This is our last week to discuss writing lits. I hope it’s been helpful, even if you don’t write lits. Maybe you found a nuggest of truth for you writing.
Today we’ll talk about dialog, setting and research.
Dialog is part of voice, and very important to lits. While some genres like women’s fiction or romance can get away with long passages of narrative, Lits can’t. Why? Because it becomes too introspective, especially if writing in first person.
Dialg shows the voice of your character.
Dialog is great to create tension.
Dialog must ring true. Be authentic. Don’t be nice, say the hard words.
Dialog puts the reader in the scene.
Sol Stein says dialog is invented. Every word counts.
One great dialog tip is to watch trailing conversation pieces like, “okay,” “thanks,” or other common pleasantries. Works great in real life, but not in ficiton. Use dialog to reveal. While most of our conversations in “real” life are filled with frivolous words and trailing comments, fiction won’t survive if we do that. Delete extraneous dialog. Make EVERY word count.
What about setting? Work on having a strong setting. A city or town itself can be a great character that adds depth and texture to the story. If you can’t travel, choose a familiar setting for your book, or create a twon you absolutely love. Give it characteristics that draw in the reader, even add tension and conflict.
Nashville was a character in my NashVegas books. NashVegas is a nickname for Nashville alluding to the fun and showbiz side of the city. So, how does this city and aspects of the city impact my heroine, Robin McAfee?
How does setting help or hinder your character? The setting has it’s own “voice” or characteristics that readers recognize.
Research is also important to Lit writing. Find out details about your setting, your character’s profession to add depth and texture to your story. What events in your town or country can add texture to your story. While writing Diva NashVegas, I wanted to add a characteristic of Nashville for my country superstar to be involved in. Via research, I discovered Nashville has a Sandlot Baseball League. So, guess what Aubrey supported?
While researching songwriting, I learned from songwriters about co-writing and little jokes and terms they have. Like, “a third for a word.” Meaning, I get a third of the credit if I give you one word. This made Robin’s journey more authentic.
Don’t just take a country, city or profession at the surface level. Dig deep. Never know what jewel you’ll find.
Keep writing!
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