1 Topic by Dirk B. (edited by Dirk B. 2019-07-21 19:02:46)

Topic: Writing numbers in a story? - Writing Craft

I'm wondering what people do when it comes to writing numbers in a story? I typically spell out numbers <= 100, but also write numbers like one thousand as words rather than 1,000. I eventually settled on a rule that if I could write it out in three words or less, then I would do so. As a result, numbers like 500, 10,000, 1,000,000, etc. all get written out. I tend to include 'and' when writing numbers, so 350 would be three hundred and fifty, which is four words, so I wouldn't write it out. One of my reviewers recommended I write 350 as three hundred-fifty in a line of dialogue, hence this post.

Thanks
Dirk

Quote Post 1

2 Reply by Sideman (edited by Sideman 2019-07-21 19:57:22)

Re: Writing numbers in a story? - Writing Craft

Hi Dirk ...

In Creative Writing 101 I was taught pretty much the way you explained your style - other than don't use the "and". The one difference was we were suggested to limit the wording to four rather than three words. But a cruise through the internet earlier today said the styles vary significantly after the value of 100. In such cases, use what your publisher/editor/supervisor suggests as the rules are variable throughout the writing/print industry.

For what that's worth. Hope it helps. Good luck with your novel ...

Alan

Quote Post 2

Re: Writing numbers in a story? - Writing Craft

Thanks, Alan.

Quote Post 3

Re: Writing numbers in a story? - Writing Craft

You're welcome.

Quote Post 4

Re: Writing numbers in a story? - Writing Craft

Dirk B. wrote:

I'm wondering what people do when it comes to writing numbers in a story? I typically spell out numbers <= 100, but also write numbers like one thousand as words rather than 1,000. I eventually settled on a rule that if I could write it out in three words or less, then I would do so. As a result, numbers like 500, 10,000, 1,000,000, etc. all get written out. I tend to include 'and' when writing numbers, so 350 would be three hundred and fifty, which is four words, so I wouldn't write it out. One of my reviewers recommended I write 350 as three hundred-fifty in a line of dialogue, hence this post.

Thanks
Dirk

The Chicago Manual of Style, used by agents and publishers, recommends spelling out whole numbers in dialogue no matter the number of digits. So far, that's worked for me with my publishers.

Quote Post 5

6 Reply by Max Boyce (edited by Max Boyce 2019-07-22 01:22:26)

Re: Writing numbers in a story? - Writing Craft

Writing for scientific types:::  I usually went with Arabic numerals because nerds of a future group together. However, be careful when writing scientific notation since something like the size of an election or the size of the universe written this way may cause a nerd's eyes to spin uncontrollably and may provide a rare orgasmic experience to their lives.

Artistic & Poetic :::  I always go with written.  Too many (000) zeros confuse the artistic mind and the statistically mindless. Also, artistic types will take 0's written on a page and get lost in a a plethora of their own oodles of doodles, etc. ooo0ooooooooooOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooo WOOOoOoW! Ten-billion, is how Shakespeare would have written this number for actors, and also a number referring to the number of people who doth hath no idea about what he is writing about.

Financial ::: Over $10,000,000 and selling something for your profit, always use zeros (0) especially with writings are directed to Realtors (except Donald Trump). They will salivate to your advantage. If selling something to make you a billionaire, use a larger type in bold, in bright red and other undulating colors. If buying/selling to save your ass from bankruptcy use no numbers, but link to a picture of Hawaii wahinis hula-dancing with the numbers hidden in their belly-buttons.

Perhaps twenty-four cups (24 cups) of coffee today may be too much. Just kidding around, Alan. I know about love for a wife when ill, I hope I gave you a chuckle. Still playing? My fingers went South because of a neurological problem. Best to you. Hope to be back with a Sci-Fi comedy very soon.

i was max keanu in the past

Quote Post 6

7 Reply by Dirk B. (edited by Dirk B. 2019-07-22 03:10:39)

Re: Writing numbers in a story? - Writing Craft

I count myself among those who never understood Shakespeare without the Cliff Notes. I'm currently rereading Wuthering Heights, and I'm frequently forced to slow down to be sure I read it correctly. The hardest part is trying to understand the Bible-thumping servant, Joseph, whose speech is rendered in a thick dialect. Emily Bronte died from consumption (TB) at age thirty, only a year after writing the novel. Most of the Bronte siblings died young.

Quote Post 7

Re: Writing numbers in a story? - Writing Craft

Dirk B. wrote:

I'm wondering what people do when it comes to writing numbers in a story? I typically spell out numbers <= 100, but also write numbers like one thousand as words rather than 1,000. I eventually settled on a rule that if I could write it out in three words or less, then I would do so. As a result, numbers like 500, 10,000, 1,000,000, etc. all get written out. I tend to include 'and' when writing numbers, so 350 would be three hundred and fifty, which is four words, so I wouldn't write it out. One of my reviewers recommended I write 350 as three hundred-fifty in a line of dialogue, hence this post.

Thanks
Dirk

In the last 7 years, I've gone increasingly to using Arabic numbers in place of words. I have edited works I considered done to replace words with ciphers.

My reasoning is that it is easier to read, makes a bigger impact, and is less forgettable for readers. All to say, I consider it a courtesy to readers.

I do get critiques from writers telling me the rules you laid out above. I know those rules, but in a world where literature battles for time with other media, I want my work to be easier to consume, understand, and remember. I think using ciphers instead of words does that.

Memphis Trace

Quote Post 8