Q&A with Ryan Winfield discussion

I was wondering why you didn't use quotation marks to denote your characters' dialogue? (not complaining just curious)

Hi Brigett. I’m glad you asked that question. I decided against using quotation marks to set off dialogue early in the writing of South of Bixby Bridge. The novel first evolved in timed writing exercises from the point of view of the main character Trevor. My writing process felt a lot like taking dictation directly from Trevor in present tense, as things were happening, so Trevor would narrate using lots of he says and she says, and, when I read the writing back, it was clear to me who was talking. It seemed strange to edit Trevor’s point-of-view narration and add quotation marks. The other punctuation serves to mark Trevor’s tempo in telling the story: comma means pause, period means stop. An em dash means take a breath but keep going—the train has jumped the tracks, but it’s still moving. In the novel I’m writing now, I am using quotation marks, so I’m certainly not against them.

Honestly, I didn't know what to make of not having any quotation marks at first but I got used to it and oddly enough, I found they weren't even necessary. It did have a narration feel to it and I liked it that way.

It was weird to me at first, but once I got into the flow it just made sense for the character.

I will say that when I look at it in printed form as opposed to kindle format it flows much better. I think that the computer formatting throws it off a bit or something.

That makes sense, Shelly. Since the print book was edited prior to the eBook. When I read novels without quotation marks, I find myself more alert, more attentive, and I find that I'm reading in a more audible way. Cormac McCarthy is probably the best at pulling this off.

Sometimes, punctuation can throw the actual timing of the book off, if that makes any sense. I noticed that some made a big deal about this in reviewing the book, but after a while, I just accepted it as a part of Trevor's character. Made one sit up and take notice.

I did find that I actually preferred reading without them. I really liked how you would offset some of the writing apart like it was poetry ( because it really was).

I feel like I missed all that with the Kindle version...I guess I am going to have to re-read it now that I have the printed book!

I have to say, I was one of the complainers about the quotation marks. I was fine with the rest of the punctuation, though.

Just so you understand my side... I play a book like a movie, and each character has a voice, an action. Not having quotations made it harder to play this out in my head. At times I had to go back and reread to get the dialogue, which actually interrupted the flow of the book for me. I would expect anyone else complaining would process a book the same way.

Other than that, I was pleasantly surprised, since I had bought the book thinking it would be something different. It was money well-spent in any case.

Mia.

Reading all of these comments made me realized that I didn't even notice that there were or weren't quotation marks. The novel was so compelling to me when I read it that I simply skimmed the text to get from one sentence to the next.
Now that Bridgett has brought up this topic, I am going to have to pay more attention to the quotation marks that are or aren't in the books I am currently reading.

I actually really enjoyed it without quotation marks. I am obsessed with my Kindle and use it to read aloud to me in my car on my commute and so I found that the whole story actually flowed much better without them. I will say to your credit, Ryan, that I think it probably took some effort on your part to get that nice flow without the use of the quotations but I think it was definitely worth the extra work. It was a nice change really seeing the whole story from inside Trevor's mind and have him narrating to me. :-)

Thanks for the comments everyone. Because we don't use quote marks in screenwriting, and because the character slugs disappear when reading a screenplay, I think my screenwriting background prepared me for writing clear back and forth dialogue without the need for quotation marks. I did use them in the novel I just completed, but not in another I'm working on. I really appreciate the dialogue here and I heard everything each of you wrote, although there isn't one quotation mark in the thread. Smile.

I have to say that for myself, I downloaded the sample chapters to my Kindle, and the lack of quotation marks really bogged me down and made me really "work" at reading Bixby Bridge. SO much so that I have yet to buy and read the entire novel, even though I was very interested in the subject, and really liked the voice.

Maybe I am just old lady, old school. *shrugs* But I read a lot of material in many different formats, and IMO, anything that takes the reader out of the story to try to figure out who's on first is not a good thing. I want to be IN the story, not reminded of it.

That said, in my own writing I will use italics and other devices for internal dialogue that most of my beta readers like, and one or two other readers think is pretentious and annoying. *rolls eyes*

So, go, go, artistic license. Write the book you want to write, the way you want to write it. But consider, if doing it in manner A loses 10% of your readers, and manner B does not, that manner B might be the best choice.

Beverly wrote: "I have to say that for myself, I downloaded the sample chapters to my Kindle, and the lack of quotation marks really bogged me down and made me really "work" at reading Bixby Bridge. SO much so th..."

You should check out Cormac McCarthy and see the things he's doing with langauge and how it's written.

