Dialect-Use it Wisely but Use it!

Writing your first novel-Some things you should know, , Leave a comment

Dialogue is one of my favorite tools in the writing arsenal. You can do so much with it and if done correctly it will keep your story moving forward by showing not telling. One of the key components in dialogue is dialect. Use it wisely but use it. One thing you want to avoid is coming across offensive or stereotypical(racist). 

Dialect allows you to differentiate between characters and get a better understanding about who they are. You can learn a lot about a person based on their accent, grammar, and choice of words. Dialect done properly suggests- education level, social status, race, and ethnicity.

Examples of slang, nonstandard syntax, or grammar to suggest race, social class, education i.e.

gonna vs. going to

kinda vs kind of

holler vs hollow

don’t matta vs It doesn’t matter.

If you have a character from abroad throw in some regional slang (Scottish say-aye for yes and bairns for children).

The next time you read a book take a close look at your characters and their dialect. You will learn a lot. The fact that you didn’t even think about it while reading the novel is a plus for the author. It was seamlessly woven into the story.

Speech pattern is important as well, but it’s less about dialect and more about consistency and knowing your character. If your character is……

  • terse                –   short burst of speech
  • angry               –   speaks through clinched teeth
  • nervous            –   stammers or rambles
  • domineering    –   silent and threatening or rages

If you’re writing science fiction you can develop you own language and your own rules. There are no limits. Just be consistent.

Hope this gives you something to think about when writing dialogue. Remember to differentiate through dialect, and the dialect should match your characters position in society. Also remember to be consistent with speech patterns, unless an evolution in speech pattern is an integral part of the story (Flowers for Algernon, My fair lady).

-Jan R

Dialect-Use it Wisely but Use it!

Your Inner Critic is Your Worst Enemy

Writing your first novel-Some things you should know, Leave a comment

If you are constantly looking over your shoulder, you may not finish your novel. You will be too busy battling the thoughts of it not being good enough. No one wants to be humiliated or rejected. Your inner critic will paralyze you by telling you just how bad your work really is (even if it’s not).  This is another obstacle that I have had to overcome. It hasn’t gone away, I’ve just learned to deal with it.

I recall doing a Bible study on the battlefield of the mind. Though its primary purpose is dealing with spiritual warfare, it also relates to many of the issues that we deal with in our everyday lives. Our mind is a battlefield. In writing for example, all of us worry about looking dumb and never getting published. Fiction writers make a business out of being scared and not just looking dumb.

It took me six months from the time I started writing a novel, to tell my husband what I was doing. When I finally told him, I was a mess. I knew he would be excited for me and encourage me in my endeavor, and I didn’t want to let him down.

For the longest time I’ve treated my writing as a hobby. That’s not a mindset that will get you published. When I finished and sent out my first novel to a few agents, I was more than a little anxious. The first few rejections confirmed my beliefs. I just wasn’t good enough.

Note that I said I wasn’t good enough. Well that’s not exactly true. The truth is the novel wasn’t good enough. The fact is, it was filled with grammatical and structural errors, there was some serious head hopping going on, and my on-the-nose dialogue was all but bringing the story to a complete halt. If you are not familiar with these terms you should be. Go back and read the posts I have written addressing them.

I don’t know that the inner critic will ever go away. So how do you combat it? You keep moving forward and growing in your craft. Don’t stop. I still question my writing abilities, but I know that I know that I know, that they are a lot better than they were when I submitted my first novel. I’ve learned the hard way and hope to help you avoid some of my pit falls.

Some professionals recommend the following exercises to help you move forward  when the inner critic tries to stop you.  I do my own variation but never really thought about it.

  1. The five-minute nonstop-Write for five minutes nonstop without thinking about what you’re writing.
  2. The page long sentence-Choose something to describe and write a page long sentence about it.
  3. The list maker-Whenever you’re stuck for an idea make a list. Brainstorm the ideas and use the best.

I just pound away at the keyboard and concentrate on what I’m writing about until inspiration kicks in and it will. Just don’t quit.

-Jan R

Your Inner Critic is Your Worst Enemy

Editing – Where Do I Begin?

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Being a first time Author, I had no idea how complex the editing process was.  My idea of editing included spell check, making sure punctuation was used appropriately, and everything was in the right tense (past, present…).

As I stated in an earlier blog, my novel was rejected the first time for having grammatical and structural errors as well as the dreaded dragging dialogue.  Keep in mind this wasn’t the complete manuscript. The agent would have probably found far worse if she had read more of it.

When you begin editing and you will,  you’ll want to take a closer look at everything. You may need to do some research, take classes, or do tutorial type seminars online. Below is a sample of the types of questions you should be asking as you read through your work.

  • How’s the flow of your dialogue? Is it necessary? Does it move your story forward or just sit like a rock taking up space and killing the moment?
  • How is the pacing? I like novels that move at a faster pace, however I know you have to slow them down occasionaly so the reader can catch their breath.
  • Does your plot make sense, does it flow throughout the story with smooth transitions from chapter to chapter?
  • What about your character development? Have you created real, likable Characters? Can your reader identify with them?
  • Word choice-is there a better way to say something?
  • Are you showing and not telling?
  • Have you mastered emotions you are trying to convey? Can you feel the tension rising?

Ask others to read your work as well, or if you would prefer not to do that then join a group online. Scribophile would be an excellent choice. I am a member of their group. Thousands of want to be authors are on the site, and they will read and critique what you have written. They would love the opportunity to interface and exchange information.

I wouldn’t rule out hiring and editor. I am currently working with a developmental editor. They can be pricey, but they have an editor’s eye and sees things that you don’t.

-Jan R

Editing – Where Do I Begin?