question about writing

[Lauren Hynde]

Why is it non-Brits sometimes like to tell us the way we do things, then when we contradict them and say it isn't, they have to argue the point?

In my case, it's because I had to learn the rules, and most native speakers just do things out of habit.

 

[Guest]

OK, Lou. You're half-right. I looked it up.

The UK rule is varies on whether the quotation is a regular quotation or if it is an indication of speech.

For example:

US:
The show began with a "sneak preview," held at the hotel.
He made his debut singing in "Faust."

UK:
The show began with a "sneak preview", held at the hotel.
He made his debut singing in "Faust".

But if it's dialogue...

US:
"The police," he protested, "have always been fair to me."
"Keep away from me!" she shouted. "I hate you!"

UK:
'The police,' he protested, 'have always been fair to me.'
'Keep away from me!' she shouted. 'I hate you!'


It would be easier to show examples if Amazon.co.uk had that "Look Inside" thing!

Yep, just as I thought. I was under the impression that dialogue only was being discussed in this thread. I was almost completely right.

I would have been completely right, if you hadn't made that error in your earlier post, with the dialogue examples. That's what made me think you were talking about dialogue alone. Had you mentioned direct quotes, then I would have stated that, yes, punctuation is done outside of the direct quote.

 

[Guest]

In my case, it's because I had to learn the rules, and most native speakers just do things out of habit.

But you got it wrong. Come on, admit it.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Yep, just as I thought. I was under the impression that dialogue only was being discussed in this thread. I was almost completely right.

And it also explains why the dialogue in my own stories wasn't fitting the theory I was arguing.

'Where did I–?'

'I think it's in your shirt pocket,' she said pointing the familiar bulge on his chest.

'Uh, right... Um... Sorry about that.'


-- in "Plastic Love"

 

[inkstain]

tatelou/lauren, this is a good education!

while we're still on the subject (well, i am, anyway !)

i've never been clear on the rules (or maybe its just aesthetics) for breaking up lines when you use dialogue. Sorry, that wasnt explained very well:

I mean that sometimes, i don't start dialogue at the begininng of a line, or end it at the end; like this:


He belched loudly. “What the hell did I eat?” he asked himself.


Does that look okay?

(i'm not sure about the cap. after the question mark either)

 

[Guest]

tatelou/lauren, this is a good education!

while we're still on the subject (well, i am, anyway)

i've never been clear on the rules (or maybe its just aesthetics) for breaking up lines when you use dialogue. Sorry, that wasnt explained very well:

I mean that sometimes, i don't start dialogue at the begininng of a line, or end it at the end; like this:


He belched loudly. “What the hell did I eat?” he asked himself.


Does that look okay?

(i'm not sure about the cap. after the question mark either)

First off, I am going to confuse you further here, because that isn't dialogue. It's an internal thought. I italicise internal thoughts, and I know a lot of others do, but there isn't a hard and fast convention on that. Some put internal thoughts in single quote marks.

If it were dialogue, and he was asking that aloud, to someone else, for example, then, yes, that would be fine. No capital letter after the question mark and closing speech marks.

As it is, i.e. internal thought, you do not need an indicator. It is clear he is thinking to himself. That is, if it is in italics.

Lou

Edited to add: Or did he say that out loud? Now I'm confused.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

I mean that sometimes, i don't start dialogue at the begininng of a line, or end it at the end; like this:


He belched loudly. “What the hell did I eat?” he asked himself.


Does that look okay?

(i'm not sure about the cap. after the question mark either)

That looks OK to me.

The only rule for breaking up dialogue that I follow is not to make narration that refers to other characters' actions. I also prefer not to make any references even to the correct character if it doesn't have directly to do with the speech. Your example is borderline. I would personally be more comfortable with:


He belched loudly.

"What the hell did I eat?" he asked himself.


For a pre-speech tag to look well to me, it would have to be more like:


He belched loudly and asked himself, "what the hell did I eat?"


And the lower cap after the question mark is correct the way you had it. It would only be an upper cap if it were a completely different sentence:


"What the hell did I eat?" He pushed himself off the table and immediately crashed onto the sofa.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Edited to add: Or did he say that out loud? Now I'm confused.

I assumed he said it out loud.

 

[Guest]

I assumed he said it out loud.

LOL! Probably right.

 

[inkstain]

oh no, that reminds me of when i used to ask my english teacher a question and he would start writing stuff on the blackboard and crossing it out until he was as confused as everyone else.

ive just come to the conclusion that if i carry on like this, ill never get the story submitted! im a terrible procrastinator, its probably alright as it is. i've read really crappy stuff from a grammar point of view that ive still liked reading on here anyway.

probably im trying to find more excuses not to submit. i mean, its just porn after all

thank you, im going to go and finish my story now. Really really.

J.

ps i can see how people get addicted to bulletin boards. I feel like ive had a nice natter!