Dialogue Query

I am currently writing a monologue and want to know how to format a certain bit of dialogue.

If a character was re-telling a story and was quoting from others, for example:

Then he turned to me and said what do you think you're doing?

Would you leave it as it is or would you put quotation before and after the quote. For example:

Then he turned to me and said "what do you think you're doing?"

I have read various scripts books and some put quotations marks on some don't. What do you think I should do.

Go with the first James, it's not a book.

I'd go with the second, for clarity of those reading.

Dan (not a novelist)

My head says Marc P; my heart says Swertyd.

Quote: SlagA @ January 4 2010, 3:19 PM GMT

My head says Marc P; my heart says Swertyd.

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I just checked one of mine. I didn't use inverted commas.

Quote: Marc P @ January 4 2010, 2:49 PM GMT

Go with the first James, it's not a book.

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Thanks. That's what I have done but just wanted to check.

Boo! It's a victory for common nonsense, I tell you!

Dan

Quote: swerytd @ January 4 2010, 2:57 PM GMT

I'd go with the second, for clarity of those reading.

Dan (not a novelist)

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All of the Victoria Wood script books I have got and I have got six of them have quotations.

I would use the quote marks myself.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ January 4 2010, 3:58 PM GMT

I would use the quote marks myself.

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I don't know who's advice I should take.

If you use the commas it is giving the actor an excuse to speak in a different voice, which might be okay in a 'comedy sketch' monologue from Victoria Wood but isn't the norm in say a monologue from ALan Bennett where the character stays in character.

Quote: Marc P @ January 4 2010, 4:03 PM GMT

If you use the commas it is giving the actor an excuse to speak in a different voice, which might be okay in a 'comedy sketch' monologue from Victoria Wood but isn't the norm in say a monologue from Alan Bennett where the character stays in character.

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My character does stay in character so I should leave it as it is then. Ok thanks Marc

No worries... I like to ponitificate on matters like this. Who is the monologue for?

Quote: Marc P @ January 4 2010, 4:06 PM GMT

No worries... I like to ponitificate on matters like this. Who is the monologue for?

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What do you mean? Production company or actor or something else

No. I meant is it for you to perform or to give to someone else to perform. What are you going to do with it when it is written?