We all have distractions in our lives and it’s these distractions that can provide the raw material for story telling. Sometimes we think that the one thing we need to change to find more time to write is the thing that’s wasting our time and preventing us becoming better writers.
But what makes us better writers is not time management, although that helps. What works is the simple act of listening and observing. Because that’s the only thing that can bring authenticity to the characters and worlds you are creating. One of the things most new writers struggle with is believable dialogue. Yet this is a skill that can be sharpened by simply listening to how people put words together in real life.
The spoken word is a funny, wonderful, slippery and amusing thing. It doesn’t always conform to the rules of the page. Grammar is not compulsory. Don’t believe me? Be a gentle spy. Next time you’re out and about, listen to the conversations around you. Listen and learn.
So pay attention. Notice the details in your world and travels, because the fictional world you are creating needs to be grounded in the reality. Even the best sci-fi may have outlandish world design but if it’s great, there real and believable characters with voices that are authentic.
What do you need to change in your life to become a better writer?
Leave a comment below and join the conversation.
mike dancy says
November 22, 2013 at 10:40 pmAgreed 100%. Listening to the flow of a conversation so that you can emulate it is vital. A smooth flowing conversation makes a story more believable and enjoyable.
Thanks for the post.
Geoff Hughes says
November 25, 2013 at 11:31 pmIt’s easy to write believable dialog if we just open our ears to the language people use in real life.
John says
November 29, 2013 at 10:48 amI really appreciate your advice and it is something I agree with very much but have never actually known how to improve the work myself. Thanks very much for the advice, I will give it a try.