Writers, how much do you think about your dialogue before you write it?

Question

1. How much do you think about your dialogue before you write it?
2. Is it easier (or harder) for you to write dialogue than regular narration/exposition?
3. When *reading*, which part of a book do you like more -- dialogue or narration?

Answer 1

1. A lot, for supporting characters their personality has to come out in the things they say, and I make a real effort to choose the things that they would say. On my computer I keep my notes in folders and I have a folder for each character where I write down things about their past, things that concern them, and the things they say. They all have traits that affect their dialogue, elegant, uncouth, tactless, hysterical, so anytime I hear or think of something that they would say I write it down. After you get the hang of the sorts of things they are supposed to say it gets pretty easy to come up with them on the spot.



2. Easier. I have a folder of narrations too, where I just have clusters of descriptive sentences, but I can make dialogue flow easier than I can connect these narrations.



3. The most fun I have reading is reading the main characters thoughts. I specifically choose my books based on the style of narrative, and I like active and self aware characters the best. The characters thoughts can positively charm me, more than narration or dialogue anyway. I see their thoughts as an aside to the passive direction of plot, like thinking things through, or describing everything, for the readers benefit. I don't know if I'm really selling the narrative choice to you, but if you want to see for yourself, look at a self aware narrative like in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews and see what a difference it makes when compared to a passive, pompous, negative narrative like in Twilight and you'll see what I mean. I love Kate, she never fails to charm me ;D

Answer 2

1. Usually I just have a vague idea where I want a scene to go. I just jump in and start writing. Usually I have a pretty good feel for how the characters will respond and the things that they would say. In tricky sections I will do a detailed outline first, if there are too many details to keep track of.



2. Dialogue is easier, and I notice during the editing that my dialogue tends to come off as more natural and interesting than the narration/exposition. It's almost like the characters take on a life of their own and speak for themselves.



3. I like both.

Answer 3

1) It depends on how well I know my characters. I try to let them be their own people and write what the do/say but that's hard. I feel like sometimes my dialogue is too perfect and fluff-filled.



2) It depends. If I care about what I'm writing I can easily get both done. If I don't my dialogue becomes very dreamy. Like, everything is always 100% alright.



3) I like a mixture. Some narration is mind-numbing. Like, when Patrick Bateman (American Psycho) goes on and on about some designer article of clothing and you're praying for dialogue on the next page.

Answer 4

1. i don't think... i flow... everything comes to mind...

2. both narration and dialogue come willingly and they flow, like i said above, but sometimes i find that i write dialogue, and then i get a new idea and change the dialogue up a bit, so... i don't really know but i think dialogue can be a tiny bit more difficult.

3. i like both- and both are essential to the story, since without narration you don't know what's going on that the dialogue can't naturally cover, and without dialogue the characters are useless.

Answer 5

I prefer narration.



There are more ways of putting across your characters speech than "dialogue." Descriptive speech narration, for instance stating your characters greet rather than spending three to four lines in dialogue expressing that.



Dialogue in books and novels should be treated as quotes, as though you are quoting your characters. It expresses there personality and their manner, as well as their relationship to present characters.



Also don't underestimated the word 'said.' Too many writers think this word is overused, instead jamming in over descriptive words that distract and complicate diction (ie "For sure," Diana reverberated.).

Answer 6

1.) I don't really think about it, just write what makes sense then go back and edit. That makes it seem more genuine, for me anyway.

2.) It's definitely harder to write dialogue.

3.) It's impossible to like one more than the other, because they both have to work in sync for me to like the writing at all.

Answer 7

the 1st draft is meant to be crap. Writing aspects 2d opportunities, a sparkling life and desires that is fulfilled in an on the spot, in assessment to real life. this is why you have the 2d and third and fourth draft to get it properly suited. I have not have been given any theory regardless of if this is been written around right here in the previous or no longer, even nevertheless it kind of looks like a good tip? i finished at 4 because of the fact i could be right here all day typing out how many drafts some authors had ;) and of path there are exceptions to each rule =)

Answer 8

To write good dialogue you must first write a character profile of your characters. That is the only sure way to keep track of the questions and answers they will generate.

Answer 9

I agonise over dialogue...and I find that I am really best at it when writing in the idiomatic style...if I try to write a formal conversation it always sounds faked and forced (to my ears at least)