Thoughts and talking out loud

[jfields]

Actually the Chicago Manual of Style (which is the "rule book" for this kind of minor style issue) is terribly wishy washy on thoughts. So it tends to be up to the individual publisher and what they accept as house style. I've seen all of these:

I stared in horror as Brad stumbled backwards and fell over the cement urn into the flowers. I can't believe I did that. What was I thinking?

I stared in horror as Brad stumbled backwards and fell over the cement urn into the flowers. I can't believe I did that. What was I thinking?

I stared in horror as Brad stumbled backwards and fell over the cement urn into the flowers. "I can't believe I did that," I thought. "What was I thinking?"

Personally, I go with the first one -- no italic and no quotes. And I've never had an editor complain. But all three are actually used. I do know using italics is now supposed to be done only sparingly. If you have a lot of inner dialogue, most editors would prefer you not use that one as it's wearing on the eyes.