Thursday, May 10, 2012

Dialogue


I know that sometimes when I'm writing, facing dialogue looks like this to me. In my writing, there's way too much internal monologue and description, and not nearly enough dialogue.

So recently, I've made a goal to have a little dialogue as possible. One of the ways I've been able to accomplish this is by writing from the point of view of someone who really doesn't let people hear her thoughts (including me....grr....) I have to figure out what she's thinking by what she says.

In the most recent scene I wrote, this was really successful! It was a scene between her and her future love interest in the story. Most of the dialogue is light-hearted, but there are still moments where you see what they're really thinking. I learned a lot about how these two communicate and how they interpret what other people say without having to go through paragraphs and paragraphs of someone talking to themself.

Oh, and it's a lot funner to read.

Embrace dialogue--let your characters talk to each other, not just think. Don't overanalyze every line--just let them interact as they normally would. If the dialogue gets cut later, that's fine, but in the first draft it's really helpful to get the voice of your characters as well as how they communicate with others.

Anyway, just for kicks I'm going to leave you with my favorite little snippet from today :)

         Anaya: "Are you a man or not?"
         Matthias: "I'm a man who doesn't attack someone unarmed."
         Anaya: "Well, I'm a woman who can kick your butt with my bare hands."

Happy writing!


♥tg

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

PEP TALKS WORK!

Remember my post yesterday? Giving you and myself a pep talk?

IT WORKED!

Not only did I get through the scene that I was having a hard time writing, but I discovered new things about my characters that are going to enrich the plot as I move along. This morning, I wrote almost an entire chapter before my eleven o'clock class.

That, my friends, is called progress.

And suddenly I remember why I'm doing this in the first place :)

Never give up! Never surrender!

♥tg

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

When Play Becomes Work

In both my major of Theatre Education and my not-so-secret life as an aspiring writer, my work is play. The reason I'm pursuing these two careers is because I get to play all day!

That's not to say that it's not a lot of work. Countless hours go into rehearsal for a play, and even more hours go into the preparation--choosing the concept, refining the design elements, etc. But for me, the term play is literally that--play!

The same goes for writing. I can't tell you how many hours of my life have been devoted to a series that is not represented and not ready to be self-published (if I decide to go that route). I don't think it will be published for at least another three years. During those three years, I will still be working on this series, never stopping. But why? Because it's play for me!

But here's the thing: sometimes, it doesn't feel so much like play anymore. When you get writer's block, or when you consistently get rejected by agents, it's easy for the play to become work.

It should be the other way around. Your work should be play! Remember why you started this in the first place! Don't deprive the world of your wonderful characters, your captivating story, and your unique writing voice! No one else can write the story that's in your head, and I want to hear it!

(This is a pep talk for me as well as you :D)

Happy writing!

♥tg

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

The Increasing Decrease in the Importance of Birthdays

I've noticed that as you get older, birthdays don't seem to be as important. Sure, people will say happy birthday and you might get a present or two, but it's not like when you were a kid.

Honestly, how is that fair? People expect you to be all adult, be responsible on your birthday. If you're on a diet, you're not allowed to have cake. If you're in school, you're not allowed to relax.

Well, forget that. I'm relaxing. I'm eating cake and ice cream. I'm ordering pizza. I'm not doing any homework.

Because today is my twentieth birthday, and I'm going to celebrate it, even if no one else does!

♥tg

(PS--I promise I'll start posting more now that Winter Semester is done! lol)
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...