TokeBernbole
03-11-2009, 01:49 PM
I'm writing a science fantasy novel. I'm having the most trouble with characters and especially the dialogue. I've read a lot of advice and most are saying to use plain he/she said in most instances. I find this hard to swallow although I do somewhat understand the point. Mainly avoiding redudant descriptors such as asked, exclaimed, argued, asserted etc. Most of these can be portrayed by dialogue; the first two with the symbols ? and !. Some examples I just found in my own work:
"What the...!" He exclaimed.
"Hey Sinclair?" Rikter asked questioningly. ::LoL this one is bad::
In emotional or action parts I often find it easier by just describing actions as they speak.
"Your beautiful." He said.
"Oh you..." She blushed.
He took her hand," I only want you."
She shied away," I've known men like you."
My trouble comes to parts that are less exciting but you'd like to use this time to show how the characters interact when not under diress. I don't want them to bore the audience I want them to learn more about the characters. Do I keep describing actions/body language/emotions for such occasions or express that through the dialogue? Comments welcomed!
"What the...!" He exclaimed.
"Hey Sinclair?" Rikter asked questioningly. ::LoL this one is bad::
In emotional or action parts I often find it easier by just describing actions as they speak.
"Your beautiful." He said.
"Oh you..." She blushed.
He took her hand," I only want you."
She shied away," I've known men like you."
My trouble comes to parts that are less exciting but you'd like to use this time to show how the characters interact when not under diress. I don't want them to bore the audience I want them to learn more about the characters. Do I keep describing actions/body language/emotions for such occasions or express that through the dialogue? Comments welcomed!