In the modern world of technology, the next time you get asked to a party (and it may be sooner than me because of my cheesy salsa incident) take along a voice recorder. Discreetly place your cellphone (mobile) or other listening device on the table amongst the chatty Cathys and press the record button. At the end of the night, go home and listen to the recording.
Write down each person's name and their dialog. It will surprise you (or maybe not) that you will recognize each individual just by the sound of their voice. You will also notice that each person has their own speech pattern and special phrases.
That's distinctive voice.
Now, just because people have distinctive voice doesn't mean we want to write like we speak. Why? Because most of our conversation (I would say at least 50%) is filled with babble and small talk. Whereas dialog in a book should 6 elements:
- 1)It should always move the story forward
- 2)It should make sense to the reader
- 3)It should end. Who wants to read an hour's worth of conversation?
- 4)It should have a point.
- 5)It should tell us more about the character
- 6)It should be interesting and meaningful
Picture Source: here
Elizabeth at Mystery Writing is Murder lists six really important questions you should ask about your plot.
Rayna, uses a great example to show how important it is to know your readers.
19 comments:
Always some brilliant post!!!! I love this one! I have never thought about it before but the next time I'm at a party (this weekend!!!) I plan on recording the conversation! It should help the dialogue problem I have!
I forgot to add, perhaps you should get permission to record people if in your country they like to sue.
ann
You could also tell them that you're a writer and as such make no money whatsoever. You want to sue me!? You (insert obscenity here)! Now, press record, that should get you some really interesting conversation.
ann
That's a fantastic idea! You may also end up with good blackmail material :)
I'll definitely have to try that. Thanks!
As a teacher, I have finely tuned my eavesdropping skills! It helps in all parts of my life :)
Lorel, great idea, so, if they do sue you, you have the money to pay them.
Jemi, we as writers have great listening skills. However, I'm often so lost in thought that I rarely hear what anyone says.
ann
I love to people watch - and listen. It has gotten me into trouble a few times but I still can't help myself! It is a great way to get inspiration for a story!
I look forward to reading the next post about this.
Ann - There's nothing like really listening to people - real people - to learn how distinctive voices work. As a linguist, I'm fascinated by shades of difference in people's choice of language, diction, word choice and the like. I think that gives our characters personality, and it's an important part of what makes people remember characters. It makes characters come alive.
You raise an interesting question about recording, too. People may speak differently when they know they're being recorded from the way they speak otherwise, but I still think it's a good idea to let them know. I guess that's my academic background rearing its head. When you do resaerch, the ethical thing to do is let people know they are "on the air."
Fascinating exercise. Whether you record the strangers or not, who doesn't end up with moments to eavesdrop in public every now and then? Plenty of time to study and listen for different voices.
Lovely post. Never thought of recording a conversation before, but I do eavesdrop shamelessly. And I am from a country where people have the most intimate conversations/ confessions in the most public of places, so eavesdropping is even more fun.
And thank you for linking to my post.
Harley, I'm glad you liked it, and I will try to make it just as entertaining tomorrow.
Margot, yes. And you have a truly interesting profession. I love how some linguist can know where a person comes from based on their dialect or speech patterns.
Faith, yes. And it's amazing how much we can learn if we really try.
ann
Thank you, Whiteshark, I'm sure many authors are flattered by your comment.
ann
One other dialogue tip: Dialogue has to sound like real speech, even though it isn't "real" speech.
great great post!! thank you!! (will slip sneaky slithery recorder in purse NOW!) tehe
Thanks for the great post, Ann! I love eavesdropping. There are some fascinating people around me - in particular, the market vendors at Portobello. I love how they talk, the cadence of their speech...
Have a great weekend!
I commented on this post but my replay is gone. Here it goes again.
I always hear my characters speaking. I just have to be fast enough to write down their words.
Hah.
Tirz
Very interesting idea! Today I went to the mall to people watch, not really to listen but just to watch how they interacted with each other, and the little things they do that tell about them. Very eye-opening and I think I even have the start of a new character! :) Ang
perhaps you should get permission to record people if in your country they like to sue.
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