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Bad Dialogue

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crlisle
(@crlisle)
Posts: 423
Gold Member
Topic starter
 

David Farland's writing hint today about bad dialogue is spot on! I will now make changes to my 2nd quarter story. Basically, dialogue is whatever should not be said by narration. Doh! wotf012

Vol. 36: 3rd -- R, 4th -- R
Vol. 37: R, HM, HM, SHM
Vol. 38: HM, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 39: SHM, RWC, RWC, HM
Vol. 40: HM, R, RWC, R
Vol. 41: R, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 42: 1st -- pending

Amateur published stories:
"The Army Ration That Saved the Earth" -- Accepted for publication, waiting for contract
"The Tell-Tale Cricket" in The Murderbugs Anthololgy
"Follow the Pretrons" in Martian Magazine, and a Critters Award
"Eyes and Hands" in Galaxy's Edge Magazine
"The Last Dance" in Parliament of Wizards, LTUE anthology
"My Ten Cents" in Sci Fi Lampoon
Professional Publication:
"Invasion" in Daily Science Fiction

 
Posted : January 27, 2020 8:38 am
(@rjklee)
Posts: 176
Bronze Star Member
 

Yeah, I noticed that one. Dialogue is definitely one of those things I find myself using a lot in first drafts and editing out later on. Dialogue is important. It’s just a matter of when to use it well. My possible entry for Q2 had that issue too and I’m doing my best to sort out a balance between the conversational feel of the piece and inserting more non-conversation passages.

R.J.K. Lee
WotF 2021: SHM, R, R, S-F
2020: HMx2, Rx2
2019: Rx4
2018: N/A
2017; HMx2, Rx2
2016: HMx2, Rx2
2015: Rx1
Publications:
Stone Shaper Tanukis Estranged in Dark Cheer: Cryptids Emerging - Volume Blue (Improbable Press, 12/13/2021)
Memo from the Jolly Overlords on the Weird Christmas Podcast (12/2020). I read my story at the 22:10 mark in the flash fiction contest episode.
Monthly updates on where to submit your creative work: https://figmentsdiehard.blogspot.com/

 
Posted : January 27, 2020 9:55 am
Dustin Adams
(@tj_knight)
Posts: 1425
Platinum Plus Moderator
 

Here it is:

https://mystorydoctor.com/writing-wretched-dialogue/

Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/AuthorTJKnight

 
Posted : January 27, 2020 8:34 pm
(@wulfmoon)
Posts: 3262
Platinum Plus Moderator
 

This is funny. I actually planned a Good Dialogue exercise for Super Secrets for about three months now. I've been waiting for the right time to write it.

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Posted : January 28, 2020 7:53 am
(@ellisael)
Posts: 32
Advanced Member
 

Here it is:

https://mystorydoctor.com/writing-wretched-dialogue/

So good!

 
Posted : July 7, 2020 8:21 pm
(@dentalflosstycoon)
Posts: 2
New Member
 

Here it is:

https://mystorydoctor.com/writing-wretched-dialogue/

That was amusing. Also, don't forget the cartoonish dialogue tags, like countenance, stammer, mutter, lilt, and ejaculate. Yes, I've read that last one in a friend's story before.

 
Posted : July 22, 2020 11:31 am
Dustin Adams
(@tj_knight)
Posts: 1425
Platinum Plus Moderator
 

Yes, I've read that last one in a friend's story before.

wotf030

Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/AuthorTJKnight

 
Posted : July 23, 2020 1:16 am
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