re: Should She Leave the “g” in Regional Dialect?
posted 4/17/10Dear Editor…
What is your opinion on the use of dialect? In my MG novel, I rely on it a lot. The dropping of the “g” in knowing, for instance. I need to show how these two girls talk.
Right?
Sincerely,
Robyn
Click here to read the answer...re: Dare I Swear in a Teen Novel?
posted 4/2/10Dear Editor…
I’m writing a YA novel and the question of four-letter words has come up. Usually, I avoid them. But I’ve got a scene where two kids argue at school, and it seems natural to have one tell the other to f___ off. “Get lost” just doesn’t cut it. Do you have any suggestions? What is the best policy to follow?
Sincerely,
Shelia
Click here to read the answer...re: Are Sentence Fragments Worth Fisticuffs?
posted 3/11/10Dear Editor…
An argument is ensuing in my writing group about “realistic” dialog. On one side are the believers in using clipped dialog as they believe that is the way people speak—all the time. I say sometimes people speak in full sentences, so I use both. What’s the right balance? Assuming two native speakers.
Sincerely,
Bill
Click here to read the answer...re: The Perils of Swapping Slang
posted 3/5/10Dear Editor…
Often it seems that dialogue can get choppy and sound too contrived. How do you establish a more natural conversation, especially when writing with a teen voice and vocabulary?
Sincerely,
Anna
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