----------
From: LaShawn M. Taylor[SMTP:shonnie@zeus.anet-chi.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 22, 1997 2:08 AM
To: fanfic@fanfic.com
Subject: Re: [FFML] how to write a dialogue
(By golly, if we're going to talk about writing techniques, let's correct
our spelling first.)
Well Soooorrrrry! I didn't know misspelling bothered you so much. I couldn't backspace on the subject line, so I had to do write "dto." (As for the other misspellings, I just type it up and not look at it.)
This is the one I most disagree with--mainly because this is the way I
write. I try to be very descriptive in my writing, so sometimes I show
what the characters are doing as they speak. Their actions give insight on
who they're are and how they act. Of course, I don't do this with all my
dialogue. I try to use a variety of dialogue types.
Why in the world does every single people think I said, "You never write beats! Beats are bad!" I didn't. I saw some stories that wrote beats in 90-98% of their lines! I'm telling them that is not a good style. Like you said, variety.
Another reason is that some friends who read my stuff can't visualize well.
Some people pick up a book and they automatically fall into the story,
experiencing it as if it's really there--most of these people are more
right-brained and are more the creative types. Others only see words and
an't visualize anything--most of these people are left-brained, and are
more analytical in mind. For instance, I (who am a writer) tend to
immediately get into a book. My cousin Trevor (who's learning to be a
computer engineer) told me he can't see anything in his head when he reads
fiction. So usually, I cater to these people to help them "see" the story
better, while catering to the right-brained folk to help their reading
become even more "real".
I'm majoring in Computer Science, yet I can visualize into a story. Not all stories, but some of them. So, what brain am I? 30%left 60%right 10%north? .001% South east? :)
The last reason is something I've noticed among writers. Fantasy writers
tend to be more descriptive in their works, while other genre writers
(science fiction, horror, etc.) focus more on the dialogue and action than
descriptions. Don't ask me why. Read Robert Jordan, Tad Williams, Stephen
King, and John Chisholm back-to-back for an example of this. Of course,
like I said, each writer has their own technique. But I betcha Robert and
Tad use a lot more words to set up a scene than Stephen and John. Now,
based on what I just wrote, can you guess what kind of writer I am? :-)
Dean Koontz is descriptive, yet he's not fantasy. I would assume that fantasy writers have to be descriptive because of the different world that they are in.
But that becomes static as well if you're writing in the active voice all
the time. Variety is best here. (This is one of my problems in my writing.)
Well, in dialouge, active voice to describe who is talking is like a rule. I haven't seen any pro writers write in "said he" type deal. ( I also heard that if you do that, you are considered a hack).
Not necessarily. "'Til I See Your Ghost' was written in the present tense
on purpose, to give insight on how Ukyo's thoughts and feelings as she
experiences them.
I bow before thee oh master of prose :)
Well, that's my view on things. Glad you posted this though. Just remember
that most people writing fanfics are paying homage to their favorite anime.
Some are experienced writers. Some aren't. This list gives them a way to
tell their stories, and we are here to help comment on their stories and
give them insight on how to make them more readable and encourage them. And
those who take comments to heart wind up becoming better writers because of
it.
You know, I like this list. :)
============================================================================
/===\ LaShawn M. Taylor (shonnie@zeus.anet-chi.com)
|^ ^|\ Ranma: What's more important? One brief moment of happiness, or the
\v/\| Nanniichuan Spring?!
|\ Ryoga: One...brief...moment...
\| (Ranma 1/2)
"It's good to be Bach, VERY good to be Bach. This one's called 'Love
at First Sight'. [begin guitar intro] It's about debauchery and
things like that."
(XTC, Live in Concert, 1980)
============================================================================