Action/Adventure: December 02, 2009 Issue [#3416]
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Action/Adventure


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  Edited by: THANKFUL SONALI Library Class! Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

"Yes. No. Okay. Bye then."


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

At a playwrights' workshop I attended, one of the assignments we were given was to write one side of a phone conversation which heightened the tension of the drama. "It must be relevant to the action of your play. It must do something for the plot." It isn't easy, balancing the amount of information given with the sense of suspense. Also, info-dumps became our biggest problem.

In a play, the audience hears the one-sided phone conversation (or one side of any conversation). In a story, it could be a character overhearing something, or, if told from a first-person viewpoint, it could just reveal what 'I said'.

Well, for our assignment, we had to write the dialogue, and have people guess who the speakers were and the context.

Here are some samples:-

1. "Really? ... Goodness! ... I can't believe it! ... He didn't seem the sort ..."

Guesses - someone made a pass at the speaker; someone borrowed $10,000 and didn't repay it ...

2. "Okay I guess. ... Yeah. ... Yeah ... Hmmmmm. Bye."

Guesses - the speaker has to attend a party he doesn't want to go to; he has had to agree to something creative/work-related he doesn't really believe in.

3. "Now wait a minute! You mean to say you're not ..."

Guesses - about a million! Impersonation; being stood up on a date; a parent and teenager - and so many more.

Those were the easy ones! *Wink*

Now try these:-

a. "Hey! How's ... Wait a minute, you crying? ... Oh. Oh. ... I'll be right there."
b. "Hi. ... What? ... Come on, it can't ... I just meant ... Okay, okay. Sorry."
c. "Hello. ... Uh? .... But - but - tomorrow? ... But you said ... Yes, I know, but ..."
d. "Hi! Yeah, I know it's you. ... Wait, reception is bad or something ... hello? Hello? ... What? Why?"

JK Rowling fans will recall the scene in Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince - Harry, Ron and Hermione overhearing Draco Malfoy's conversation with Borgin. While both sides of the conversation were revealed, Harry, Ron and Hermione couldn't see what was happening, thus making for the suspense. Quote - "Tell anyone, and there will be retribution." "There will be no need for --" "I'll decide that. Well, I'd better be off. And don't forget to keep that one safe, I'll need it." - Unquote.

So, here are a few tips on writing one side of a conversation:-

1. Always know what the other side of the conversation is. You need to have the exact words in your head, to write the side you're working on.
2. Be true to the speaker's origins. For example, in India, idioms are often translated literally from the native tongue. Thus, "my nose will be cut" implies that "I'll lose face". So, write the conversation the way the speaker would speak.
3. Let silences speak for themselves. In a play, it's easy, the actor pauses. In a story, silence could be represented by a - dash "----" or a punctuation mark - "?? !!"
4. Use 'loaded' words ('accused' ...?; 'everything? Lose everything' ...?) and 'ordinary' words ('maybe' ... 'early' ...) as needed.

One side of a conversation gives you great control of how much you reveal and how much you hide, taking the plot forward to exactly where you want it to go. Try it!

*Laugh*
Sonali


Editor's Picks

Some neat conversations! (Thanks "The Dialogue 500" Open in new Window.)!

 Working Undercover Open in new Window. (18+)
International spies working undercover.
#1517426 by Coffeebean Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1515525 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1540052 by Not Available.


Entries to "Project Write World" Open in new Window. that had to be in the interview format, that is, conversations.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1375737 by Not Available.


The Indian Animal Open in new Window. (E)
A changing nation explores choices for a new mascot. [CONTEST 2nd PLACE]
#1387267 by VikramAdith Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1387755 by Not Available.


More items by Writing Dot Com authors - conversations in various forms.

STATIC
Three Billy Goats Yum! Open in new Window. (E)
Who's that tapping on my bridge? Might it be something tasty?
#1555012 by Ben Langhinrichs Author IconMail Icon


 Time to Upgrade Open in new Window. (E)
There might be a reason people no longer use answering machines. (Writer's Cramp, Winner)
#1620697 by Morgan Adam Internet Problems! Author IconMail Icon


 Lies Open in new Window. (18+)
"You can't spell 'families' without 'lies.'"
#1622838 by Robert Waltz Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1391343 by Not Available.


Some all-time favourites!

 
SURVEY
Quotation Inspiration: Official Contest Open in new Window. (ASR)
Use the quote provided to write a story and win big prizes!
#1207944 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon


GROUP
WdC SuperPower Reviewers Group Open in new Window. (E)
Join the fun! We inspire reviewers through kindness and learning! Winner of eight Quills!
#1300305 by Maryann Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1265620 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1374909 by Not Available.


 
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Ask & Answer

Feedback for "Action/Adventure Newsletter (November 18, 2009)" Open in new Window.
humdedum

Thanks! *Bigsmile* I was laughing, falling out of my chair through the whole newsletter! Was this the Comedy Newsletter too? *Laugh* Thanks for sharing this insightful sugestion - think of everything as an adventure. Thank you!!! *Laugh* Always: Hummy

Thanks, Hummy! Great to hear from you!

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