Romance Newsletter

January 16,2006

About this Newsletter

I wish I could just make you turn around,
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you,
So many reasons why
You're the only one
Who really knew me at all

"Against All Odds" ~ Phil Collins


Letter to the Editor

         People often say that actions speak louder than words. While I believe that's true,sometimes it's difficult when we don't hear anything at all. Words can often reassure us that things are what they seem.

         Dialogue plays a substantial role in our lives as well as in stories. Readers get to feel what's expressed through the characters' words. As romance writers, we often try to use circumstances and pieces of conversations from our own daily lives as a basis for the interaction between characters.

         It can be very tricky to have your characters communicate in a story without sounding dull or redundant. It gets boring for the reader if everything ends with the common, "he said, she said." On the other hand, you want the actual conversation to sound realistic.

         Outside of a Shakespearean play, people don't talk to one another in poetic language. Take a look below; the characters' words are too overdone and the narrative bits are plebeian...

          "My heart sinks when I come home. With every corner I turn, your face is no longer there," he said.
          "I too, have longed to melt in your arms," she said.

         Tone down the flowery factor to make the dialogue believable, then compensate by adding action to the narrative cues....

          "I've missed being near you," he whispered into her ear.
          She shivered and murmured back, "It was hard to stay away."

         It's not an over-the-top change. It's easy, in fact: simplify the dialogue and save the fanciness for the narration. Now it's a credible read. You can envision this scene and keep writing similar ones over the course of a story. You couldn't keep up the poetic version with a straight face, nor would anyone read it.

         Some people find writing in the romance genre difficult. However, I think if you let things come naturally you'll find that you can create a wonderful relationship between your characters. Romance at its best often comes from unprepared events. Don't force the romance in the story, just give it time and it'll somehow show itself.


Editor's Picks

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BURY ME DEEP  [ASR] #1055432 A contest entry - from the heart by COUNTRYMOM-JUST REMEMBER ME

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Last Chance  [13+] #147307 Tom and Val were once happy. Against all odds, they have a chance to be again. by anniesong

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All comments and suggestions are welcome!

Until next time,

Lexi

Rules engage and tanks parade and I escape into solipsystic minds. Emerge, Liquefaction