Using "." or [ ] in dialogues?

[RepresentingCaution]

change to use " "
any novel that uses silly methods of dialogue is an instant dropped for me.

Yep! That's also what you need to do if you ever want to get published. An editor will take one look at that, get a headache, and tell her manager to send you a standard rejection email.

 

[tiaf]

Not using quotation marks is the same as not caring for grammar
Each language has its own rules on how to use marks and brackets, especially for dialogues. Writing in English but not using quotation marks is kinda...it definitely gives the impression of an amateur and weeb... Nothing wrong with the latter, but even translators change the asian quotation marks into English quotation marks, so I would expect an English original to follow basic grammar rules.
(Or are quotation marks not a set grammar rule? )

「」 Single Quotation Marks
『』 Double Quotation Marks

They look very pretty in a text with Japanese characters Although I can't understand a word of it, I still find it visually pleasing!
But using it for English text...
「Hello. This is a sample message.」
『Test, test. Tto.』
Looks like a system message. Very fancy. But a pain to type tbh.

Petty rant: Having a qwertz keyboard makes it a pain to type square brackets. Therefore I'd have never considered writing with square brackets in the first place... (Yes, I'm a lazy writer!)

 

[Deleted member 45782]

Personally, I prefer using quotation marks " " for proper dialogue since I want to improve my grammar and writing style. Of course, different cultures may write it differently (even how british vs american use quotation marks), but since I'm following more under the american writing style, I'm gonna be using "". ( ) to me are not really for dialogue but to emphasize certain things, etc.

Other than that, the only time I might consider something different would be using :, because it feels easier to read dialogue. It makes one feel like one is reading a script. However, I feel it would be kinda awkward on how to try to incorporate scenes mixed in with dialogue (do put what they do before or after the dialogue) and not sure if it'll even flow smooth.

Mark: And this is how I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die by idiocy.
Sam: Not today on my watch. (Pulls out a box with a bright big red button on it).
Mark: (Looks at him, dread creeping up his neck) What the hell is that?
Sam: Instant re-do button! (proudly smiles). Only one in the universe, just hit a button and re-do and all good.
Mark: Wait no! What if you reset the whole the universe, including our world from scratch? Don't you even think about it, you moron-
Sam: (Slams hand down on the button).
Whoosh.

I'll probably stick to using "" for now, unless I'm too lazy or I'm trying to write something like characters doing an im/messaging type of thing.

 

[Shoemilk]

Someone has mentioned this, but you are writing in English and you should follow the rules for English grammar. It doesn't matter what the original Japanese uses because you aren't writing that. Using a German „ at the beginning of the quotation would also be incorrect unless you are writing German (and whatever other languages use that). If I decided to replace all my periods with 。it would be weird as well even though that's a lot closer to a standard English period. ¿Would it be okay to use Spanish punctuation in English writing? No, because it's English. It would still be understood, but wrong.

The point of grammar rules is so that speakers of the language have a base to understand and comprehend what others are trying to say. There are plenty of times where you can purposefully break those rules for effect, but this isn't one of those times. You aren't trying to convey something different. Double quotes in American English denote conversation (It's a single quote in British English). Brackets denote the removal of text by an editor.

If you are serious about your writing then I strongly suggest you follow the set rules. If you are just writing for fun and don't care what others think
then use baby elephants to denote conversation or whatever you want.

?Hey! Do you remember who wrote that story??she asked.
?Elephants never forget!?said Zou-san.

 

[BenJepheneT]

I've seen authors who use [ ] or anything but "." in dialogue. They're all in house arrest with ankle tracking bracelets.