Those lovely dudes at Guys Can Read have invited me back to recommend one of my favourite books. I chose Tony and Susan by Austin Wright. This novel manages to pull off a trick I have seen done badly so many times – the story within the story. Why is it often done badly and how does this author do it well? Head on over to Luke and Kevin’s to find out – and also hear some other recommendations of thumping good reads.
As usual, I have way more to say on the subject, so on Sunday I’ll be discussing stories within stories, and fantasies within story worlds.
I’m taking questions about it now, so if you have anything you want to ask, leave a comment here!
Nail Your Novel 
Question: are you Austin Wright?
Wrong!
Story within a story — sounds like a great topic, Roz. (loved the comment above, btw!) Hope you’re doing well now that spring is right around the corner! Better weather for horseback riding, I’m sure. Noah is certainly in good spirits now that the snow is finally melting! Have a good week. — Daisy
Hi Daisy – yes what a relief that spring is here. My horse is really appreciating it. Have a great week yourself out on the prairies!
I will pop along and take a look.
I have a question: During the 60/70’s part of my education in the UK, I was taught to add speech quotation marks “like this”. However, I have noticed more and more people are writing ‘like this’. For me the single was taught as an inner dialogue quotation mark, or a quotation mark.
Do you think it would be wise for me to change my manuscript to singles?
Hi Glynis
Yes, I was taught that same rule – speech should be double quotes, and single quotes are used for titles or quotes within quotes.
In publishing, double quotes are frowned on as visually fussy and so the convention is the other way around, but they are of course used for quotes in quotes. It might help make your manuscript look more modern if you used single quotes but I don’t think it’s a deal breaker.
Thank you for that, Roz. As you say, if I change them, it will bring it up to date.
I do thank goodness for word in cases such as this! LOL