Romance/Love: February 15, 2006 Issue [#834] |
Romance/Love
This week: Edited by: Lexi More Newsletters By This Editor
1. About this Newsletter 2. A Word from our Sponsor 3. Letter from the Editor 4. Editor's Picks 5. A Word from Writing.Com 6. Ask & Answer 7. Removal instructions
I wish I could just make you turn around,
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you,
So many reasons why
You're the only one
Who really knew me at all
"Against All Odds" ~ Phil Collins
|
ASIN: 0995498113 |
|
Amazon's Price: $ 19.95
|
|
People often say that actions speak louder than words. While I believe that's true,sometimes it's difficult when we don't hear anything at all. Words can often reassure us that things are what they seem.
Dialogue plays a substantial role in our lives as well as in stories. Readers get to feel what's expressed through the characters' words. As romance writers, we often try to use circumstances and pieces of conversations from our own daily lives as a basis for the interaction between characters.
It can be very tricky to have your characters communicate in a story without sounding dull or redundant. It gets boring for the reader if everything ends with the common, "he said, she said." On the other hand, you want the actual conversation to sound realistic.
Outside of a Shakespearean play, people don't talk to one another in poetic language. Take a look below; the characters' words are too overdone and the narrative bits are plebeian...
"My heart sinks when I come home. With every corner I turn, your face is no longer there," he said.
"I too, have longed to melt in your arms," she said.
Tone down the flowery factor to make the dialogue believable, then compensate by adding action to the narrative cues....
"I've missed being near you," he whispered into her ear.
She shivered and murmured back, "It was hard to stay away."
It's not an over-the-top change. It's easy, in fact: simplify the dialogue and save the fanciness for the narration. Now it's a credible read. You can envision this scene and keep writing similar ones over the course of a story. You couldn't keep up the poetic version with a straight face, nor would anyone read it.
Some people find writing in the romance genre difficult. However, I think if you let things come naturally you'll find that you can create a wonderful relationship between your characters. Romance at its best often comes from unprepared events. Don't force the romance in the story, just give it time and it'll somehow show itself.
|
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter! https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
ASIN: B083RZJVJ8 |
|
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available. |
|
All comments and suggestions are welcome!
Until next time,
** Image ID #885253 Unavailable **
Lexi
Rules engage and tanks parade and I escape into solipsystic minds. Emerge, Liquefaction
|
ASIN: 0996254145 |
|
Amazon's Price: $ 12.95
|
|
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction
of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright. |