Help fixing dialogue problems.

[grapeape]

Where the hell do I go to fix that? Do you guys know of any books or other media that I can go to help fix dialogue problems?

My immediate problem is children. I have to write some scenes with them and they come off sounding all wrong. I don't really like being around children and don't spend any time with them.

This isn't my only problem however, and I need to develop a system where I can easily solve this reoccurring problem of giving a proper voice to someone that I have no real experience with.

You think you know many different types of people until you do this screenwriting thing for real.

[dpaterso]

Re: Help fixing dialogue problems.

Read scripts with kid characters? Watch John Hughes movies?

Some articles that might help, if you haven't already seen 'em:

http://johnaugust.com/archives/2007/...write-dialogue

A fistful of dialogue tips from Bill Martell's excellent www.scriptsecrets.net site:

http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip74.htm - What Is Dialogue?
http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip160.htm - Symbolic Dialogue
http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip234.htm - Loosening Up Dialogue
http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip253.htm - 40 Days of Symbolic Dialogue
http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip264.htm - I Am, I Say (Sit & Speak Dialogue)
http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip270.htm - Suspense? Just Add A Weapon (Suspense In Dialogue)

-Derek

[amandag]

Re: Help fixing dialogue problems.

Also, ask Corona, cause he has a daughter that likes to drown people in pools.

[Jcorona]

Re: Help fixing dialogue problems.

Also, use lots of 'the' and 'poop'

Also, ask Corona, cause he has a daughter that likes to drown people in pools.

Hi, Sis!

Corona

[grapeape]

Re: Help fixing dialogue problems.

Thanks
dpaterso vbmenu_register("postmenu_403126", true);

That's exactly what I was looking for!!

Grapeape.

[prescribe22]

Re: Help fixing dialogue problems.

I would suggest getting a hold of every Billy Wilder, Aaron Sorkin, and Richard Curtis script/movie you can get your hands on, then go to Sam French and stock up on stage plays.

Stage plays are great in that they've often been honed through several live productions. So the writer has had the unique perspective of seeing the play performed and perfecting dialogue according to audience reaction. It can give an added punch.

If you want to get bold, check out a local theatre troupe. See if they'll let you write some scenes for them to perform. And if you're really daring, join the troupe and perform yourself. Getting to actually say the words will give you a unique perspective when writing them.

Whether you do any of that, though, probably the best advice is to just spend a lot of time listening to people around you in every day life. Become a professional people watcher. Just don't get weird about it.