: Re: How to format dialogue with an embedded long monologue I use the following formats for dialogues: dialogue dialogue - describing action (if any) dialogue - describing action (if any) - more

@Kevin153

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One addition to Lauren's list: If the history is interesting enough on its own, make the telling of the history a scene. End one scene with the storyteller launching into the story. Then put a scene break. Then put the story as told by the storyteller.

This works better if you've already established a pattern of switching viewpoints from one scene to the next, but you can sometimes get away with it in (otherwise) single viewpoint stories if the transitions into and out of the story are clear enough.

Alas, I can't think of an example that you might know, though I'm sure there are numerous ones. Here is a (somewhat clunky) example from one of my works in progress:

Page leaned forward, placed his forearms on his knees, and began to tell the story.

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In 1961 I was sent to Vietnam as what they called a "military advisor."

I think the switch from third to first person helps mark the transition.

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