Writing Dialogue in Memoir and Fiction
When writing dialogue, it is important for the author to capture the voice of the character. We can hear a person’s speech in our minds. When I think of my sister talking, I hear her voice as well as her words. One way to create a character’s voice, is to listen carefully. If you are writing memoir, you can use the voice memory for a parent or sibling. If you are writing a novel, it is important to create the voice of your character, so that it is unique from other characters.
Dialogue initiated by a male is different compared to females. This is generalizing of course, but does the male say things that refer more to solutions and the female say things that are more inclusive. If you want, develop a voice that is more clipped, or maybe a voice that runs on, hemming and hawing.
One of the characters in “Celia’s Heaven” drops the “g” on words that end in “ing.” She calls Celia, Sugar, and offers her friend emotional advice. Another character may use cliches frequently. Another might quote historical facts, or sports memorabilia.
If you know the person you are writing about, you can craft as carefully as possible the words your remember that person saying. Don’t remember exactly what they said–that is okay too. In memoir, it is nearly impossible to remember exact wording, but we usually know the jest of what someone said. Also, we can use techniques to fill in dialogue, such as: I don’t remember exactly what he said, but his meaning sticks with me still. He was clear about being in charge of me and was telling me to stop arguing with him.
A good practice for writing dialogue to to eavesdrop at a coffee shop. I used to do this frequently and was surprised by what people said. Sometimes they told stories with a lot of “you knows” peppering their lines. Sometimes conversations were one-sided. Sometimes, a character sounded like a valley girl. Some people speak gruffly or indignantly.
If you are interested in writing a book, consider looking into The Narrative Project 9-Month Program: Get Your Book Done! I work as a writing coach in the program, helping writers plot their stories, edit, and use writing techniques to come up with more story. Here is the link to learn more about GYBD 2021 https://www.thenarrativeproject.net/
Also, if you are interested in attending my virtual book launch, sign up at https://www.villagebooks.com/event/litlive-nancy-canyon-091920 There will be a lively conversation between Cami Ostman and me about “Celia’s Heaven.” I will also read from “Celia’s Heaven.” If you are interested in purchasing the book, you can do so where you sign up for the Virtual Launch. Also, you can message me and purchase a book directly: https://www.facebook.com/ncanyon/
Nancy Canyon’s poetry and prose is published in Take a Stand: Art Against Hate, Last Call, Nature’s Healing Spirit, Ice Cream Poems, Songs of Ourselves, Raven Chronicles, Water~Stone Review, Fourth Genre, Exhibition, Main Street Rag, Floating Bridge Review, Clover: A Literary Rag, and more. She holds the MFA in Creative Writing from Pacific Lutheran University, a Certificate in Fiction from UW, and studied with Natalie Goldberg in Taos, NM in 1997. Canyon works as a writing coach for The Narrative Project and as a visual artist in Historic Fairhaven, a quaint village overlooking Bellingham Bay. She lives near Lake Whatcom with husband Ron, Olive the dog, and Sid the tuxedo cat. “Saltwater” (poetry) and “Celia’s Heaven (novel) is available at www.villagebooks.com
