tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post7770121190217658417..comments2024-03-29T05:45:39.184-06:00Comments on Blood-Red Pencil: Creating Real Characters through Dialogue, Mannerisms, and ActionsDanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14471919576687777886noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-15979869041967018692017-05-16T18:54:42.704-06:002017-05-16T18:54:42.704-06:00Thanks, Peg. You'll be one of the first. :-)Thanks, Peg. You'll be one of the first. :-)Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-14957735291340482612017-05-16T18:52:21.763-06:002017-05-16T18:52:21.763-06:00I love your encouragement to find the differences ...I love your encouragement to find the differences but don't drill them into the reader. Let the reader first see them, then feel them.<br /><br />Can't wait to read your next Diana!Peg Brantleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04906858123466177508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-22309778001615557032017-05-16T10:35:08.022-06:002017-05-16T10:35:08.022-06:00It is definitely a slippery slope. I also read alo...It is definitely a slippery slope. I also read aloud. That is the best indicator of whether or not you're writing believable dialogue. Sometimes I'll say, How did I write that? because it doesn't ring true. Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-90734042271200616952017-05-16T09:46:17.705-06:002017-05-16T09:46:17.705-06:00I agree with the advice about overuse of regional ...I agree with the advice about overuse of regional dialect. At times it can add richness to the book, but so often it is distracting. And, having been an actress and storyteller, I do read them out loud sometimes and they are ludicrous when actually heard that way. I think less is more, and when it is used, it should be done with great care and consideration.Khadijah Lacinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07355128695081775758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-91438387178060502782017-05-16T08:10:18.547-06:002017-05-16T08:10:18.547-06:00That's a great idea. Sometimes I can hear my c...That's a great idea. Sometimes I can hear my characters. When I was in high school, I was in a play and got the bug, so I considered going into drama. I think when I write a character, I become her or him. At least that's what's in my mind. Consistency is the key.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-27844871678901060452017-05-15T21:11:36.435-06:002017-05-15T21:11:36.435-06:00Making your characters sound different is somethin...Making your characters sound different is something I struggle with, but it is worth doing. I decided my next book, I would make notes next to each character name and try to refer to those notes every time I wrote their dialogue.Diana Hurwitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18216220574149672733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-4705902908557579742017-05-15T17:03:23.955-06:002017-05-15T17:03:23.955-06:00Thanks, Maryann. I appreciate that. When I wrote t...Thanks, Maryann. I appreciate that. When I wrote this blog, I went over the manuscript to see how often I dropped the g. There are pockets of this secondary character's dialogue. I was conscious of it at the time, and my editor reined me in. I hope it's not annoying. With each book I learn more. :-)Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-13322354397298955272017-05-15T16:37:45.700-06:002017-05-15T16:37:45.700-06:00I couldn't agree more, VR, which is why we bot...I couldn't agree more, VR, which is why we both like Joe O'Loughlin and Robotham. You make my point why some series leave me cold, and it usually concerns lack of growth in the character. My series is episodic, but there are always references in later books, and that's when that tricky backstory comes in. Even if you'd prefer to ignore the earlier plots, they're how we got to that point in the new story. So there is that fine line that straddles both series identities. One thing I don't like is serial cliffhangers, which force the reader to buy the next book. That's manipulation, in my opinion, and I don't like to be manipulated. Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-17026868243220577472017-05-15T16:34:18.263-06:002017-05-15T16:34:18.263-06:00BTW, I do enjoy your books.BTW, I do enjoy your books.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-16019180934404979232017-05-15T16:33:18.623-06:002017-05-15T16:33:18.623-06:00Love the post and love the advice from Elmore Leon...Love the post and love the advice from Elmore Leonard. His 10 rules are the best. <br /><br />I once had an editor at Southern Living magazine advise against dropping the "g" on the "ing" words in dialogue. I wrote a story set in Texas and tried to capture the drawl of Texans. The editor encouraged me to rewrite the dialogue and find the rhythm that would have the drawl. It worked.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-48931951640135177262017-05-15T16:28:25.271-06:002017-05-15T16:28:25.271-06:00Thanks, Linda. For me, it's all about the char...Thanks, Linda. For me, it's all about the characters. Developing them in a standalone is A to Z, whereas in a series, it's more complicated. A to C, the D to G, etc. Then you have to go back to B for catch-up. Such is the challenge. I think you'll like Robotham's books.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-83643549649910214662017-05-15T16:22:49.765-06:002017-05-15T16:22:49.765-06:00Terrific post, Polly. As you know, I’m a big fan o...Terrific post, Polly. As you know, I’m a big fan of Michael Robotham. I think many readers tend to identify series as either episodic or serial. For me as a reader, the best series cross that line. An inventive storyline is great, but a brilliantly wrought character arc is what keeps me coming back. <i>Real</i> characters have lives that extend beyond a good plot. <br /><br />VR Barkowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04927993233682731113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-31594774356727201802017-05-15T12:55:18.351-06:002017-05-15T12:55:18.351-06:00Good post, Polly. Haven't read Robotham's ...Good post, Polly. Haven't read Robotham's series but will give it a try. Your books are excellent examples of good character development.Linda Lovelyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06689184015264104687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-71099017521772606482017-05-15T07:37:02.379-06:002017-05-15T07:37:02.379-06:00Thanks, Linda. The old adage, everything in modera...Thanks, Linda. The old adage, everything in moderation, is particularly important when rounding out your characters. Sometimes too much of a good thing can become a bad thing.Polly Iyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05729656119287702191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704943052235281766.post-56357911279176291642017-05-15T07:07:31.141-06:002017-05-15T07:07:31.141-06:00Great post, Polly. Dialogue definitely helps to id...Great post, Polly. Dialogue definitely helps to identify and individualize a character. Consistency is vital, however, and not always easy to remember to do; otherwise, traits such as dropping the "g" from ing words becomes an obvious gimmick rather than a character trait.Linda Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16056682992943171805noreply@blogger.com