I want to make it clear that the second character is completing the sentence of a common saying, which another character has begun reciting. I worry that "finishes" is a weird dialogue tag and/or the italics are unnecessary. What do you think? --- "If ancient magic holds true." "And it always does," he finishes.
an interrupt is usually signified with an "em" dash, so, assuming that we have already established who is talking "If ancient magic holds true–" "and it always does." I am not sure whether "and" should be capitalised, mind.
i don't think you need the italics but to note the transition you can do something like, john murmurs, "if ancient magic holds true-" "-and it always does." carl finished then you have the two look at each other and nod or something lmao.
I would put the dialogue tag on the first character. "Finishes" is not a tag you will encounter, most of the time. "Do you think it will work?" asked Jill. "If ancient magic holds true..." began Jack. "...and it always does." Or, as others have posted above, use an em dash if it's an abrupt interruption. Ellipses if one character is waiting for the other to finish off the sentence, or trails off and the other character finishes it for them.
Thank you all! I didn't think of an em dash because I hadn't visualized it as an interruption... more like the second speaker "picking up" the phrase when the first speaker lets it trail off. I imagine an ellipsis would work too? although I think i'll just change it to an interruption anyway, seeing as everyone gravitated to that being the case. You're right. Thank you
okay maybe i'll keep it as "trailing off"... Thank you for this! it's clear to me that this reads better
I'm tempted to use both, like this: "If ancient magic holds true—" Jack began. "... and it always does." Jill kicked him in the nads and stole his lunch money. Just throwing in a generic action beat, replace with a more appropriate one (unless this does fit 2nd character's personality, which is doubtful.)
