A Point With a View: Playing With POV
You’ve
got the perfect idea for a story. Strong characters, great plot,
amazing setting… now—who’s going to tell it? This month, let’s consider Point of View and how it can work for—or against—your story.
got the perfect idea for a story. Strong characters, great plot,
amazing setting… now—who’s going to tell it? This month, let’s consider Point of View and how it can work for—or against—your story.
What: Northern Network Meeting
Date: Wednesday, March 6
Time: 7pm
Location: Barnes & Noble (4099 Meridian Street, Bellingham)
Questions? Call Rebecca Van Slyke at (360) 354-5797, or email
FRESH FROM THE FEBRUARY MEETING:
He Said, She Said:
Let’s Talk About Dialogue
Let’s Talk About Dialogue
SCBWI Northern Network
Talk by Rebecca Van Slyke
Talk by Rebecca Van Slyke
The Northern Network discussed dialogue
this month. Dialogue is simply a conversation between two or more characters.
But writing effective dialogue can be incredibly challenging. We learned
several tips. Dialogue should:
this month. Dialogue is simply a conversation between two or more characters.
But writing effective dialogue can be incredibly challenging. We learned
several tips. Dialogue should:
· have a purpose. If your dialogue, like
any other story element, doesn’t do anything to move the story forward, cut it.
any other story element, doesn’t do anything to move the story forward, cut it.
· be brief. Use the “rule of the index finger.”
· be consistent. Each character should
have their own way of speaking that is easily identifiable.
have their own way of speaking that is easily identifiable.
· sound real. It emulates but does not replicate
real speech
real speech
·
reveal your character. As your story
progresses, reveal the layers of your character through actions, thoughts and
dialogue.
reveal your character. As your story
progresses, reveal the layers of your character through actions, thoughts and
dialogue.
Dialogue should not:
· provide too much information. Don’t use dialogue as an “info dump.”
· reveal backstory in an awkward way.
Beware of “As-You-Know-Bobisms.” As in, “As you know, Bob, we’ve been friends
since third grade.”
Beware of “As-You-Know-Bobisms.” As in, “As you know, Bob, we’ve been friends
since third grade.”
· rely on adverbs. (“I know,” she said,
happily.) Show us, don’t tell us.
happily.) Show us, don’t tell us.
· overdo tag lines (replied, called,
remarked, added). You want the taglines to be invisible, so “said” should
suffice in most cases.
remarked, added). You want the taglines to be invisible, so “said” should
suffice in most cases.
· be redundant. (“I’m sorry,” he
apologized.)
apologized.)
So how do you do it?
· Listen to people.
· Include voice inflection, gesture and
setting to break up or add beats to dialogue.
setting to break up or add beats to dialogue.
· Tell it slant. Make sure the dialogue
reflects the inner workings at some level.
reflects the inner workings at some level.
· Don’t forget to let your characters
shut up. Sometimes silence speaks louder than words..
shut up. Sometimes silence speaks louder than words..
· Read widely. When you feel lost, go to
books that work..
books that work..
· Study films and plays. They are nearly
all pure dialogue.
all pure dialogue.
· Read your dialogue out loud, or have
someone else read it out loud to you.
someone else read it out loud to you.
· Show growth in your character.
Following these
guidelines will result in dialogue that is vital, organic and true, giving your
characters roundness and depth; giving them their voice.
guidelines will result in dialogue that is vital, organic and true, giving your
characters roundness and depth; giving them their voice.