Writing text messages

[Reshbod]

Just wondering if there is a preferred method to writing text messages. I'm working on a story that involves texting that leads to light sexting that leads to more.

Is it better to write out the messages as the character sees them or to have the person reading the messages and giving their thoughts at the same time.

I've seen them both ways and don't feel strongly about either. Interested what the general feeling with other writers is.

 

[DryLips]

I think that would depend on if the character is reading the text directly or if they are telling or being told what the text says.

If their reading it, I don’t see a problem with it being spelled out the way the text is written. I think it would be similar to direct dialogue between two characters, sometimes dialogue is not grammatically correct.

 

[SimonDoom]

There have been a couple of threads on this question before in this forum. You might try to looking for them and seeing what the comments were.

I've done some research on this issue, and there does not seem to be a universally accepted convention on how to handle text messages. You will find they are handled many different ways.

I handle text messages like dialogue, except I substitute "texted" for "said."

The only rule is to be clear and consistent. Readers likely will adapt to, and accept, whatever convention you adopt so long as it is clear and consistent.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Just wondering if there is a preferred method to writing text messages. I'm working on a story that involves texting that leads to light sexting that leads to more.

Is it better to write out the messages as the character sees them or to have the person reading the messages and giving their thoughts at the same time.

I've seen them both ways and don't feel strongly about either. Interested what the general feeling with other writers is.

Whatever suits your narrative, I'd have thought. Most writers I've seen treat texts the same way as dialogue, with some indicator that it is a text, read, not spoken, e.g.:

- hi, whatsup? keen to chat, you free? -

I'd also say, use whatever textspeak the character would normally use, to establish part of their character. It would be up to you as to whether you'd use text abbreviations, which make some people cringe. I rarely use texts myself, so my characters tend not to either.

 

[tomlitilia]

I use a name tag and italic. The first time this format is introduced, I make sure it's clear from the description that's it's a text message. Then I assume the reader understands what it is when it happens again. See e.g. https://literotica.com/s/watching-what-exactly

 

[Inkhorn]

Yeah, there’s no set convention. It’s whatever looks best to the author’s eyes. Personally, I do whatever the characters name would be in caps, use a colon, and then the message in italics. Example:



I wanted to sigh when I heard my phone chime with a text notification. It was Jon. I knew it was him before even looking, and my jaw clenched at the mere thought of dealing with him.

JON: U up for party 2nite? I’m up 4 it, see?

The attached photo was disgusting, vulgar, and completely inappropriate. Rather much like Jon himself, really. My thumbs were a blur as I tapped out my revulsion.

MARTHA: Stop sending me dic picks!

No, more needed to be said.

MARTHA: asshole.

 

[JPGmvny]

I use a name tag and italic. The first time this format is introduced, I make sure it's clear from the description that's it's a text message. Then I assume the reader understands what it is when it happens again. See e.g. https://literotica.com/s/watching-what-exactly

{Suzanne:} When does the train get in?

Kerry was pleased she cared enough to want to know.

{Kerry:} 12:30. Hope to see you!!!

And there she, was standing on the platform, holding flowers, as Suzanne went through the door.

 

[tomlitilia]

I like the brackets. I might add that next time I have texting in a story

 

[Reshbod]

I agree. I like the brackets as well.

 

[Polyacrylate]

AwkwardMD had a neat way to format texting in the Orchid series, which is briefly described in this thread: http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=1498184

It gives a right aligned/left aligned display, which makes it appear like texting does on most of our screens. I really liked its effect in the story, but it's probably most important, like many things, to stay consistent in your approach in a given story.

 

[MindsMirror]

We offered a suggestion using html formatting, which someone used here.
-MM

 

[KeithD]

I like the brackets. I might add that next time I have texting in a story

Brackets would be fine, although it really should be straight brackets [ ] rather than curly brackets { }, which exist to be used in legal documentation, not fiction. There would be no rationale not to use the square brackets instead.

Setting off the sentence with a hyphen (e.g., - tell me what you're wearing now -) would be an innovative approach as long as the reader was clear what this technique meant. (And how is the author going to convey that? By stating what follows--"Mary opened and read the text."--I suppose).

Screwing around with left/right margin is screwing around with the site's formatting, and this would seem to me unnecessary screwing around, given other clear methods.

The question comes up occasionally and each time I've checked to see if recognized authorities have considered and dealt with it (it's beyond time they should have). But I don't see that they have. I think it's open for experimentation on a site like Literotica then.

In mainstream publishing, they would continue to introduce the texts as being texts and render the texts in quotes (and maybe indent them in print copy) to stay as close to standard authority guidelines as possible until the authorities address the issue.

 

[Hypoxia]

We offered a suggestion using html formatting, which someone used here.
-MM

I'll remind y'all that many many LIT readers use the Android app or other viewers that don't render HTML tags. Meaning will be lost if dependent on bolds, italics, underscores, or indents.

 

[KeithD]

I'll remind y'all that many many LIT readers use the Android app or other viewers that don't render HTML tags. Meaning will be lost if dependent on bolds, italics, underscores, or indents.

But double quotes and square brackets would hold, I presume?