Dialogue

I was complimented on my dialogue, or rather conversation amongst characters, on a review for one of my books.

When I was young there was no texting, e-mails or even phones that were not tied to a wire. Passing notes was for elementary school students and though conversations on the telephone were often verbally and grammatically challenged, in person conversation was a completely different matter.

Witticisms, puns, the clever insight and the ability to express a coherent political position were well practiced. An extensive vocabulary impressed and acronyms represented a thought or institute of substance; not how much laughter a vapid mundane spewing of thoughtlessness may have instilled.

Yes, instilled, not inspired, as inspiration would imply the pursuit of some thought greater than one’s own.

How a person speaks to others is very telling of not only their education but of their character or lack there of. It may be driven by deep seeded issues of the past or more immediate situational stresses.

Dialogue is a great method for developing a character, but it needs to be consistent. It need not necessarily be described, but allowed to speak for itself.

Some of my short stories have little to no conversation.

In my novella the characters are few and the environment stressed. Describing one character’s commentary as having the ability to annoy (anyone) I felt was a necessary distinction.

So I was at my market stand the other day, you can find One Family Urban Gardens on Facebook, and I walked up to a guy who helps out a vendor here and there.

“How is the man of the wire?” I asked.

He is an electrician by trade and I enjoy the looks on his face when I razz him a bit.

“The way of the wire is long and narrow.’' I mused, “Shorter for some, wider for others…. The way of the wire is the way of power.”

A pained smile covered his face. He lowered and shook his head with a chuckle.

At least I didn’t call him ‘Sparky’.

Packing up my market stand I found my side view mirrors turned in. I didn’t recall any vehicles passing too close as they left the market, one farm truck is notorious for hitting other vehicles, so I am confused as to what happened.

One mirror actually wasn’t even accessible to vehicular traffic.

Find the way my friends.

You can make good money as an electrician, or in any of the building trades.

Should I keep writing?

I hear ya!

I hope you found my look into the past and my scant ideas on dialogue helpful, if you are trying to be a published writer yourself.

Thank you for reading.