I have mentioned before how I tend to talk to myself when I'm working on dialogue. It is no surprise that the crazy side of me comes out on occasion. Of course, being a writer, I kind of invite the voices into my mind, which is slightly crazier than the people who fight to keep them away. Oh well, sometimes you'll have that.
Anyway... This "technique" works really well when I'm working on those moments that touch something deep in your heart. You know what I'm talking about. The stuff that makes you teary-eyed.
I have tons of books that will bring tears to my eyes at certain scenes. I could probably spend the next five minutes searching through my Comfort Reading List to a few of those that are my favorites (The Harry Potter series did a real number on my tear ducts), but not really prudent at the moment.
These scenes require a lot of work. If the characters aren't believeable and likeable, you'll never get a successful scene. And without the rigght words and feel to the scene, it will be just as ineffective.
So after making sure my characters are up to snuff (the character development questionaire), I start talking my way through the situation. I make notes in shorthand about what I'm saying, and who (in my mind) is saying what. I get myself worked up until I manage to cry (like a little girl, of course). After that, its a simple matter of going through those notes and adding what worked into the story.
I talk to myself all the time not just when I'm writing dialogue. Doesn't eveyone? ;-)
ReplyDeleteI feel like I have some emotional scenes in my work, but usually I'm so deep into the characters that I can't really FEEL their emotions until I go back later and re-read something I've written.
ReplyDeleteScott
I find myself agreeing with Scott. I get so involved in the characters, esp. in the re-writes, that I can't see them as others would.
ReplyDeleteThe hardest part can be causing emotion in the reader..
ReplyDeleteDuncan In Kuantan