The key to writing decent dialogue is listening to people speak. We finish each other’s sentences, cut each other off, ‘mansplain,’ and may other various things.
When I was a kid, it was a shouting match 90% of the time. A battle of words and wit. Most conversations never really ended, only morphed into a new conversation.
This weeks prompt is dialogue based! Write an argument:
Happy writing! xxoo-A
Happy Wednesday! This weeks writing prompt is a little bit more of a trick to help you get you to start writing. Well, all prompts are there for that purpose, but this is a fun trick I learned! So, I’m passing it on.
I REMEMBER…
Write two sentences, but start the first one with, “I REMEMBER…”
“I remember the drab avocado green couch felt like an over sized cinder block wrapped in nylon wool. No matter how you chose to sit upon it, you would somehow bruise your tail bone.”
Once you’ve finished your two lines, go back and delete, “I REMEMBER” then read what you have left.
“The drab avocado green couch felt like an over sized cinder block wrapped in nylon wool. No matter how you chose to sit upon it, you would somehow bruise your tail bone.”
Now you try. Happy writing! xxoo-A
In 1966 Truman Capote published, IN COLD BLOOD, not the first true-crime novel–but by far one of the most influential ever written.
When I think, “Write about the terror that has no name,” my first reactions go to this book. While there is a lot of ‘scary’ in the world–nothing is more scary to me than the idea of someone I don’t know killing me.
The scenario plays out in my head, usually on nights when I’m alone. And I have escape plans–none of them that great. But I’ll try–I hope. I pray I’ll try.
What do you think the ‘terror that has no name’ is? Please tell! (So I can be even more afraid of the night.)
Happy writing! xxoo-A
I picked this prompt because I feel like it forces your hand. You these this sentence and automatically think, ‘fallen angel who runs amuck messing up, royally.’
But what if that’s not it at all. What if it’s a backhanded comment? Like:
“Did you hear about Kara?”
“I did. What a shame…”
“Yeah, I guess you never expect an angel to set the world on fire.”
–or–
Maybe it’s a ‘thing’ a character says.
“You really screwed up this time, Mary.”
“Maybe I have, but you know what they say–no one expects and angel to set the world on fire!”
Words. Words. Words. Love ’em or hate ’em–but they affect all of us. Even the none writing people in our lives (or in this world.)
I like the latter of the two. I like the ‘catch phrase,’ for lack of a better term.
“Life’s too short, man. And you know what they say…”
Happy writing! xxoo-A
I wanted to think outside the box today, to present a prompt in a different way. Back when I worked in an office I was bored a lot of the time. Not that job was boring, but I did have down time. When that happened I would email my friends. A couple of them and I would create fantastic stories that were much more amusing than we felt reality ever could be.
My favorite ‘made up lives’ still comes up to this day–well over a decade after it was created. We are cowboys. I am Whiskey–because I’m a feller who likes his drink, and my girl friend was Bone–because she had buried her far share. Including the beloved Carl who was accidentally shot one night, because Bones had a penchant for shooting first and asking questions later.
Each time we created a story it always started the same. One of us would write a sentence and it was up to the other person to say what came next.
For this Wednesday’s Words, I give you this sentence. Tell me, what comes next:
This is what I think should happen:
“She stood out from the crowd, because she was the only person who didn’t have identical coats, and hair, and shoes, and leggings. She stood out because she didn’t belong. I knew she must belong somewhere–we all belong somewhere–but it wasn’t here, not with this group of homogenized conformist.
I glanced around to see who else noticed her sleek black hair, oval face, and nearly extra foot in height–but when I looked back, she was gone.” –A
But what do you think happens next? Share with me in the comments or blog about it and tag me!
happy writing!! xxoo-A
The Prompt: Write a scene that starts with, “I haven’t told this to anyone before, but I’m going to tell you.”
— — — — — — — — —
Psst! You. Yeah, you–right there. This is for you. So… I ain’t told this to no-one before, but I’m tellin’ you. I’m sure you’re thinking, why? Why me? Why now?
It’s just time. Sometimes life works like that. Those secrets you bury so far down they make the soles of your feet it work their way back up your legs, torso, and throat until you have no other choice but to sing Dixie to the nearest standing person.
That’s you. Let me warm my vocals before the big guy ferrets me out.
I’m sorry if you don’t want it to be you. Actually, I’m not sorry. I’m not, because I ain’t never asked for this . Never wanted the damn thing–but I’ve toted it around anyway.
Shit. Wait.
You hear that?
There! That was a foot step. You know I’m right. It was clearly the sound of a footstep–
It’s outside, so sit down. I’m almost outta time. If I don’t tell you now, no one will know the truth.
Crap. That door won’t hold if they keep kickin’ it like that!
If I could grab your shoulders I would, but know this–IT WASN’T ME! Now you gotta go, but know it wasn’t me!! Just let me get out of this and I’ll tell you the rest. Meet me at…
Shh… go.
Hey, Minnow. What’cha doing here? This is Terrence’s hole. Aw, man! You don’t gotta be like that! Just put down the gun, man!! Put it down!
Word Junkie 