A couple of weeks and a couple of hundred queries since my last post, I’ve noticed several patterns among the novels submitted to me. Again, most writers do have talent, to varying degrees. But problems with technique kill any chance of escaping the slush pile.
So, I’m going to write a series of posts which I hope will help writers to improve their technique, and thus improve their chances of getting agents and editors to take notice. Today’s post, as the title tells you, is about dialogue, and why it’s different from conversation. I could probably write a couple of chapters about dialogue, but let’s start with the simple stuff.
Dialogue is action. Conversation is just talking. Dialogue has tension and moves the story forward. Conversation just sits there and bores your reader.
Whether it’s two people politely pulling in two different directions, or it’s a seduction, or it’s a confrontation, dialogue is different.
Here’s an excerpt of the explanation and examples I used in a workshop I gave at a local college (I had the students volunteer to read A and B):
In every work of narrative, whether fiction or non-fiction, when we write, we skip over the parts of an event that don’t have any direct link to the story we’re telling. So, unless getting out of bed and brushing your teeth either illustrates something about the character, or relates directly to the story, you won’t see many stories that include teeth-brushing, even though every character in most contemporary stories can be assumed to have brushed his teeth that day.
Similarly, we don’t repeat every word a character might have said. That’s conversation. But it’s not good writing. And it neither advances the story, nor illustrates anything about the character.
When a character speaks, action is taking place, not conversation.
There is a purpose, or usually two purposes. Each character wants something and the dialogue is how each is trying to advance his or her purpose.
CONVERSATION:
A: How are you?
B: I’m fine, and you?
A: Fine. That’s a great looking shirt you’re wearing. Is it new?
B: No, I’ve had it for a while. I like your outfit too.
A: Thanks. It’s nice of you to say so.
If you haven’t fallen asleep yet, contrast the conversation above, with DIALOGUE:
A: How are you?
B: Now, you’re asking?
A: Oh, tell me you’re not going to start that again. You know I care about you.
B: You think you can just waltz in here like nothing happened. I’m not an idiot, you know.
A: You keep rehashing the past. I want to start over. Call me crazy, but I think you do too.
See the difference? See why dialogue is action and conversation is not?
Also, notice that you don’t need to have anything explained about the characters or the situation to follow the action.
That brings me to another common flaw, of giving your reader long-winded explanations of what’s going on instead of hooking your reader with action.
But that’s for another blog post.
- Anita Bartholomew
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