How do you write a characters dialogue if he or she pauses a lot between

[Takisnotamused]

sentences and sometimes words? Would you need to have the '. . .' every time she or he pauses? Could you just mention that the character stops and thinks before continuing on? Thanks!!

 

[JasonLuna]

I would put "[pause]" where he/she needs to pause. In scripts at school, that's what was done for us.

 

[xyznoname]

use both, or it'd bore readers to see...the...ellipse...every...time...a...person...speaks
'so yeah,' i paused 'use both'
lol

 

[Sarah]

sometimes do '. . .' but don't repeat it a lot.
if you do it more than three times - stop - and do she or he paused, and then: whatever the character was going to say.
:') x

 

[Janella]

... works. try - or even ..." she fidgeted around and continued. "
carefully injecting thoughtfullness may work but will have to be done well. don't just say it, have her prove it, a couple of times in seemingly small, insignificant ways before going on to bigger things.

 

[DannyL]

Yeah,that'll be correct.
You could just add dots on the end of his speech and then mention that he starts thinking,or suddenly had a flashback and is lost somewhere else xD

 

[KateAlyce]

I would recommend doing both just for some variety. I usually the "..." for shorter pauses and a "she went quiet for a moment as she gathered her thoughts" type phrase for longer pauses.