THE PROCESS CONTINUES EVOLUTION-DIALOG

To skilled writers, those who have published several books, they are aware of the importance of dialog in their stories. To myself, and hopefully a few other new writers, it is part of the ongoing process, or learning curve.

As I begin editing, re-writing, embellishing the next book, and eliminating various lines or sections of the book, I noticed how flat it was. It lacked the element of which we live every day. It lacked enough dialog to help move the story. It is easy to see, difficult to achieve.

I first finished the book a few months ago and put it down since My DIARY My LOVE required most of my attention. I am glad that it did, because when I went back to the second book I wanted to kick myself. It was a story that one would tell sitting around and having a casual conversation about nothing special. Why, because the characters lacked the ability to truly express themselves.  

What happens when one of your characters walks into Starbucks and stands in a line behind six other people? The line moves forward and after 20 minutes, because the author notes the clock on the wall, passes. He orders his or her latte and as he picks it up he accidentally bumps into someone and drops his drink, which explodes when it hits the floor.

Okay, a page maybe, two barely, three there would be far too many words and most of us would put the story down. However, now add dialog that the character has with the person standing in front of him. Another individual, in the same line, overhears the conversation and a serious or comical argument ensues.  

A normal event, getting coffee, possibly becomes a part of the book that readers find disturbing or hilarious or just plain enjoyable. I have already begun hearing from some of the few readers who have my first book and I am pleased with the comments about various events in the book that they found funny, which was my intent. It was very gratifying.

I have to credit some of my growth to YouTube. Why, because I listened to several well-known authors, giving several interviews, full of helpful information. I was never great at sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher, and maybe that's good or maybe it's not. Time will tell.

Regarding the ability to create dialog or improving dialog in a book, the most helpful information I have received personally has been listening to YouTube to Audio Books. For no other reason than to listen to the interactions of the characters and to mentally see how those characters come alive. I am not advocating for anyone to do this, I am just sharing my journey at becoming an author.

Thank you,

Robert Stephen

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