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My writing blog |
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I don't have a muse, and never have. I'm afraid that if I did have one, she would be a small Chinese woman standing in the doorway, looking significantly at her watch every minute or so while I dug around in the sofa searching for enough loose change to pay for the chicken-fried rice. On the whole, I think I do better without her. |
| Dialogue tip: When writing dialogue, remember that the primary goal, as with all writing, is to communicate with the reader. If the dialogue is incomprehensible, that goal is not met. But alternatively, if your dialogue could be said by anybody and sound exactly the same, you are also missing the opportunity to communicate. Thus, a strong secondary purpose of any dialogue is to explore the character's background, motivations, emotions and personality. As an example, I have an Irish friend who veers close to both insanity and incomprehensibility, but in a delightfully Irish way. Another friend commented on Facebook about how well a recent trip they'd both shared had gone. He replied, "Aye well no-one got eaten by a dragon, fell off a cliff or suddenly took up holy orders ... we are improving." The only Irish-sounding words in that particular sentence are "Aye", and perhaps that way of referring to "holy orders", but it is a line that fairly shouts out his sense of humor and his outlook on the world. (And unlike almost every other line out of his mouth, it contains no obscure curse words.) Does it communicate a lot of information? Not exactly. But if he were a character (well, he is, but in a novel), and he used "Aye" at the beginning of a smattering of his sentences, his voice would come through. Part dialect, part mannerism, it plants that character firmly in the reader's mind. That should be one of your major goals with dialogue. If dialogue is just exposition shoved into the mouth of a convenient character, you do your reader a discourtesy, and lose yourself an opportunity. |
| Dialogue tip: When writing dialogue, remember what is not said is often as important as what is said. Like negative space in art, what is left unsaid may provide a context or frame around your dialogue. Not mentioning the elephant in the room makes it clear your character knows about the elephant and is choosing not to mention it, which also reveals something about his/her character and reaction. Saying, "Why is there an elephant in our living room?" requires an explanation, and tells the reader nothing they didn't already know. Saying, "Oh, I see. I've been meaning to visit my parents." in response to the elephant says the character already knew about the elephant, or is at least not surprised, and suggests it means the elephant has been chosen over the person speaking. On the other hand, saying "There's an odd smell in here. I need to make dinner." says the character is refusing to acknowledge the elephant and hopes his/her partner will make it go away so that it needn't be discussed. This was first posted to the Newsfeed, but I realized I should post it here instead, as I plan to do more. |
Releasing software Baby bird out of the nest Will it drop... or soar? |
No U.S. soldiers Tunneling under Walmart Ready to round up |
| There once was a star ship commander Whose crew knew the flight would demand her Absolute attention So they didn't mention Her unbuttoned blouse - take a gander. |
Office walls close in Deadlines loom with gnashing teeth Thank God It's Friday |
Monday morning starts. As rivers of coffee flow, Monday moaning slows. |
Do kids in China Think we all walk upside down Or fall off the Earth? |
| Little Miss Evil (middle grade fiction) It's hard enough having parents who are normal-crazy, but when you live in a volcano, ride a helicopter to school and your dad is an evil super-villain with a super-weapon, things can get seriously out of control. Full review on My Comfy Chair blog  |
| I have started reviewing more actively on the My Comfy Chair blog, and I read a really fun picture book for first/second graders. Lots of fun. I recommend it. My Grandma's a Ninja (review) |
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