More Talk!

One of the topics of my newsletter Writing Ain’t for Wimps! was proofreading. A subscriber, an older gentleman, responded that his wife proofread his novels. She checked the grammar and told him that his characters weren’t using proper grammar. He responded that people don’t speak with proper grammar. He implied they had a bit of a tussle over it. They were both right. “No,” may become “Naw,”  if that’s the way your character speaks. As a writer you have to stay true to that manner of expression. How your character speaks gives that character color and interest. However, when you are in the third person your narrative is unique to you as a writer. The flow of the words you have chosen to use gives your work feeling and flavor. A narrative with a regional or ethnic flair maybe able to omit proper grammar if that is your writing style. Generally though, when writing the narrative you should follow proper grammar and punctuation rules.

     Reading plays is a good way for you to get a handle on dialogue. If the playwright has done his or her job you will get a sense of the speech. The three Southern sisters in Beth Henley’s Crimes of the Heart do not speak in the same way as the characters in Irish playwright Sean O’Casey’s The Plough and the Stars. All the characters are speaking English, but it’s very different in tone, phrases and rhythm. When writing the Wicked Will Trilogy (an adventure featuring William Shakespeare as an irascible youth) I incorporated some of the phrases that he invented like "wild goose chase" and "forever and a day" in young Will's dialogue. It was fun to do and I thought added charm to the speech.

     I’ve encouraged you to write your novel, that is set as much of the story down as you can. Once that is done, then you can go back and give some thought about the things we have been discussing. Do your research, explore the characters, the plot and locale. You can then add to your story. What you have learned so far will start making sense to you. There is no hurry. Unless you are on a writing deadline, you can take your time. Fiddle with your story. Add this and that…characters and plot line and see where it takes you. It’s like a puzzle or as I’ve said before a road with different pathways. Those pathways may take your character in a different direction. Enjoy the adventure wherever it takes your hero and you! Happy Writing!