when writing a book or a short story is it okay to write what the character is saying like this?

Question

"hey dude lets go have some fun." "alright, but let me get ready, i'm all dirty" his friend replied.

or do you really have to write it like this.
"hey dude lets go have some fun"
"alright, but let me get ready, I'm all dirty"
his friend replied.

do you have to skip a line after starting a new sentence, or can do you just move to the next line.

Answer 1

Every time a new character speaks, you put it into a new paragraph. One person per paragraph. It should look like this.
"Hey, dude, lets go have some fun."
"Alright, but let me get ready, I'm all dirty," his friend replied.

Answer 2

"Hey, dude, let's go have some fun."

"Alright, but let me get ready. I'm all dirty," his friend replied.

That's the best way. It's not confusing. =)

Answer 3

I think it's easier to understand using the second method. Although it comes down to the writers preference, imagine writing a long dialogue, or more than two people in a single line. It quickly becomes confusing to the reader.

Remember that confusing your reader is never a good idea. If you frustrate them they are likely to put your story/book down and do something else with their time.

Also, people prefer reading in small bursts (at least I know I do). For example this message would have looked like a chore if it wasn't separated into smaller sections.

Answer 4

The important thing is that the reader understands who is saying what line.

Normally, you do indent dialog. But it can be done both ways.
If you use the indent, the reader knows there has been a change of speaker.

You need to look at what is called a "style book" for English writing. You local library should have some.

Also, look at other stories and copy a format that you like.

Joe

Answer 5

i would say that at the very least if a different person is speaking, there should be a new paragraph. not required, but whatever it takes to make it easily understood. some books use new paragraphs but no quotation marks at all; anyway, it's your book. nothing wrong with using your own style. just make sure you are consistent and folks can understand it.