#dialogue
Writers of spec screenplays often make the mistake of explaining things to readers, as if there is no other way of being understood.
Subtext is the opposite of that.
Since the easiest way to demonstrate this is to write two scenes, one with subtext and one without, that is what I did.
See if you can guess which one has subtext.
1.
2.
Both scenes establish that Janine and Cuddy are friends, that Maddy has cruelly broken Cuddy’s heart and that Janine ends up with the ring.
But the first scene also establishes that Janine is a smart girl who can handle herself, that Cuddy is prone to bad decisions and getting into trouble, and that Janine is not above a little deviousness, but ultimately she will do the right thing by calling for help.
So the answer is Scene 1.
That is subtext.
That is all.
A Guest Post by Erin
Dialogue is essential to a story especially when you are writing a slice of life story. Dialogue can be used to voice a character’s motivations, reveal information (backstory’s/history of your world) and move along the plot.
Dialogue is hard to write, so don’t be discouraged. Often, we as writers tend to write something and our audience perceives it differently than we intended. The same is true with dialogue, it’s not what we meant to say but what our audience heard.
Here are five mighty tips to help you push your dialogue further.
1. Unique POVs
Each character has their own personality and behavior, they should also have their own way of speaking that is different from everyone else. If you establish their manner of speaking early in the story, you won’t have to use dialogue tags after every sentence. Your audience will understand who’s talking.
Example:
A: Hello, how are you doing on such a lovely day?
B: Fuckin’ terrible.
A: I’m extremely sorry…what happened?
B: My mama gotta pig flu.
2. Awkward Dialogue
Dialogue is hard to write because it sounds good in your mind but on the paper, it reads awkwardly.
To avoid awkward dialogue:
- Read it aloud. If it sounds weird to you, it will sound weird to your readers.
- Utilize software. Google docs has a voice reader feature. It will read your text back to you. Through this process you can fix errors, replace misused words and fix unnatural spacing.
3. Spacing
To improve the quality of your dialogue, natural spacing, breaks, and pauses are necessary. Writing long paragraphs of dialogue without breaks will confuse your reader. It won’t sound realistic and your reader will lose their place while reading.
Also give the character something to do as they are speaking. Rarely do people simply talk without doing another activity.
4. Suspension
When writing emotional scenes, build up to the emotion. There must be a reason that this character is mad/sad/happy. Convey that in the story whether through their action or dialogue. Don’t randomly add exclamation points and all capitals. Your audience will be lost. Build the suspense whether through one scene or a few chapters.
Example:
A: Hey Lucas.
B: Yeah.
A: Remember when you told me I could borrow your pencil?
B: Yeah…??
A: I… broke it earlier…Sorry.
B: WHAT!!!?
5. Movement
Dialogue carries the plot just as actions do. Don’t be afraid to give your characters dialogue, but only when appropriate. Before writing always ask: Why should the reader care about what my character is saying? That will be a guiding factor to determine how long or short the dialogue will be.
Example:
A: I can’t believe that the King is treating us like this, its’ crazy! There will soon be war!
B: It’s been 50 years too long.
A: He must go!
B: I agree, he will be getting his just desserts soon.
*This scene explains the current situation without being unnecessarily lengthy. It also leaves the readers guessing what will happen next.
-Erin
Alex Ruygrok
Getting back to my car at the local mall I found this cutie sitting on the front bumper…
ME– Young man, this is my car you’re sitting on.
CUTIE– Yeah, I know that, sir. Saw you park here ten minutes ago. Thought you might give me a lift when you came back.
ME– I see… but there’s over 200 hundred other cars here, and lots of them much better than mine. Why did you choose mine.
CUTIE – I didn’t choose the car, sir. I chose its owner…
ME– Oh… OK, hop in dude. You didn’t even tell me where you’re heading to. But I guess you’re OK if we go to my place for a while…
CUTIE – Sure sir. I’d love to.
It’s been a long time – several months – since my last tribute to an extinct and short-lived tumblr. Here’s a new one, this time to pixie-boys (October 2019 – July 2021). I selected a fine collection of 18/25 year-old cuties… The texts – if any – are mine.
Enjoy!
Post link
“I don’t understand humans.”
“You are human…”
“I know. My statement stands.”
“You’re not funny.”
“On the contrary, I’ve been told I’m hilarious!”
“To look at…”
“He shocked me.”
“Why? What did he say?”
“No, I meant he electrocuted me…”
“I have a headache.”
“Don’t lie. You need a brain to have that.”
Orrrrr
“How can you listen to your music that loud? You’re going to give yourself a headache.”
“Ha, my last three brain cells died during finals week. I can’t get a headache now that my brain is no longer functioning!”
“I have a headache.”
“Don’t lie. You need a brain to have that.”
“You should wear this, it brings out your eyes.”
“Wait, What? Why would I want to bring out my eyes! I like them in their designated spot!”
“Er, no that’s not what I’m sayin-.”
“Honestly, you humans are so strange.”
“You’re a real piece of work, you know that?”
“Yes, and a priceless one so back up and out of my space.”
“Please do not touch the science.”
“The science?”
“Yes. It interferes with the science.”
“I’m just saying, I think plants make better friends than people…”
“Plants don’t talk”
“My point exactly.”
“Have you spent all night avoiding me?”
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Break a leg. On second thought, let me break it for you.”
