tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615675676021392217.post8104507737707428825..comments2024-03-28T02:12:56.114-04:00Comments on Authoress: Critique Observations: When Dialogue RamblesAuthoresshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09223228949688667517noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615675676021392217.post-35009014450091138572014-02-10T14:40:07.236-05:002014-02-10T14:40:07.236-05:00Great advice. Thanks so much for sharing your exam...Great advice. Thanks so much for sharing your examples.Ruth Schiffmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02625363295823548969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615675676021392217.post-80640644193877761812014-02-06T15:31:14.954-05:002014-02-06T15:31:14.954-05:00Very helpful post. Thanks, Authoress.Very helpful post. Thanks, Authoress.Vaughan Dicksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03845105240574840753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615675676021392217.post-35936525566556461922014-02-05T15:07:09.274-05:002014-02-05T15:07:09.274-05:00Ages ago I wrote dialogue without contractions. I ...Ages ago I wrote dialogue without contractions. I thought it was clearer and more proper somehow. Ha!<br />All good points^. The funny thing is that each of the bad dialogue examples can be found in lauded published books. But we won't go there.Mirka Breenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653086859905415156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615675676021392217.post-7004238311787568562014-02-04T19:49:18.061-05:002014-02-04T19:49:18.061-05:00LOL!!LOL!!Authoresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09223228949688667517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615675676021392217.post-29727515901164713492014-02-04T19:41:54.677-05:002014-02-04T19:41:54.677-05:00"'Mother wasn't always this way,'..."'Mother wasn't always this way,' Eva said. 'Years ago, when I was small, she smiled all the time.' (FRAAAAPPP!) 'Laughed a lot.'"<br /><br />You're right, that does work better!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615675676021392217.post-34198252499981803262014-02-04T15:42:24.355-05:002014-02-04T15:42:24.355-05:00Thank you! These are great tips.
I've noticed ...Thank you! These are great tips.<br />I've noticed that reading my dialogue aloud helps me tell when it isn't right. I'm guilty of making it too formal or adding in unnecessary information. I will be keeping these examples in mind as I'm revising.<br />Jennihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13139361928785566916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615675676021392217.post-82987120996880161122014-02-04T15:30:17.645-05:002014-02-04T15:30:17.645-05:00Thanks for the great examples. I can't claim t...Thanks for the great examples. I can't claim to be good at writing dialogue, but it sure bothers me when I come across dialogue in a book that simply isn't natural. It's distracting and makes the story less believable. <br /><br />We can all learn valuable lessons from you--please keep them coming!hdiangelishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04286444012314375368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615675676021392217.post-46873711535393619842014-02-04T14:22:28.588-05:002014-02-04T14:22:28.588-05:00Well said.
I read somewhere that dialogue is war....Well said.<br /><br />I read somewhere that dialogue is war. To me this means there are two or more people talking who hold opposing views. Those opposing views create conflict and tension. They don't have to be yelling or shouting at each other. <br /><br />If characters are talking together and everyone agrees with what is said, that is called peace. No conflict, no tension, no story.MargotGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615675676021392217.post-57607143456590561362014-02-04T13:50:56.712-05:002014-02-04T13:50:56.712-05:00I think it also helps to just write the dialogue s...I think it also helps to just write the dialogue straight out on the page without placing any quotes or he saids and she saids and Minerva said etc....it helps to make it flow before you stutter step to structure it...that can come later. Also, for those who can, recording it first (as in saying it out loud as a way of composition) is also a good technique. But it certainly does make our characters come alive. No one always recognizes good dialogue (because it seems so natural) but we all sure recognize a clunker :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615675676021392217.post-36051367040980853932014-02-04T13:43:14.694-05:002014-02-04T13:43:14.694-05:00Thank you, Authoress, for yet another succinct wri...Thank you, Authoress, for yet another succinct writing lesson. You point out common mistakes so logically and, ever so generously, give a side-by-side to show me the clear path to redemption.<br />If only these lessons were readily available to every writer honing their craft- so much tormented rewriting and editing could be avoided!<br />Perhaps you should write a book ;)zolosolohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15330948524013339225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615675676021392217.post-37072207606446258182014-02-04T12:52:52.529-05:002014-02-04T12:52:52.529-05:00This is so right on the mark. Another way to get a...This is so right on the mark. Another way to get a grasp on dialogue is to read stage plays. Playwrights have to be masters of the art of dialogue. <br />Buuuuuut... who likes to read plays? They are meant to be watched. <br /><br />Good for you for having Mr. A. Really cool guy! Phillipnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615675676021392217.post-56700588343804617072014-02-04T11:28:21.052-05:002014-02-04T11:28:21.052-05:00That's a good point, Steph -- Mr. A is much mo...That's a good point, Steph -- Mr. A is much more of a movie person than a book person (I know, I know...how did I ever marry him? ;D), so his ear for dialogue is attuned to that. That's probably why he's been so helpful!Authoresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09223228949688667517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3615675676021392217.post-25213664671705562192014-02-04T11:27:02.283-05:002014-02-04T11:27:02.283-05:00Thank you! These are great examples.
Maybe it...Thank you! These are great examples. <br /><br />Maybe it's just an excuse to watch more TV and movies, but I've found watching something in the genre I'm writing can help for a feel of dialogue. When I started a light-hearted YA contemporary I burned through 2 seasons of Mtv's Awkward. For YA writers, I cannot recommend this series enough. It's sharply written, funny, sweet. Several characters have their own distinct voice. Glee is another good example, though I haven't watched it in awhile. Stephscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06328839483008086049noreply@blogger.com