Timeline for Dialog, just what's the best way to write it?
Current License: CC BY-SA 2.5
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Mar 4, 2011 at 15:13 | comment | added | Lauren-Clear-Monica-Ipsum | I think you need stage business pauses for a few reasons: (1) to break up a lengthy monologue (2) to be more accurate in reflecting actual speech -- nobody just sits in a chair and monologues without moving; they shift, sigh, scratch, get up and pace, gesture, smile, sniffle, roll their eyes, etc. (3) to give the reader a more accurate picture of the characters' interactions, so they can picture the scene better. But if you're not using that technique deliberately as a matter of style, that is of course your choice and your right. :) | |
Mar 4, 2011 at 13:05 | comment | added | srcspider | +1 for the tip on using "said" :) I'm not really sure about stage business though; I really wish to avoid these sort of narrator or semi-narrator pauses in dialog (if possible), as a matter of personal style. | |
Mar 4, 2011 at 11:32 | comment | added | One Monkey | That's pretty much what I like to see so it's pretty much what I like to do. +1 | |
Mar 4, 2011 at 1:37 | comment | added | Ralph Gallagher | That's the same advice Stephen King gives to aspiring writers. If you need to use a dialog tag, use said. Anything else use sparingly and avoid adverbs. "She said loudly." "He whispered softly." | |
Mar 4, 2011 at 1:19 | history | answered | Lauren-Clear-Monica-Ipsum | CC BY-SA 2.5 |