Monday, September 7, 2015

Confessions of a Dialogue Nerd



Some people are grammar connoisseurs. Others can write settings that dance across your brain in living color. What makes me sigh is a delicious bit of dialogue. It stretches me as a writer to communicate a mood and give the reader a peek into the heart and mind of the character.

One of my critique partners commented that she liked this line from the third book of The Moses Trilogy, Out of the Mist. (It released on 8/16/15!)

"The tears that come from sadness over a loved one's death are never ugly. Every drop speaks of how much you miss them and how special they were to you."

My ears are attuned to how people express their innermost thoughts. A quote from a dear friend has stayed with me over 20 years: "We give counsel with an open hand." Another gem: "Look at the situation from God's point of view."

Writers and Readers:  People will quote bits of dialogue from movies or books that stick with them for years. What are some quotations that resonate with you?

Photo Credit: BSK

3 comments:

quietspirit said...

I like Strother Martin's line in 'Cool Hand Luke.' "What we have here is a failure to communicate." He uses it several times in the movie. I have thought it often in my day to day life.

Karen Lange said...

Love that quote! :D I'm with you, I love delightful, insightful, and memorable lines from good books.

Anonymous said...

This is so true! From an old friend: "Things are not always as they appear." Simple but true too.