I am confused as to how to correctly write the ticking of the clock. Are any if the versions listed below accurate? I am using tick tock to reference silence and being able to hear the ticking of an old clock. Tick Tock Tick. Tock. You get the idea., any help and suggestions would greatly be appreciated
Is there a "correct" way? Either way works for me, although the lack of punctuation in the first example might distress people. If it's a grandfather clock, the pace would be even slower: Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. If it's a wristwatch, you could hold it close to your ear and hear: "tickatickatickaticka..." Unless, of course, it's a battery-powered digital watch, in which case you'd hear " " Seriously, just write it a few different ways, and see what works best for you. Trust your ear (pun more or less intended).
I don't think there is much of a "correct" way, but this dictionary prefers tick-tock. https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/tick-tock I usually write tick, tock myself. Then again, I use it in dialogue more than narrative. If you wanted to build up tension before something happens in your narrative, I'd go for Tick. Tock. That places more emphasis on each second that passes.
I think I would go for "tick tock ... tick tock" or "tick tock. tick tock" to give the idea that there are two rhythms in a mechanical clock. But that is my Morse Code background, sounding like the letter A being repeated "didah. didah. didah"
