Tag: character development

Back to Dialogue

The other day I spoke about dialogue and how it either works or doesn’t work for a character or set of characters.

I was thinking on this more again last night (because at least I think about writing when I’m not actually writing- – right?) Dialogue is or can be subjective methinks. Example- in the previous blog I also mentioned that I “almost” was accepted by a publisher, except they didn’t like my dialogue. It didn’t seem real to them. Whereas, to me, it was extremely real. Second point- the urban fantasy/shapeshifter series I read where I did not like the YA dialogue- but the series was like USA best seller. So obviously, I was in the minority for the specific vernacular used by one of the characters.

So my question to you is, how to you balance what your characters have to say, how they say it,(oxford comma intentional and always will be) and when they say it?

I mean there are certain slang, phrases, words that indicate different parts of the US and the world, common terms that are easy to bake in. It’s not that per se, it’s the back and forth with conversations, the language they use when happy, sad, pissed off, confused, etc.

When I read and proof Jay’s books (https://feloniousinsult.com); I’m amazed at the ease in which his characters relate to one another, whether it’s a formal or informal conversation- – he gets it right.

His characters come to life, they live and breathe. They aren’t reading copy from a script that he thought might sound good. In fact, he has one blog where he as the author sits down with a couple of his characters in a coffee shop. The dialogue is amazing!

How do you gauge when it’s a fit, how do you introduce new characters and determine their quirks with language?

cheers!

m

Dialogue

Years ago, before the ebook thing really took off, and self-publishing was “frowned upon” (I know it still is in some circles) I scoured the interwebs looking for avenues to either get an agent, editor, publisher or all of the above.

I practiced my query letter, prepped my few pages, and chapters and started the tedious task of trying to get someone to take a gander at my book. I don’t remember now how many I sent out, but I do remember there were many that were simply never answered, and two rejections. Two people actually took the time to reject me. Sounds funny, but it’s not. Believe it or not, I “almost” had one willing to give me a chance.

She didn’t like my dialogue.

I remember thinking, “OH! wow, I can change that!!!” I went back and in that single chapter, realized that I couldn’t change how the characters spoke, interacted with each other. Their vernacular, tone, sarcasm, whatever it was I had down on paper at that time made those characters who they were. Their authentic self.

Each character develops their own way, and even though I tried- I did attempt to rewrite, but it was clear to me that I would lose “something” if I changed it.

Now that’s all well and good, but it still hasn’t been published and would need a rewrite (not the dialogue) due to some things that were new or not even around in 2008 being out of touch with what really is in the here and now.

In my latest world (Otherworld) some characters have a formality, some casual, some always serious, and some have yet to be determined.

How do you learn what your characters need to say and how do they say it?

m