How to Write a Text Message in a Book: A Guide for Authors
Writing text messages within a book can add realism, personality, and pace to your narrative. However, formatting them correctly is crucial for readability and avoiding jarring transitions for your reader. This guide will walk you through various methods and best practices, addressing common questions authors face.
Choosing the Right Method:
There are several ways to represent text messages in a book, each with its advantages and disadvantages:
- Indented Paragraphs: This is a simple method, especially for longer text exchanges. Indent the entire message, potentially using a different font or size to distinguish it from regular narrative text. This approach is best for less frequent text interactions. Example:
Sarah: Hey! Are you almost here? Traffic's a nightmare. Mark: Almost! Should be there in 10. See you soon.
- Dialogue Format: If the text exchange is short and forms part of a larger conversation, using dialogue formatting can work well. Example:
“Sarah texted, ‘Hey! Are you almost here? Traffic’s a nightmare.’ Mark replied, ‘Almost! Should be there in 10. See you soon.’”
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Screencaps or Visual Representations: For visual novels or graphic novels, you might use an actual graphic representation of a text message. This approach adds visual interest but requires additional design work.
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Bolding: Simply bolding the text can be used for very short messages but can quickly become difficult to read for longer exchanges. Example:
Sarah: Hey! Mark: Almost!
Key Considerations for Formatting Text Messages in a Book:
- Clarity and Readability: Your primary goal is readability. Avoid overly stylized formats that confuse the reader. Choose a method that clearly distinguishes the messages from the surrounding narrative.
- Consistency: Maintain consistency throughout your book. Once you choose a formatting style, stick with it to avoid distracting the reader.
- Contextual Clues: Use contextual clues within the narrative to make it clear when a character is reading or sending a text. Avoid ambiguity.
- Brevity: Remember that text messages are typically short and to the point. Reflect this brevity in your writing to enhance realism.
- Character Voice: Use language and tone that are appropriate for each character’s personality and the context of the message.
Addressing Common Questions:
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How do I show the time a text was sent? You can add a timestamp discreetly within parentheses or brackets, e.g.,
(10:37 AM)or[10:37 AM]. Overusing timestamps can be distracting though. -
How do I indicate unread messages or notifications? If crucial to the plot, you could use descriptions like, “Sarah saw a notification flash on her phone: three unread messages from Mark.”
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How do I depict deleted messages or those that went unsent? You might describe these events in the narrative, for example: “Sarah typed a furious reply, then deleted it, unwilling to send it.”
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Should I use abbreviations and internet slang? Use these elements sparingly and appropriately to reflect the character’s personality and the overall tone of your book.
By following these guidelines, you can seamlessly integrate text messages into your book, adding depth and realism to your characters and storytelling. Remember, the key is clarity and consistency in your formatting to create a smooth and engaging reading experience.
