I think I need to stop watching T.V.

[locker_monster]

So I'm enrolled in the Fiction class at the university. Basically it's a Creative Writing class but a lot more is expected of you. All the students have to critique each other's stuff for instance. My writing group went this week, first time for the new semester. I was second to volunteer to have my story looked over and this is a big leap since I have an irrational fear of having my work looked over. I don't know why. Fear of rejection maybe. But every time it's my turn, my hands start to shake, my face flushes, and I've got a hard time concentrating on what people are saying. Don't get me wrong; feedback's a great thing and according to the class, I've improved since my last story.

Just one thing seems to remain consistent though. People all seem to agree that my dialogue can use some work. It sounds too unnatural, more like something you would hear on T.V. than from real people on the street. I got to say I agree. It just doesn't seem like it to me when I'm writing. And I think the problem stems from the fact that I learned to write from watching T.V., as weird as that may sound. It all comes from watching Buffy. Joss Whedon showed me the way. I also think I don't read enough in my free time. I mean, I read stuff, but it's always for a class and I'm not enjoying the story for its contents or paying attention to how other writers are crafting their stories and their dialogue.

So less T.V. and more books? I will admit I am a little T.V. obsessed. Just before writing this I was watching the latest Battlestar Galactica because I couldn't watch it last night and didn't have time this morning.

I don't know. Something to work on, I guess.

Comments

[browncoat2x2]

Less TV and more books is a big yes.

From what I have heard, any writer worth their salt reads A LOT. As much as they can from as many genres as they can. You will absorb details just by reading, styles, techniques that you might not even be aware of, while others will become blatantly obvious. Reading the work of good authors will also demonstrate how flow and pacing works, paragraph construction, use of language... Read enough and all this will begin to come naturally.
I have a friend well on his way to becoming a professional author, and he reads constantly. He researches constantly. He writes constantly. Every day.

A book I really enjoyed reading, and you might like and find interesting, is On Writing... by Stephen King. It has some good insights, and was just really interesting.

As to dialogue... have you ever tried the old trick of reading your dialogue aloud? If you can speak it easily and naturally, usually it will sound natural in your story... just an idea. :o)

Anyway, there's my 2 cents for ya *G*

[locker-monster.livejournal.com]

You know the funny thing? I actually own "On Writing..." My sister got it for me one Christmas and I read it but it was awhile ago so not much of it stuck. Maybe I should pull it out again.

I really do wish I could read more. And expand on what I read. Gotta crack open some of those classics I'm always meaning to read.

Thanks for the thoughts. I had totally forgotten about "On Writing..."

[blueanddollsome.livejournal.com]

I believe realism in dialogue is over-rated.

When I write, I'm not trying to record life as-it-is. I'm trying to convey a message, tell a story. The dialogue should contribute to that, if not in content, then in style. It's okay to be stylized, even though the cult of realism is somewhat popular at the moment. It's art, not life.

[locker-monster.livejournal.com]

My prof is always saying that trying to write realistic dialogue is one of the hardest things to do. But what is realistic? Everyone talks in their own unique way, right? I do think that most of the time I'm emulating a Buffy-esque writing style when I'm writing dialogue. Is that good or bad? Who knows? Maybe I should post some of my original stuff and let the rest of the LJ world decide.

I have to admit it's good to hear from someone that dialogue doesn't have to be realistic. Thanks for that.