in a voice that sounded like James Earl Jones seducing a virgin. I just knew he was thinking about how I'd look bent, naked, over his desk.

...

The last entry could go on building a fantasy relationship with the new boss for a page or two based just on the innocent exchange of greetings with a sexy new boss.

It all depends on the character who writes the diary/journal. You have to decide who the character is and what purpose the diary serves in her life.

If the character is male, I would expect more of a journal style like example two than the other examples, although the fantasy narrative style might be used for a man too. I don't think many men use the conversational style of example one -- it's more typical of a young girl's diary.

 

[alltherage]

Applause, Applause. Nice job Harold. Personally I think the qoutations are necessary for you story if only to make sure the reader is clear about the action which takes place in the diary. It will also fuel the response of the mail character because the reading of the entries will be much more personal to him.

Sorry I didn't notice your question sooner.

OK, three diary entries about a new boss.

1:
Dear Dairy,

You wouldn't believe the hunk I have for a new boss! When I was introduced to him, all I could do was stutter, cuz he's just so dreamy. When he said, "Hello," I just creamed in my pants cuz his voice is just so dreamy. I wonder if I can get him into my pants.

2:
Monday:
Met the new Boss today. Good looking man. Wonderfull, sexy voice. Must make seduction plans.

3:
Our intrepid heroine meets the new boss:

"hello, sir," I said to the hunk in the boss' office chair. I wanted to add, "May I please have the pleasure of having my bones jumped by you this evening," but I am just too shy. The mere thought made me blush.

"Hello, Melanie," he replied in a voice that sounded like James Earl Jones seducing a virgin. I just knew he was thinking about how I'd look bent, naked, over his desk.

...

The last entry could go on building a fantasy relationship with the new boss for a page or two based just on the innocent exchange of greetings with a sexy new boss.

It all depends on the character who writes the diary/journal. You have to decide who the character is and what purpose the diary serves in her life.

If the character is male, I would expect more of a journal style like example two than the other examples, although the fantasy narrative style might be used for a man too. I don't think many men use the conversational style of example one -- it's more typical of a young girl's diary.