I've read numerous books, different genres. Nothing is harder to read than the oldies... like the classics, or philosophy books. Each book that is different for us takes a bit of time to get into sync and move right along to enjoy or gain the most from. I'm finding (after having a Kindle for nearly 3 yrs) that I can adjust to the style of the author quite rapidly. Writing is an art, and I've come to appreciate the creativity of format and style.

Ok, you all want to see difficult - Read Julius Ceasar in the original. itswrittenlikethiswithnoquotesorspacesoranything. So it seems that writing has/is going full circle. Let's hope that we don't go all the way back.

I had no problems with the lack of quotation marks. Took nothing away from your skill in writing, and as I've mentioned previously, I admire the rebel streak in you. Go self-pubbers!

I'm glad there were no quotations, besides what's it matter you read the book with no problems, parently!

Glad you mentioned Cormac McCarthy. Your style of writing in SOBB haunted me...and couldn't figure out why. Yes, it was just like listening to Trevor telling me his own story, but there was something familiar too.....Then AHA....years ago, back in the 70's I read 'Child of God'. His writing and that book really did haunt me for a long time. Very dark, explicit, and even horrific, but I couldn't put it down. I hear now it is being made into a movie, showing in film festivals this year. When I read his Border Trilogy series,almost 20 years later, I wasn't even sure it was the same author! But still written with no punctuation marks. LOL....loved that series, especially All The Pretty Horses. Of course, made into the movie with Matt Damon and Penelope Cruz, how could it go wrong!
Keep writing in whatever style you are comfortable with. You have a wonderful way with words and 'painting a picture' that is vivid, honest and real.
As us oldsters used to say "Keep on keeping on"!!!

Cheryll wrote: "Glad you mentioned Cormac McCarthy. Your style of writing in SOBB haunted me...and couldn't figure out why. Yes, it was just like listening to Trevor telling me his own story, but there was somethi..."

Thanks, Cheryll. I'm glad you enjoy McCarthy, and it's humbling to have my novel even be mentioned in the same sentence as having had a similar effect on you.

I'll admit, I found it a little jarring at first. But by page 5 I was over it and so immersed in the story that it just didnt' matter.

Writing is so very subjective and no matter what choices are made, it's impossible to please everyone. That is the nature of the beast--we may have free reign to do whatever we like with our characters, their lives, and the manner in which we tell their stories--but with that freedom comes the knowledge that along the way, we're sure to piss off a few people.

The lack of quotation marks was a clear stylistic choice made by Ryan. Who are we to judge? Besides, if only 10% of your fan base is that upset about your lack of quotation marks, then you're doing pretty damn good =)

I had no problem reading SoBB at all. I honestly didn't even notice the lack of quotation marks.

I have to say that it's been a few weeks since I've read this book and am still too much of a fangirl to comment rationally. :-D

Admat97 wrote: "I had no problem reading SoBB at all. I honestly didn't even notice the lack of quotation marks.

I have to say that it's been a few weeks since I've read this book and am still too much of a fangi..."

Hi there Admat97. (Sounds like I'm addressing a computer.) Thanks for the comment. And thanks for the great review, too!

Ryan wrote: "Admat97 wrote: "I had no problem reading SoBB at all. I honestly didn't even notice the lack of quotation marks.

I have to say that it's been a few weeks since I've read this book and am still too..."

Haha...that is my computer name. I just changed it to my real name. :)

This was the first book I have read without quotation marks. Thank you Ryan. I thought it was illegal. Now I just think it's a great time saver!

Annmarie wrote: "This was the first book I have read without quotation marks. Thank you Ryan. I thought it was illegal. Now I just think it's a great time saver!"

I get some grammar police trying to cite me still, Annmarie, but I rather enjoy being a rebel. I did use quote marks in the novel I just finished but am so far leaving them out of another piece I'm working on. Just another color for the palette I suppose. Thanks for the comment.

When I first started reading this book, I thought, how strange, no quotation marks, but I have to say I really liked not seeing them. I had no problem reading without them.

Alla wrote: "When I first started reading this book, I thought, how strange, no quotation marks, but I have to say I really liked not seeing them. I had no problem reading without them."

Glad to read that, Alla. Thank you!

Thank you for not using quotation marks. I felt that the book flowed better without them. There was no pause (in my mind) while reading the book which made it easier. I got so involved in the book, that the pauses would have distracted me. So looking forward to your next book, even if there are quotations.

Marianne wrote: "Thank you for not using quotation marks. I felt that the book flowed better without them. There was no pause (in my mind) while reading the book which made it easier. I got so involved in the boo..."

Thank you, Marianne. You have a very alert reader brain and that's what I was writing for. I'll keep you posted on the net release, likely sometime this fall.