Hi everyone,
I usually write in 1st person, now that I'm writing something in 3rd I'm finding it confusing conveying the character's internal thoughts. I know there are a number of ways of doing this, and was wondering which techniques people tend to favour, and which, in you prefer when reading?
Can I use all of the different techniques in the one MS? Or is better to stick to the one or two?
Thanks in advance
Hi Clare, choose one and stick to it. You must be consistent throughout.
If you are reporting the person's thoughts, you don't need any special typeface or quotes.
Henry stood at the window watching the world go by. It seemed to him that every dog in town was being walked down his street. Why here? Why couldn't they go on their own territory? - that's reporting.
Looks like very dog in town is being walked down my street. Why here? Why can't they go on their own territory? - that's giving his thoughts directly.
I'd use italics for direct thought. If you start using inverted commas, they clash with the ones you use for speech even if you choose single for thoughts and doubles for speech; plus it looks messy on the page.
In my novel I have a section where the MC is ill and unable to communicate, and I put all her unspoken words into italics, which worked well.
Hope this helps.
Lorraine