Today’s card is focused on Voice and Character. The lessons on this one walk you through how to write a conversation between two characters. I had a good chance to showcase a conversation between two characters in my character sketch for Charlie, where he and his sister talk briefly about his clinging to a reminder of his ex.
It discusses the importance of your initial focus on the actual dialogue. And,actually, encourages the use of “he said” or “she said” in the place of less repetitive words. I have to assume that this only applies to when you’re actually writing.
I tried to puzzle out what to do for this card, like… do I write new dialogue for this? Or do I just post new stuff.
The card is helpful. But no way of doing dialogue is going to be the 100% correct way. Dialogue is a conversation between two characters (sometimes more depending on how a scene goes.)
Character A says something to Character B.
Character B responds!
It’s such a simple concept that can be interpreted in any way you see fit. As long as the things being said connect in one way or another. Or if they don’t connect, there’s some kind of explanation to them.
Like what if one person is having a conversation with two people at once?
SCENE TIME!
“Why are you calling me?” Charlie held the phone to his ear with his shoulder as he moved to sit down at the table in the corner of the mess hall. “I’m in the mess hall, just come find me.”
“I’m still getting ready.” Shannon said, her voice crackling in his ear. “I just wanted to make sure you’re settling in okay. Is anyone giving you trouble?”
“Psst.”
Charlie looked up from his seat to see Kyler standing beside him, and his eyes narrowed a little.
Kyler grinned. “It okay if I sit here?” Kyler whispered.
“Yes…” Charlie murmered as he scooted down a little on the bench, making room.
“Yes? Who’s messing with you? Is it Kyler? I will kill him.”
“No no no.”
Kyler froze as he was about to sit. “No, I can’t sit with you?”
Charlie gave Kyler an exasperated look. “I’m on the phone.”
“Chuck, I know you’re on the phone.” Kayla’s voice sounded a bit worried. “What’s going on over there.”
“Kyler! Kyler is going on!”
“So he is messing with you?” Shannon’s voice grew sharp. “I will crush his fucking balls.”
“Am I like… interrupting something?” Kyler sat down on the bench. “I can find a new place to sit.”
“No! No. Do not do that.”
“Are you talking to me?” Shannon’s and Kyler’s voices overlapped as Charlie groaned.
“For once, yes. I am talking to both of you.” He sighed. “Shannon. Please just come talk to me in the mess hall.”
Figured I’d have a little fun with this card, as I kind of struggled with figuring out how to write a decent sized blog post around it. How’d I do?
Scribbles of a Chee 
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