tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33599441.post507863314655874760..comments2024-03-28T01:11:53.559-07:00Comments on Electric Spec Editor Blog: Make or Break Dialoguelesleylsmithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14872977902924014581noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33599441.post-85950824201310214422010-10-15T06:52:09.659-07:002010-10-15T06:52:09.659-07:00You would think that this advice is common sense, ...You would think that this advice is common sense, but dialog IMO is the place where most writing seems to flail about ineffectively. (I'm talking about things I've critiqued, not published works, although some of that does still occur.)<br /><br />What I think the problem is with new writers is the sense (a false one) that dialog needs to BE realistic rather than IMPLY reality. Those extra bits of verbiage that add nothing keep appearing in writing of new(er) writers until they get the sense that the dialog is in essence a means of communicating to readers what they should be paying attention to BECAUSE THE CHARACTERS ARE DOING SO.<br /><br />Anyhow, that's my take on it. :)writtenwyrddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02280711822302493122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33599441.post-84859215867582501282010-10-08T08:55:06.045-07:002010-10-08T08:55:06.045-07:00Very good points, Editor Dave!
Thanks.Very good points, Editor Dave!<br />Thanks.lesleylsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14872977902924014581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33599441.post-84683802187680240692010-10-08T07:26:07.659-07:002010-10-08T07:26:07.659-07:00I would add that dialogue is one of the best place...I would add that dialogue is one of the best places to show characters' agendas. The more their agendas conflict, the more interesting it will be. Fill each exchange with tension. Sometimes this comes across as each character almost having their own conversation! That's okay. Questions can be asked but not quite answered, or answered with other questions, characters can cut each other off and get angry. Each line is an opportunity to forward the story and show conflict and tension, so make them work for you!ssashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15527483283426518167noreply@blogger.com