Young Beginner Writers (closed) discussion

I've just started writing and I've just gotten to the speech part but it just sounds like a 6 year old is writing it please help if you have any tips/ advice on this topic. Thanks.

Dialogue can be tricky sometimes, but for first drafts I think it's more important to just get the words out. Write it they way you would have the conversation with your [insert character here ie. mom, best friend, nemesis, acquaintance, etc.] and then worry about editing and cleaning it up later. My biggest struggle is just to get words on the page. I want to nitpick and fix everything before I even manage to get the storyline down!

Another thing to consider, watch out for saying things in your dialogue that you could show your readers in other ways, through actions, narrative, etc. It helps you to avoid redundancy and it makes the dialogue flow more naturally.

Well, I hope one of those helps a little!

For dialogue, I like studying other books. Like Harry Potter has greatly influenced my writing style. I find that if I mix action into character's words, or how they look, it flows more naturally. Here is an example:

"Do you really think that I would do that?" Emily said, her voice pleading.
"It wouldn't have stopped you before, so why now?" he snarled. "I'm sick of you. You go do whatever you want with no thought about how I feel --"
"That's not true!"
"-- and then you come back sniveling to me, saying that you didn't know better, and when that doesn't work you turn it on me and make it my fault!" James picked up a vase and hurled it against the wall, where it shattered into pieces.
"No . . . James, that's not -- I never --" Her eyes were wide and filled with emotion.

This is a very dramatic example (and maybe not the best one to use), but note the dot-dot-dots and the hyphens (--). Faltering and interruptions occur naturally in conversation of all emotions.

Actually, I'm not postive that I did the hyphen correctly, but you get the point. It's a dash, a break, a sharp pause.

I think getting a thesaurus might help. so if you think a word sounds like a 6 year-old or just isn't right you can find a new word for the same meaning.

Emily wrote: "I think getting a thesaurus might help. so if you think a word sounds like a 6 year-old or just isn't right you can find a new word for the same meaning."

My thesauruses are my best friends ever! I keep several on hand near my trusty Webster's dictionary! Very good advice!!!

Coralie wrote: "Emily wrote: "I think getting a thesaurus might help. so if you think a word sounds like a 6 year-old or just isn't right you can find a new word for the same meaning."

My thesauruses are my best ..."

that's awesome! I had never really used one until I participated in a writing program earlier this year. and I loved what it could do for my writing and now I try to use one whenever I write :)

Emily wrote: "Coralie wrote: "Emily wrote: "I think getting a thesaurus might help. so if you think a word sounds like a 6 year-old or just isn't right you can find a new word for the same meaning."

My thesauru..."

I keep mine on my shelf. With Google and Word, sometimes it's easier to use the internet and built-in computer programs, but I'm kind of old-school. I usually only refer to it when I'm looking for a specific word but can't find the right connotation. But they're definitely a great help to have around when you need them!

Coralie wrote: "Emily wrote: "Coralie wrote: "Emily wrote: "I think getting a thesaurus might help. so if you think a word sounds like a 6 year-old or just isn't right you can find a new word for the same meaning...."

I agree :) I'm the same way, Old School :) yes they are a great tool to have around.

Emily wrote: "Coralie wrote: "Emily wrote: "Coralie wrote: "Emily wrote: "I think getting a thesaurus might help. so if you think a word sounds like a 6 year-old or just isn't right you can find a new word for t..."

Hahaha! "Old School" is definitely, a great way to describe me...in so many ways!! :D

Coralie wrote: "Emily wrote: "Coralie wrote: "Emily wrote: "Coralie wrote: "Emily wrote: "I think getting a thesaurus might help. so if you think a word sounds like a 6 year-old or just isn't right you can find a ..."

:D that's Awesome!

Charlotte wrote: "I've just started writing and I've just gotten to the speech part but it just sounds like a 6 year old is writing it please help if you have any tips/ advice on this topic. Thanks."

If you still need ideas, it'd be easiest to give recommendations with some context regarding the speech. Otherwise, the above advice will probably be of best use.

Good luck!