Parlei

[mistermanager]

This is a question for the trio. How do you guys go about writing your dialogue? I'm having to do a lot of it right now, and I get stuck a lot. I have some techniques I use, but I want to know what you guys do. So tell me.

[Harry Locke IV]

Mar 23, 2009 16:52:06 GMT -5 mistermanager said:

This is a question for the trio. How do you guys go about writing your dialogue? I'm having to do a lot of it right now, and I get stuck a lot. I have some techniques I use, but I want to know what you guys do. So tell me.

Hmm...I don't know if I in particular have any tricks when it comes to writing, although the other guys might. Usually, everything lies in the outlining and treatment of the script for me. If I make an overly detailed concept of the story from start to end, then I know which way the dialogue needs to flow the story from part A to B to so forth and etc. If I just go frantically trying to write something, I'm bound to run into walls. So that may help...

The only time I'll slow down is for real powerhouse scenes, where there needs to be some sort of cool line, or emotional punch. Not because I can't think of the words, but because they need to be aligned perfectly, and executed just right. If all else fails, go watch some obscure foreign action movies and flip around their lines...nobody will know...or care!

[thetruth]

OK sorry for the long delay in a response. I remember this year in my creative writing class my teacher asked us we were good at writing dialogue. I said yes and no. I really didn't know. I said it really depends on what the dialogue is for in the story. Other words why is this dialogue in the story? Is it to pass time in the story, add personality to a character, reveal information ect. I don't know much about writing dialogue but I will share my thoughts with you.

As you probably have noticed my thoughts can become scattered so I apologize for that. Anyways, the question I asked in class, what is the dialogue used for? I think this is the most important aspect in dialogue writing. It is key to know and understand why you are writing the dialogue. If you just start writing because you need dialogue you will quickly find that your conversations will begin to meander around without a clear path. The conversations will become bloated with unneeded words and you will have a poor word economy. This is a good way to kill a story. So before you start writing, decide who is having this talk, why they are having this talk, and what do you wish to accomplished in this talk. Know if this conversation is to be spent getting to know Charlie the Pill popper better or learning that James is meeting Steve at 7 by the ballpark. If you have an idea of where you are going things will begin to fall into place much easier.

Remember who is talking. A good way to discredit your story is to have a character talk as if they are different people. When you are done, go over the lines for each character and see if you believe that that is something the character would in fact say. Reactions, delivery, and overall word choice can really help define a character and help build a creditable world.

I'm sure you have heard the phrase"Show don't tell". This is very true because subtlety is a great thing. No one needs to be bashed over the head with facts and back story but just remember leaving the viewers in the dark is not good either. You have to find that happy medium. I personally would like to have the audience work a little more, you know to make sure they are paying attention. Also, remember that you can allow information and characters to develop over time. Trying to get everything out to early or at the same time will flood the dialogue with too much and can really bogged down the story.

Now for a few things I use. Try talking to yourself, I do this all the time and is where most of my dialogue comes from. Think up of ideas you want to get across and then streamline them over time. Keep a notebook full lines and ideas. Listen in to other people's conversations(Every single creative writing teacher I have had has told me this). Look at dialogue you like and understand why you like it and why it is effective. Try to imitate the style and bring something new to it.

So, know why and what you want to accomplish with your dialogue, remember who is talking, and don't be so blunt or so dim with what is being said. Make sure everything flows and is believable. All of this subject to change when you consider what character is doing the talking. Sometimes your characters will be more blunt, unbelievable, or whatever. These are just some ideas I use to keep everything in order. If you have any questions feel free to ask. I apologize if you know all of this or just found this pointless. Like I said I don't know much and what little I know is scattered in my mind. Anyways, take care and happy writing.

[thetruth]

I also forgot two big things.

One, even though personal or inside jokes are hilarious, watch out. It is okay to put in a few but remember that this has a big chance of alienating a huge part of your crowd if you are showing this to many people. It could leave the scene off balanced and in an awkward feel. Remember that.

Two, and this is important in everything you write. Go over, rewrite, and revise what you have written. I can not stress this enough. This is one of the key differences between a writer and someone who writes. I'm not saying you have to proofread everything to make all the grammar correct , if everything was correct it might sound weird, but rarely is the very first idea the best idea. Go over everything multiple times and make sure you feel strong and confident about it. If you don't feel that is the way you want it, don't settle. Keep working at it and eventually it will click.

[thetruth]

Did that help any?

[Harry Locke IV]

Apr 21, 2009 0:16:44 GMT -5 thetruth said:

Did that help any?

[thetruth]

Salty