Secondary Dialogue
When writing a novel how would one best represent background dialogue from a radio or television that is perhaps only half heard by the characters but still important for the reader? Should I have the narrator state clearly that the conversation or broadcast is not being heard by the characters but sprinkle in key phrases and passages important for the reader and should they be written in italics?
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1 answer
I would set it off into its own lines and use italics. Since it will happen multiple times, the reader will assume that it's background and characters may or may not hear what's said (or even notice it).
If you want to be clear who does and doesn't hear certain lines, you'll have to say so.
Luzia looked up with a start. "Russia? We're bombing Russia?"
"Mmmmmuh?" Geraldo put down his pen. "What?"
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