Stories - both (Survival and For Need of a Guide) submitted.
Dialogue - I tend to rely on my US beta to catch any blatant Briticisms (or in my case, Scotticisms) that might creep in. Other than that, I use whatever dialogue feels right. I've always said that each of us - even when ostensibly writing 'series' fanfic - is actually writing inside her own personal AU and the dialogue she uses is how she 'hears' the characters. Some people pick up one character quirk, and stress it ('cold and wet is my world,' and have Blair complaining about being cold all the time, although there are scenes where Jim is wearing a jacket and Blair has rolled-up sleeves), other writers pick up something different for him to obsess about - fear of heights, for example. If an infodump (more or less) is needed, I'll give it to Blair, who is the character most likely to produce obscure facts out of thin air. Other writers might look for some way to incorporate the facts in question into narrative.
I've read dialogue out loud some of the time; I've read
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Checkpoint #3
anonymous
June 25 2017, 16:57:31 UTC
Stories: All three stories have now been submitted.
Dialogue: I have to admit that, although I don't actually read dialogue out loud, (for fear of being overheard!) I do read and re-read it several times to make sure that it sound good to me. If it doesn't ring true, then I assume that it won't for others either, and will play with it until I'm satisfied. Also, as a Brit, I try very hard to make sure I don't use obvious 'Britishisms' such as lift/elevator, torch/flashlight, boot/trunk, lorry/truck, etc., etc., although I'm certain that the occasional one must slip through! Having said that, once I have a character established in my head, even if he or she might appear differently to other readers and writers, I find that I can stay in character fairly easily once I get into the 'flow', so to speak. And I quite agree that good dialogue really makes a story 'live' for me, whereas poor dialogue kills it dead, however good the plot might otherwise have been.
I agree getting the dialogue right is so important in a story and, in the case TS, I like to get a feel of the banter and humour that we see on the show. Luckily, so many of our great TS authors do that brilliantly!
I think these writing discussions were a great idea, Morgan, and it's a shame that they have coincided with rather a quiet spell on LJ.
Ahem. I know I'm not part of this big bang (while I am working on a long fic, after 7,000 words Jim and Blair have barely even met, and I have very little idea of what's going to happen along the rest of the way to the eventual ending). But it's always interesting to me to read about how people write, and I'm enjoying this, thank you!
T, why aren't you a part of this Big Bang? We sure would love to have you. There is still a long time before the stories are due. Give it some thought and sign up if you're game. :)
I suspect that finishing this fic, especially since I still know so little about what happens and will have to wait for the writing to unfold it to me, will take many, many months yet. But I will keep an eye on things as I can, and if a miracle occurs, who knows... it would be great to be able to participate as a writer.
Both of my stories are in. Glad to have that part over with. :)
I love good dialogue. The banter between Jim and Blair holds my interest for the longest of times. There are a lot of writers that can carry my attentions with nothing but good dialogue. I even like banter between Jim and Blair with the people in Major Crimes. I can't wait to see all your stories so I can see if it screams at me, saying 'Excellent dialogue'.
Comments 11
Dialogue - I tend to rely on my US beta to catch any blatant Briticisms (or in my case, Scotticisms) that might creep in. Other than that, I use whatever dialogue feels right. I've always said that each of us - even when ostensibly writing 'series' fanfic - is actually writing inside her own personal AU and the dialogue she uses is how she 'hears' the characters. Some people pick up one character quirk, and stress it ('cold and wet is my world,' and have Blair complaining about being cold all the time, although there are scenes where Jim is wearing a jacket and Blair has rolled-up sleeves), other writers pick up something different for him to obsess about - fear of heights, for example. If an infodump (more or less) is needed, I'll give it to Blair, who is the character most likely to produce obscure facts out of thin air. Other writers might look for some way to incorporate the facts in question into narrative.
I've read dialogue out loud some of the time; I've read ( ... )
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Dialogue: I have to admit that, although I don't actually read dialogue out loud, (for fear of being overheard!) I do read and re-read it several times to make sure that it sound good to me. If it doesn't ring true, then I assume that it won't for others either, and will play with it until I'm satisfied. Also, as a Brit, I try very hard to make sure I don't use obvious 'Britishisms' such as lift/elevator, torch/flashlight, boot/trunk, lorry/truck, etc., etc., although I'm certain that the occasional one must slip through!
Having said that, once I have a character established in my head, even if he or she might appear differently to other readers and writers, I find that I can stay in character fairly easily once I get into the 'flow', so to speak. And I quite agree that good dialogue really makes a story 'live' for me, whereas poor dialogue kills it dead, however good the plot might otherwise have been.
Kate x
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I think these writing discussions were a great idea, Morgan, and it's a shame that they have coincided with rather a quiet spell on LJ.
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I suspect that finishing this fic, especially since I still know so little about what happens and will have to wait for the writing to unfold it to me, will take many, many months yet. But I will keep an eye on things as I can, and if a miracle occurs, who knows... it would be great to be able to participate as a writer.
Reply
Reply
I love good dialogue. The banter between Jim and Blair holds my interest for the longest of times. There are a lot of writers that can carry my attentions with nothing but good dialogue. I even like banter between Jim and Blair with the people in Major Crimes. I can't wait to see all your stories so I can see if it screams at me, saying 'Excellent dialogue'.
Reply
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