"Dialogue!"

         You looked at your screen and ask, “Suzanne Beck, what is your favorite part of writing?”
        “Why, the answer is very clear!” Beck responded in a cordial way, “Dialogue!”
        Gasping, with a step back, you say, “How can this be?  Dialogue is so hard to do, so hard to write.  I wish I could be like you!”
        The endearingly, sweet, and humble Suzanne Beck nodded in agreement, “Yes, yes, I know.  But you see, my dear friend, it is really quite simple.  Let me give you a few tips and pointers.”
        You become silent with awe.

Dialogue is either a painstakingly harsh process for some, or a joy and a pleasure for others.  For me, I love it.  This love of creating a character’s voice, might stem from my background in theatre.  My schooling had taught me to focus completely on the character I was playing and think about why they might be saying what they were.  Whatever the reason one might love writing dialogue, there is a few rules and thoughts to keep in mind.  Here are a few tips to make the process easier.

Keep in Mind Who the Character Is-    This one might seem pretty self-explanatory, but I even struggle with this.  After reading through something I just wrote, I realize that I might have made a mistake by making a character say something totally out of their bounds.

Two Examples:

One:  If I develop a character that is uneducated with a mental handicap, and accidentally let them say a phrase like “I’m feeling very temperamental today” it would be out of their bounds.  I should probably change the word ‘temperamental’ to ‘moody’.  (no matter how much I like the word ‘temperamental’)

Two: Another character I might create might have limited experience in the subject of the conversation.  A lazy way of writing is to just throw in a “I understand”.  (unless you want the character to lie, let your reader know this)  But if you choose to just fly through the dialogue and the reader will know, and begin to question your writing skills.

Let It Flow, Let It Flow-   Because of my background theatre, which is mainly from college, I love to play the part.  The only way to rehearse a play is to speak the lines.  If you were to enter a rehearsal, it is very seldom that the actors are silent.  They must speak.  As a writer, even if your speech skills might be slighted, you must still speak.  Mumbling to yourself may seem loco, but you are really helping yourself.  Many times, especially when I’m alone, I will “play the part” and talk like my characters.  I will create a practice dialogue.  This helps develop the characters and the story.  So next time you are alone in the car, or hey, even at the grocery store, try a few lines.  You might understand why a writer will cry for their characters, because for most, they have been the character and have seen through their eyes.

Show Don’t Tell-  Telling the story is often a big mistake writers will make.  Now unless the character is telling another character what happened or their background, a writer should not have the character say thing like, “I am now picking up the bill, and now I am paying the bill.”   This would be silly and ridiculous.  The reader will probably throw your book across the room.

        ---Dialogue Can Move the Story Along---       Using dialogue as a tool to move your readers through the plot is a great method.  Having a character fire a main character at work.  This example, besides showing and not telling, is an excellent way of moving the story along.

      ---Reveal a Character’s Character---       Revealing a character with their speech is an excellent way to utilize dialogue.  An example would be if a wife tells her husband that she is pregnant.  His simple reply of “That’s great.” may seem sincere at first but then later writer can reveal a conversation between the husband and his best friend when he admits he doesn’t want another child.  You have shown the readers that the husband isn’t always honest with his feelings to his wife.  Yes it would be easier to just tell a reader, but showing is more entertaining and capturing.

I hope these tips have helped.  It takes practice.  So often I have written out whole conversations, so brilliantly written, but have had to highlight everything and regretfully hit the delete button, because in the long run, I know that it doesn’t flow quite right with the story.  I look back at my tips and realize what fits and what doesn’t.   Don’t give up and remember to keep the character in mind, let it flow, and show don’t tell.

               

            Once Suzanne Beck finished, you sit up, eyes blinking, and say, “That was the most amazing thing I have ever heard.  You know, you should write a best seller.”

            Suzanne Beck smiles, “Oh, don’t you worry, my beautiful reader, I won’t let you down.”

-Beck

Words, Words, Words!

