Separating "hand written" letters from normal text

Songbird21 · Apr 14, 2010

I'm working on a novel and need some advice. There is a part where the heroine reads a letter from her mother and I need to make the text of the letter different from the normal dialogue somehow. Should I italicize it or is there another way?

Thanks,
Song

Cogito · Apr 14, 2010

Don't italicize it. How about setting it off as a block quote (an indented region of text, without quote marks, tags, or beats embedded -- just the literal text).

Jacob carefully unfolded the flimsy letter and read the spidery script:
Dearest Uncle Vernon,

I regret to report that I have been unable to collect the final clues to the family treasures. The last message I uncovered spoke of a seafarer's vision, but nothing of nautical nature came to light in my quest. I fear one of two things. Either the item referred to has been moved or destroyed over the years, or I have misread the clue completely.

I have recently been diagnosed with an affliction of the airway, and must take leave to an arid locale to recover. Yet my heart tells me I shall not return here in this life. Therefore, I have reported my progress, in the hope that others of our line may locate the items and restore our respectability.

Your loving nephew,
Percival

Jacob gently placed the letter on the desk. Percival had never posted the letter, and Vernon never learned of Percival's final discoveries.
Click to expand...

Songbird21 · Apr 14, 2010

Thank you very much. I think I will go with that.

Log in or Sign up

Songbird21 Member

Separating "hand written" letters from normal text

Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

Songbird21 Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Songbird21 Member

Separating "hand written" letters from normal text

Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

Songbird21 Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches