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I just finished my latest fic - the one for mariojoe, the one she won for Moonridge 2006 (yup, it's only taken me a year to write ::hangs head in abject shame::)
OK, so... this story has quite a lot of first person in it, mostly in third, but switching into 1st from time to time, with the entire first chapter in 1st P; three voices. Now I know when you're reading it, that it should be apparent that it's moved into 1st, and who is talking, but should the formatting reflect that, do you think? I'm just experimenting with italics, different fonts, indenting pars - I'm just not sure...
Italics are probably the easiest, most recognisable way to separate out the 1st P sections, but I'm wondering if that's going to be too hard on the eyes when there are thousands of words of this (almost 3,000 continuous words in the first chapter alone)? - I'm wondering whether it's not better to just leave it all the same and let the narrative passages speak for themselves?
Any advice received with gratitude. (o:
OK, so... this story has quite a lot of first person in it, mostly in third, but switching into 1st from time to time, with the entire first chapter in 1st P; three voices. Now I know when you're reading it, that it should be apparent that it's moved into 1st, and who is talking, but should the formatting reflect that, do you think? I'm just experimenting with italics, different fonts, indenting pars - I'm just not sure...
Italics are probably the easiest, most recognisable way to separate out the 1st P sections, but I'm wondering if that's going to be too hard on the eyes when there are thousands of words of this (almost 3,000 continuous words in the first chapter alone)? - I'm wondering whether it's not better to just leave it all the same and let the narrative passages speak for themselves?
Any advice received with gratitude. (o:
accomplished
Too cool for subject
When I read italics, I "hear" a change in voice -- emphasis, or thoughts, or dream (vision) sequence, or over the telephone, or another language, or sentinel hearing.
:::StarWatcher stares at the list::: Whew! Didn't realize it was so much; impressive what a crooked letter can do. *g*
But first person doesn't justify a "change" in voice -- it's still just "direct" storytelling. And, as you say, reading longer than a short scene in italics can get tiring for the eyes.
I'm wondering whether it's not better to just leave it all the same and let the narrative passages speak for themselves?
That's the solution I'd go with. With a scene break to let us know that 'something' has shifted, the reader should recognize first person -- and who's 'speaking' -- before the first paragraph has finished.
The K.I.S.S. solution -- Keep It Simple, Stupid -- is usually best.
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Too cool for subject
LOL. I shall take that advice and chew on it well. Thank you. (o:
It's a complicated one. I'm inclined to think you're right and to leave it as it is.
And LJ's stopped telling me when people have posted... ::sigh::
Too cool for subject
LOL. I shall take that advice and chew on it well.
*g* It's not original with me. Did you see
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Too cool for subject
Well... It was too, too, tempting
Maybe I should have?
Jeanette.....
Too cool for subject
Too cool for subject
I think Starwatcher's right and it's probably best to just leave it looking all the same and let the voices speak for themselves... ::shrug::
::Quiet squeak:: I don't know...!
Thanks for the advice, though - I'm glad I happened along here on a break and saw your comment; I'm not getting an email heads-up from LJ so lawd knos what else I'm missing. )o:
Too cool for subject
It is, actually. The code is <ul> (unnumbered list) and </ul>
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Too cool for subject
Too cool for subject
I was just playing with it and I think I agree, whatever I do to indicate 1st P. looks messy and *really* hard to read. Some of those passages are really long...