Words are the only link that a writer has between themselves and their readers.  Without words, books would be impossible.  (not including picture books)  Sentences, paragraphs, chapters, etc. make up a beautiful pyramid eventually building one on top of the other to create a working story that contains plots, places, and characters.

My primary focus is going to be on fictional books, so please do not assume I mean to degrade or downplay non-fiction.

Today you are able to take a glimpse at my favorite tool.  My Webster's Dictionary Plus Thesaurus.  Inside its ragged pages lie so many words.  A comfort always comes over me when I pick it up, leaf through, and find what my forgetful brain needs.  I've used it so many times, taken it so many places, and had it in and out of my bag so many times, you will see that the cover including the back, has completely come off.  There is no denying that it is my "go-to".

To start, the dictionary, is a wonderful asset.  When I am not sure what a word means I will go straight to it.  I will be the first to admit that I don't know everything there is to know.  Any writer would be a fool to assume they can work without it.

Secondly, the thesaurus, is my favorite part.  If you were to look inside this section, you would notice that I have highlighted quite a number of words here.  Using a highlighter normally draws my attention to a word that I think is unique and should be included in a story's vocabulary.  Sometimes, you just need that little push to a better word.  Something that flows better in the reader's mind.  Often, while I'm scrolling the columns, I will say out loud, "Oh, I forgot that word existed!"

If you are aspiring to write, or maybe just bored one day, I challenge you to either buy something like my so cherished dictionary/ thesaurus, or for the my more digital readers, create a document on your computer in which you can fill with words.  Highlight certain ones you like or make fun of the ones you hate.  There is no wrong way to go about it.

Learning a few new words everyday is great for the brain.  You will feel smarter too!

So get out there and discover something new, original, recent, young, firsthand, fresh... (Ant.): antique, ancient, obsolete

-Beck

The Only Good Writer is a Dead Writer

Joanne Rowling is known around the world as J.K. Rowling, famous for the Harry Potter series that has been enjoyed by many.  She has made a tremendous amount of wealth by her writings.  Many look to her as a role model and someone to aspire to.  Her writings, which eventually turned to movies, have encouraged many to follow in her path.  (Most wanting the instant gratification of wealth and fame.)

As for Suzanne Beck?  She is following a different path.

About ten to fifteen years ago, if I didn't like someone and/or definitely did not want to see them succeed, you might hear me say, "I hate that person, I hope they trip!"  Now at my current age, I have graduated to a new level of maturity.  Instead of wishing physical pain, I have developed a focus on desiring downfalls to their careers.

While I liked reading Harry Potter, I can't help feeling a jealousy towards the success of a fellow writer.  Pathetic, maybe.  But from my view point, I desire the full attention of the readers.  I don't want them distracted by other ideas from other minds.

The irony of it all, is that currently I have seven books on my desk that I am reading.  My attention is being pulled in all directions from a plethora of authors.

Hoping that I'm not the only creative person out there that feels envious towards other's achievements, I will patiently wait another ten to fifteen years from now to see if I mature again.

Maybe by then, I'll be the one that others will be jealous about or encouraged from.

-Beck

In the Open- Part I

Those of you who know me personally along with those who might choose to follow me, will be surprised with what you find.  I am not as open of a person as you think.  Like many of you, I am self-centered and wish to be left alone for the most part.  Being now pushed into the open by myself and certain obligations, I now will start this journey.

I must build my platform, reluctantly.  In the book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt, it is strongly suggested for any and all writers to start a blog, to start a fan base, to start a social connection, and to start a platform.

As a writer, I naturally have a strong desire to get any and all my ideas out of my head and into the world.  Oddly enough, I must force myself to create a place where people can look me up and down, inside and out.  Maybe I'm old fashioned, not even thirty years old, and still wishing I didn't have to advertise myself.  But I desire success.

My goal, to be a full time writer, will set me free.  It must be accomplished. 

Since a girl, the desire to make plots and characters has always been there.  I encourage everyone to read my mind to learn about them.

I can't promise that my writing will be always be good, but I will try to make it something great.  So that if you do return to me daily you will take something with you every time.  I place myself out in the open for you, my beautiful readers.

-Beck