“Do I use an ellipses or a em dash? Does the comma go inside the quotation marks or out? So many questions when writing, especially that pesky dialogue with all of its rules. Today we will demystify how to properly format your dialogue.
As always you can watch the video version here:
Here are 6 key tips with examples!
1. Let’s define it – Dialogue is actually spoken by your characters and should be in quotes (This is not internal dialogue or thoughts). The proper punctuation goes inside the quotes as well.
Example from The Crimson Gods:
“Please Goran, I am no lady,” she said teasingly with the hint of a smile. The guard’s face turned turnip red. “How fairs your mother?” she asked.
2. Internal dialogue (otherwise known as thoughts).
Quotation marks should be reserved for writing spoken dialogue. Some writers use italics to indicate internal voice. I personally decided to use italics as it adds a layer of narrative to distance between the character’s thoughts and what’s actually happening in the scene. Your format will depend on your writing style as well as whether you are writing in the first person or third person point of view.
Example with a tag from The Crimson Gods prologue:
The last proper inn he had left four or five days before had been in the eastern most kingdom of Ethorya, along with his last decent meal and feather bed. That barn in Thurel did not count, he thought.
And another without a tag:
He then glanced a broken sapling laid over on the wall, with black sap oozing from the break like a festering wound. That would be a good place to lay his saddle and let it air out. The riding had been long and they both needed a proper bath.
3. What is a dialogue tag and how are they used correctly?
Dialogue tags are a part of the sentence. These are the common tags that reflect that a character is speaking. For example, he said, she muttered, he whispered, etc.
Example from TCG Prologue:
Incorrect: “You are welcome to share my fire Ivan.” Offered Merek.
Correct: “You are welcome to share my fire Ivan,” offered Merek.
In the example above the “o” is lowercase because the dialogue tag is a part of the sentence.
But what if he’s asking a question or exclaiming something? The rule stands:
“Would you like to share my fire Ivan?” offered Merek.
BUT, if there is an action before the dialogue that is not a tag, its a separate sentence:
Incorrect: Ash cut him off, “We can speak another time, perhaps tonight?”
Correct: Ash cut him off. “We can speak another time, perhaps tonight?”
4. Start a new paragraph – Every time a new person speaks. Even if it’s just one word.
Example from TCG, Chapter 1:
“Ash!” called a voice through the surrounding song of commerce. She turned to see Mitch, her brother’s retainer. “Slow down, where are you going?” he asked.
She rolled her eyes but put on a smile. “That’s none of your concern, why do you care?” she said teasingly.
“At least let me walk with you,” he replied.
5. Every paragraph is indented – EXCEPT at the beginning of a chapter heading or scene break.
6. Ellipses or em dash?
When a character is speaking and there are unsaid words, unsure of what to say, or their words trail off, use ellipses. When a character is interrupted by another character or anything else, use an em dash.
Example form TCG:
“Yes milord, as I said I—”
“Please, call me Merek. No need for such formality here.”
And another example with both:
Sirich wrapped on the door, “My lady? May I—”
“Who are you? I’ve said all I know,” a voice came from behind the door.
“The council in Vaegomar sent me to find justice for your village, for the tragedy…”
Amari had heard the footsteps as Sirich spoke. The door swung open.
And that’s it, the basics at least. If you are wondering where these come from, they come from The Chicago Manual of Style, the standard on which most novels are based.
I hope this helps with that damn confusing dialogue. Whatever you do, keep writing!
~Chris
