tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post6625061146806474184..comments2023-10-30T08:00:54.059-04:00Comments on Laurel's Leaves: Three tips for streamlining dialogueLaurel Garverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-16237398602162475902013-01-15T10:16:29.012-05:002013-01-15T10:16:29.012-05:00I think it's okay for a character to have a bu...I think it's okay for a character to have a buzzword and/or a running gag. Barbara Kingsolver did it quite effectively in The Poisonwood Bible. You could distinguish the cheerleader sister from the bookish one easily. But she didn't put the buzzword on every page, true. Lay in those tics lightly.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-86028325047817468182013-01-15T10:13:27.379-05:002013-01-15T10:13:27.379-05:00Show and tell is a delicate balance. Notice that I...Show and tell is a delicate balance. Notice that I don't tell the reader "I don't want to talk about the whole embarrassing incident from chapter 6, so maybe I'll evade going there by babbling about something else." I merely describe the action, but leave it to the reader to infer the intention. It's a *partial* telling, not laying all my cards on the table.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-54320944561975341762013-01-15T10:08:51.482-05:002013-01-15T10:08:51.482-05:00Context is everything. In business writing, it loo...Context is everything. In business writing, it looks indecisive to use softening phrases. In fiction, it communicates something about the person, which might better build the characterization than blatantly telling the reader "Bob is wishy-washy". My point here was to make Bob's wishy-washiness clear but not overdone to the point your reader wants to shoot him (or you, the author). :-)Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-4975467738819837922013-01-15T10:05:37.314-05:002013-01-15T10:05:37.314-05:00Softening with body language is better than throwi...Softening with body language is better than throwing in one softening phrase on top of another. But any technique done too often can lose its punch. Variety is good.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-49988511149869528772013-01-14T11:47:29.450-05:002013-01-14T11:47:29.450-05:00Great tips. I think it's also important to be ...Great tips. I think it's also important to be aware of the tics when you have characters who have accents. It's really easy to over do that and annoy readers too.Southpawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539290964546504171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-17111528230605794552013-01-14T08:54:59.961-05:002013-01-14T08:54:59.961-05:00Ah, yes, tell vs. show. I just had a lesson in thi...Ah, yes, tell vs. show. I just had a lesson in this from my marvelous crit partner. I use dialogue effectively (So she says) but every once in awhile, she says I get long winded and redundant. it's a curse for me in real life, so no wonder I use it in my writing.Anne Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816355522284492131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-56341345323554962352013-01-14T08:25:58.941-05:002013-01-14T08:25:58.941-05:00I see where you're going with the softening id...I see where you're going with the softening ideas. A writing instructor once told me to stay away from indecisive words such as seem. "Either he/she did it or not." But I think you present a strong case for using this tactic in creative certain types of characters. S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-36729548715310466072013-01-14T07:51:01.887-05:002013-01-14T07:51:01.887-05:00I love your new series, Laurel. I know I'm gui...I love your new series, Laurel. I know I'm guilty of the softening with body language, thought often I do that on purpose.<br /><br />I'll keep this post in mind when I edit my new WIP. :)Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.com