Dialogue Lesson Six, My Summary:
My initial intention for becoming an author was to write a memoir, not to write a novel or fiction. However, what I soon discovered, I needed dialogue to bring life to an otherwise list of things and facts.
In my sixty-seven years, I have never written or had to write ANY dialogue. This may explain why I have had such trouble with dialogue punctuation. Inner and outer dialogue, action tags, speech tags, what the hell are those? I thought I already had vaccinations for those!
Thanks to this class, I now know. I once used many 'caps' to emphasize words… wrong! Punctuation is my biggest bug-a-boo, of which I am still working. This class has helped tremendously.
My formal education ended at high school in 1965. I am sure LA can concur but I have attempted to educate myself in the years since. While I am far from being illiterate, some things in punctuation I was just ignorant. This class has brought me out of that fog. While I am not 100% yet, I think I am at 80% based on the in-line corrections I have received since I started this class. The most important thing, I now have basis for understanding which I did not have before.
LA, you have the patience of 'Job,' literally. I got a chuckle by your comments on my punctuation corrections. You would end your comment by saying, 'AGAIN!' Hey, you are dealing with an old dog! Thus, my comment about my thinking I was wearing a bit thin on you. If I were you having to deal with me, I probably would have snatched myself bald by now. Of course, I use that as a figure of speech but you know what I mean. This also explains my regard for your poise!
You read my before and after of lesson five. I wrote them one day apart, over that weekend. The first I wrote honestly, as I approached writing before this class. I gave no thought as to what I had learned. Then the next day, I applied the lessons we had been taught. The result was not perfect but you know I got the concept of what you were teaching. My teachers in school never got that point across to me after having me in their classes for years. The difference is, you made the subject interesting and relevant. Having us, review the work of our peers helped us understand how others were applying the instruction. It certainly opened my eyes.
As I have told you before, you formed this six-week class to be informative and thought provoking. You made it understandable and presented it in such a way, we could apply what we learned immediately. You gave us the simple basics as the foundation and gave us structure for major applications. I don't feel I am speaking out of line by saying, "This has been the best investment of time, in which I have ever participated."
My only regret is, being on-line; I would like to have met and shook the hand of LAMackey, for a job well done! Maybe someday… when I am a published author!!! (I know, I am old school)
Best regards,
Wyatt Goodwin
1 2015-10-29 08:53:02
Re: Lesson Six (7 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
2 2015-10-25 08:11:14
Re: Lesson Five (22 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
LA:
In all seriousness, if I had had a teacher like you when I was in school, I would not have these issues today. You make these lessons very interesting and thought provoking. I hope you have another class; I would jump on it in a heartbeat!!
Best regards,
Wyatt
3 2015-10-23 00:47:37
Re: Lesson Five (22 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
Hi LA:
Just want to thank your patience with me, although I detect I am wearing a bit thin on you, as well you should!
Why could I not have had you for my english teacher. Probably because you were not alive yet, when I was in High School. You are not going to believe this but I did terrible in english. Okay, so you do believe it. What I did learn about english and grammar I learned on my own over the years. Obviously I learned it wrong and have had 50+ years to practice doing it wrong. I've heard it said, 'It takes 21 days to break a habit,' which may explain why I am making some of the same mistakes.
I am not making excuses, all the evidence points to me. I am trying to let you know how I got this way!
Thank you for helping me break this habit!
Wyatt
4 2015-10-22 00:20:54
Re: Lesson Five (22 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/posting … tent/22030
AS REQUESTED, THIS IS THE 'BEFORE' VERSION OF LESSON #5
5 2015-10-21 22:37:31
Re: Lesson Five (22 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/publish-posting-22029/
Okay, here is my 1st submittal for lesson five! This was written as a complete short story over the weekend. Then I went back and applied this lesson to this section only. Based on how poorly I did on lesson four, I have my doubts on how this is going to go over. THIS IS THE 'AFTER' VERSION!
6 2015-10-16 20:09:15
Re: Lesson Five (22 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
Hi LA:
You want us to pick a different scene, not the one we used in lesson four, right?
Wyatt
7 2015-10-15 23:05:09
Re: Lesson Four (17 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/publish-posting-21997/
Hold the door! The old man is coming in with a load. I have revised for a 3rd time. I may be old but I keep going until it is done... maybe!
Best regards,
Wyatt
8 2015-10-15 09:16:10
Re: Lesson Four (17 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/publish-posting-21993/
Okay, here is the re-revised version of "RED." Hope this does it!!
Thanks for your help LA.
Wyatt
9 2015-10-14 11:44:11
Re: Lesson Four (17 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/posting … n-4--21983
This is the revised edition superseding the original
Thanks,
Wyatt
10 2015-10-14 06:06:13
Re: Lesson Four (17 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
Hi LA:
I see what you are talking about and will correct it. If you go back to your comments from lesson one for that same paragraph, I took that as approval and not need of change. That is why I did not touch it. I left it as-is. My misunderstanding.
11 2015-10-13 03:41:09
Re: Please only post relevant content to this group (1 replies, posted in Marketing Your Writing)
How far along with a book do you need to be, before you start talking about marketing?
Thank you!
Wyatt
12 2015-10-13 03:24:25
Re: An ignorant question ... (5 replies, posted in Marketing Your Writing)
Along with others here, I am totally new at this. Is there a rule of thumb what constitutes a book? Is it X number of words say 20,000 or 100,000 words. How many Chapters, is there a target number and how long should a chapter be? Should it be no less than 1500 words and is 8,000 words too much. I am just looking for targets. Yes, I know these are dumb questions but who do I ask these questions of, if not here... in a forum for ignorant questions. I am writing a memoir, if that is of any help.
