Jill Williamson is a chocolate loving, daydreaming, creator of kingdoms. She writes weird books for teens in lots of weird genres like, fantasy (Blood of Kings trilogy), science fiction (Replication), and dystopian (The Safe Lands trilogy). Find Jill on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or on her author website.
Take this example:
“I never said he stole my iPod.”
Depending on which word is italicized, you can offer your reader seven different meanings.
“I never said Mark stole my iPod.” —Implying that someone else said it.
“I never said Mark stole my iPod.” —The speaker did not say Mark stole the iPod.
“I never said Mark stole my iPod.” —Implying that the speaker only insinuated that Mark stole the iPod.
“I never said Mark stole my iPod.” —Implying that someone else stole the iPod.
“I never said Mark stole my iPod.” —Implying that the listener misunderstood, and that Mark, perhaps, only borrowed the iPod.
“I never said Mark stole my iPod.” —Implying that Mark stole someone else’s iPod.
“I never said Mark stole my iPod.” —Implying that Mark stole something else.
Isn’t that wild? Italics have a lot of power!
Try the same exercise with this sentence: “What is she doing here?” Do you see all the variables?
Now look at the places you’ve used italics in your manuscript. Are you sure you have them in the right place? Or am I the only one who has trouble with this?