Now that 1 1/2 beta readers have given me feedback on my manuscript, (beta two is on the case) I'm concentrating on doing just this. I have tweaked a lot of dialogue as a result. I've read over the manuscript so many times that I can't bring myself to look at anything BUT the dialogue!
Being a fan of Gilmore girls, I have a thing for long, wordy, humouros dialogue. It doesn't always work though. I go by the general rule that if I get tongue-tied while reading it aloud, I may need to re-think it. Plus, I leave that sort of dialogue to Saskia and Eliza, the two smartest characters in the book. Being besties, they almost have their own unique language that no one else could quite fathom. (A bit like Lorelai and Rory? Maybe.)
A lot of the culling has consisted of removing a whole bunch of 'g''s. See, some characters enjoy 'goin' down the pub and 'avin' a piss-up, maaate.' These characters live in a small Australian town; they can't all be masters of the spoken word! I'm allowed to say this, bein' from Swan 'ill and still speakin' that way 'alf the time!
Reading my work aloud makes me feel closer to the work and the characters. I almost feel like I can imagine the novel as a movie when I act it out - it's exhilarating!
I do feel a bit silly if my husband or kids enter the room while I'm technically talking (often arguing) with myself, but that's okay. I just keep on truckin' and censor the swearing if the littl'uns are present!
One of my online writing advisors recommended drinking tea and sucking lozenges as you read aloud. It's great advice - it's amazing how quickly the voice starts to falter when you're literally speaking for everyone.
Dialogue is what I do best, so using this technique to make it even better is my new favourite thing. And if it does become a screenplay one day, then the actors might appreciate the work I put in!
Well, I'm off to wash some dishes. I'm quite good at that too, since I started listening to writing podcasts while I scrub.
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