Nov 7, 2022
There don’t seem to be any universal rules for indicating texting in books and short stories. How do you handle it?
I’ve looked for the rules, and everyone is like me- we’re winging it. I’ve experimented with several ways of showing text messages in my stories. Here are the two variants I’ve used:
Annabelle had texted me back. “*#&* Broke down near Clarksburg. You?”
“Rest stop near the border. Jake and three more.”
“That’s one too many.”
from The Baron’s Cufflinks
Here’s the second version:
All three of our cell phones buzzed in succession. I got to the text first, a group message from Eli.
Big Steelers game tonight. The roads are a disaster. I’ll find a hotel to hole up in. See you tomorrow.
My phone buzzed again with a second text.
I’ll call you when I get settled. Love you. I hoped that hadn’t gone to the guys, too. But they were putting their phones away, so it came to only me.
Be safe. I texted back. Love you too.
“You guys want to help me put the food away?” I asked, pushing myself out of the chair. I needed to stay awake until Eli’s call.
Lando stuffed his phone into his pocket. “Sure, if you help us kill off some zombies afterward.”
from The Contessa’s Brooch
In both versions, I’ve indicated the use of text messages by the characters. I also used italics in both, but in one I used quotation marks. I’m torn about which is better.
The first one, with the quotation marks, is a better indicator of the idea that a conversation is taking place. It’s the same thing as talking to someone, but doing it with a modern version of passing notes in class. The second style, with no quotation marks, looks ‘cleaner’ to my eyes.
I’ve seen some authors use standard style letters for texts, which makes sense if you consider it a form of conversation. It’s a matter of making it clear to the reader how the communication is happening.
That’s why I mostly stick to the italics and quotation marks style. I’d love to hear what you think- tell me in the comments. You can find out how the other authors on this hop show text messages by following the links below.
And, as always, please stay safe until next time.
Nov 7, 2022
There don’t seem to be any universal rules for indicating texting in books and short stories. How do you handle it?
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I agree – the style with no quotation marks looks cleaner.
Tweeted.
Any method seems OK to me, as long as you can tell where it’s coming from, especially if it’s important to the plot
If they aren’t important to the story, I might not quote them at all and just have a character mention them.
I don’t use quotation marks but do use italics. I tend to use inverted commas at the beginning and end of the text too.
My problem with straight italics is that in my paranormal series, I use italics to indicate telepathic thoughts. I wanted to use something different for texting.
I also use italics for thoughts, but I suppose it’s how you write those thoughts so that readers don’t confuse them with texts?
Both of those work, in that it’s clear to me that I’m readng a text conversation. In the end, all that matters is that you bring the reader with you, right? @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
exactly!