Thank you!
Ignorantly yours,
Wyatt
13 2015-10-11 01:10:49
Re: Pertaining to Lesson 4 (6 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
So, we are grabbing another gear! Each lesson becomes more interesting and I am incorporating what I am learning into my book as we go. "No sense in wasting time," is what my dad always said!
As always, thanks for your help LA!
Wyatt
14 2015-10-07 17:13:03
Re: How do you keep yourself motivated to write? (6 replies, posted in Writing Tips & Site Help)
Since I have already put off writing for forty+ years, using every excuse in the book, I don't have a writers block. Now that I have made a total commitment, I've got my mojo back. As far as actual writing time, that can vary day to day. Research, study, reading the work of others, are all a part. Reading your stories inspire me, I see so many similarities in our stories. I know I am on the right track. The truth of the matter is, Janet Taylor-Perry is the one who recommended to me joining TNBW... now I am eternally indebted to her. What I am learning about the mechanics of writing, it would have taken me years to learn on my own. So my hat is off to all of you. As you can tell from my picture, I do have a hat to take off, so it is not just a figure of speech!
Wyatt
15 2015-10-07 16:23:07
Re: motivating writing (1 replies, posted in Writing Tips & Site Help)
Good advice Sheriff!
I am new at this but that is what I am finding out in the rhythm of writing. Going with my gut and going thru reviews cleans it up. Thanks for the confirmation.
Wyatt
16 2015-10-07 05:45:14
Re: Lesson Three (10 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
Sample Scene Lesson # http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/posting … tags-21941
17 2015-10-07 00:56:47
Re: Lesson Three (10 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
Posted homework for lesson #3 http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/posting … on-3-21937
18 2015-10-05 02:03:54
Re: Pertaining to Lesson 3 (16 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
Wyatt Goodwin wrote:LAMackey wrote:Excellent Wyatt! And what specific role or roles can the tag play? In other words, what's the function of the tag?
To show who or whom is doing or saying what. Is that correct?
Yes!
How about that... looks like I am catching on! See, miracles do happen!!
Thanks for your help, LA!
19 2015-10-04 02:07:50
Re: Pertaining to Lesson 3 (16 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
Excellent Wyatt! And what specific role or roles can the tag play? In other words, what's the function of the tag?
To show who or whom is doing or saying what. Is that correct?
20 2015-10-03 01:17:25
Re: Pertaining to Lesson 3 (16 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
I am totally guessing on this and it is one of my many weak spots. I almost hope this sounds dumb because I am... about this stuff.
I think! The tag is the portion before or after the quote marks Example: "Remember the Alamo!" Fred screamed, as he fell off the roof...
(Fred screamed, as he fell off the roof) ... is the tag.
Fred falling off the roof... indicates character movement.
I also hasten to add, I am not positive this is correct. It is however, truthful and concise! (I don't think there are extra points for truthful and concise! Hahaha!)
The other way to display character movement is through narrative speak, which allows more latitude to create more vivid word pictures. Example:
As Fred fell through air he noted to himself, 'there is a bit of chill in the air. Of course it means not a thing, since I will be dead upon impact'... splat!
Wyatt
21 2015-10-02 06:01:55
Re: Thursday Writing Examples (6 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
LA: Thank you for your help. I may be slow but I catch on fast. I am grasping what you are saying and teaching. My life revolves around my belief, 'you can teach an old dog new tricks.' Okay... so it takes a little longer.
Wyatt
22 2015-10-01 11:29:54
Re: Lesson Two (11 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/posting … n-2a-21913
This is the second Dialogue written this week, this one not related to my book. This is taken from current events from Wednesday, so it cannot be said I wrote it ahead of time. It is totally fictionalized... in fact I made up the whole thing. Other than Obama and Putin... they already did exist, unfortunately!
23 2015-10-01 11:04:05
Re: Lesson Two (11 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
Just published written dialogue for Lesson 2 under the name 'Edison'. Hope this will suffice for 'Punctuation
http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/posting … on-2-21903
This is newly written dialogue from the book I am writing. Because you said that was not what you wanted I have written a separate piece, which I will submit this shortly.
This was originally submitted Tuesday but I had not provided a link, so it did not get reviewed, because I did not know how to create the link. Like everything else, I will figure it out on my own and I did.
24 2015-10-01 08:51:49
Re: Thursday Writing Examples (6 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/posting … on-2-21903
This is my original writing example, posted Tuesday night. I just now figured out how post the web tie so hopefully I have now completed the requirements...
25 2015-10-01 03:34:52
Re: Thursday Writing Examples (6 replies, posted in Dynamic Dialogue)
LA:
The piece I submitted for punctuation, was in a chapter from the Book for which I am working. However what you read was all created from out of thin air, last night. It was created from what I learned in this lesson. If I had written it this last week and you compared it to what I wrote last night; they may have had the same title and that would be all that they had in common.
The reason I am taking this class is so I can publish this book and time is of the essence.
Originally, the first draft of my book was mostly narrative, as anyone who read it said, it needed dialogue. I did not know how to write dialogue; thus, me joining this class. If you read what I wrote last night, you would have to agree, I have totally turned that around.
It may not be perfect but I think it is good enough for somebody to read, consider and not throw in the trash.
Please reconsider my request, to be able to multi-task these assignments. I have not read any commentary you may have made on my presentation from last night. So these points may be moot. As far as feeling strongly about this, I think you would have to say, I do.
What are your thoughts??
Very sincerely yours,
Wyatt
