Use quotation marks for direct thoughts if you want them to read like spoken words
Use italics for a character’s internal thoughts
Use free indirect style to blend thoughts into the narration
Keep thoughts in the character’s voice
Make thoughts short and natural
Show emotion through word choice and sentence fragments
Use present tense for immediate thoughts
Avoid overusing thought tags like she thought or he wondered
Use thought tags only when clarity is needed
Separate thoughts from dialogue clearly
Match the thought style to the story’s tone
Use sensory details to ground the thought in the moment
Reveal thoughts that matter to the scene or character development
Keep internal monologue consistent with the point of view
Use punctuation to reflect the rhythm of thinking
Let thoughts interrupt action when appropriate
Avoid long blocks of internal reflection unless the pace allows it
Show conflict, doubt, or desire through thoughts
Make thoughts specific rather than generic
Use thoughts to deepen character motivation
Keep thoughts natural and believable