Tiered story quotation marks

Cidewalk · Mar 14, 2012

I'm writing a story-in-a-story where one character tells a story, then within that story, another character tells a (brief) story.

I know normally quotation marks should alternate double, single, double, etc, (or single, double, single, if the person starts with single, which I've seen a some writers do.)

So when a character (Gordon,) starts telling a story at the beginning of a chapter and continues talking for several chapters, is it acceptable to omit the quotation marks for his telling the story? So far I gave him quotation marks for talking, then every time there's dialogue, I use single quotes, because technically Gordon is quoting other people talking.

(here's the actual changeover)

"My story starts earlier this evening."
#
Gordon's Story
"Our...

The # is the chapter break, and "Gordon's Story" is the working chapter title.

I'm not dedicated to one way or another, but adjusting all the double quotes or single quotes could eat a ton of time, so I wanted to know if there was a standard method or preferred way editors and publishers like to see this done.

I'm not sure how clear my question is, so feel free to ask for clarification.

HoneyBadger · Mar 14, 2012

So, like, there's a scene break then it's all in 1st?

I don't think you need to use any extra quotation marks at all, as long as his story is clearly a separate scene.

I could well be wrong, though. I often am.

Old Hack · Mar 14, 2012

I think I understand what you're suggesting; and if I do, then it looks fine to me.

Deleted member 42 · Mar 14, 2012

Old Hack said:
I think I understand what you're suggesting; and if I do, then it looks fine to me.

I agree with Old Hack, and add that your editor will let you know if the publisher would rather do something else.

LindsayM · Mar 17, 2012

Not a problem! Plenty of books do this, and it looks like you've already found your solution, even if you don't know it yet.

So, you have your main story. The chapter ends with "My story starts earlier this evening."

The next chapter title indicates that Gordon is your MC POV. From there, no extra crazy quotes within quotes necessary. This chapter is being told from Gordon's POV, and that's enough.

As long as you switch chapters before going back to the original POV, you're good to go.

Good luck!

Tiered story quotation marks

Cidewalk

HoneyBadger

terribly loud, emotionally distant

Old Hack

Such a nasty woman

Deleted member 42

LindsayM