this post was submitted on 26 Sep 2023
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A tip about paragraph breaks inside of character speech (beehaw.org)
submitted 1 year ago by Zagaroth@beehaw.org to c/writing@beehaw.org
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So, the rule is that if you have a single character speaking across multiple paragraphs, you don't use end quotes on those paragraphs. I get the intent of the rule, but I think it looks awful and is jarring.

What I have been doing for a long time, is to insert a minor action at the end of that paragraph or the start of the next. I don't even notice that I am doing it anymore, it just feels natural to have a character gesture or emote in some way every so often.

The only reason that this came to mind is that one of my new readers pointed out a spot in Chapter 50 where I had used end quotes on a paragraph break of continuous speech. I edited in a minor action instead, the character was recalling a previous thought process, so I had him lean back in his chair and look up, which is the sort of thing people often do during that sort of thought.

One of the advantages of publishing a serial online, you potentially get some good feedback. :)

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[–] Profilename1@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I feel like I've seen paragraphs end with quotation marks and then pick back up with more quotation marks on the next paragraph in serious literature, so I'd say write how you want. That said, it is good to break up walls of dialogue every now and then to set the scene with small details like that.

[–] Zagaroth@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

From the same character's speech (as opposed to switching talkers)? Well, supposedly that's against the rules, but it generally feels better to insert a bit of minor movement anyway :)

[–] Profilename1@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 year ago

I'd say it depends on the length of the dialogue. If we're talking about 2-3 lines, then yeah, it should only be done on switching. If we're talking about a speech that lasts several pages, I would think that it should be clear from context clues who is speaking.

Anyway, don't get hung up on rules! Write how you want! Have a style!