I’m not a conversationalist. I prefer short and sweet discussions or better yet, listening to others share. So trying to write dialog has been killing me. It comes out short and unnatural. Definitely not a good way for a writer to progress.
I’ve listened a lot to conversations on the street. How people talk quietly with each other. How they get excited. How their voices change and their bodies move. But translating that into words on a page has been more challenging.
So last week as I was struggling with how to push forward with the conversations of my characters, I decided to use actors I’ve connected with in movies. Wow. Great idea!
Though I still am having a hard time coming up with the right words to put in their thoughts and verbalizations, I’m finding it easier to hear how they would talk with each other. Kind of like voices in my head – I hear them talking to each other. Even better, as many actors are type cast, picking an actor/actress for each of my characters has made it easier to write about how they walk, act, even decisions they’d make.
Score one for the voices in my head!
Until next time,
~T.S.
T.S.,
The one thing that has helped me (along with plenty of feedback from my editor, friend, and family) is that the conversations need to be natural for you; to ebb and flow as if you and another were talking. After my novel was published, I noticed some u with my characters as they conversed as well (along with timeline issues, albeit minor ones). Try not to rush or push the flow, these details will be easily picked up by the reader.
Now, I’m unsure if you were looking for feedback or merely placing your thoughts on this blog. If the later, then please forgive my forwardness.
~Morrighan
That is great feedback! Thank you, I’m always interested in how others accomplish this.
~T.S.