Dialogue: More or less?

[Sola Osofisan]

How much of dialogue do you let loose in your story? Are you skimpy or generous with it? Some say it gets the action going, blood flowing. Some swear less dialogue is boring...

[African_love]

I like dialogue, I like the interaction between characters. What I don't like is when authors get overly descriptive and start babbling on, "poetically" of course, about the physical environment or the character's personality or outlook. I'm not sure how to explain. Just stick to the damn story. This is why a lot of children's books are more interesting, the authors aren't as concerned with coming off as "intellectual".

[Sola Osofisan]

I like dialogue, I like the interaction between characters. What I don't like is when authors get overly descriptive and start babbling on, "poetically" of course, about the physical environment or the character's personality or outlook. I'm not sure how to explain. Just stick to the damn story. This is why a lot of children's books are more interesting, the authors aren't as concerned with coming off as "intellectual".
I love that "poetic babbling" a lot. For me, its the beauty of language being manipulated to create a visual tapestry. If you do it well, it shouldn't get in the way of the story, and there is a special joy in that for me. Something has to take a story beyond the commonplace, the everyday. Something has to take a story beyond your usual feature in the NYT or yesterday's local paper. I mean what story can you create today that reality as reported by the dailies can't trounce? I'm not writing for children, neither am I writing for everyone. I'm only interested in the few capable of taking pleasure in the web I weave. I want you to exercise a few brain cells as you read my stories. It doesn't get in the way of my dialogue one bit, neither does it stop my story from flowing.

PS: Of course you should let the story and characters determine their own language, above all. You wouldn't force "poetic babbling" on ill-fitting stories.

[petojee]

Sola Osofisan: "I'm not writing for children, neither am I writing for everyone. I'm only interested in the few capable of taking pleasure in the web I weave. I want you to exercise a few brain cells as you read my stories".

Mr. Osofisan,
Your views here appear too closeted. One hopes it does not encroach into your work as an Editor/Administrator here. If it does, liberal writers would not find outlets on this website.

[Sola Osofisan]

Mr. Osofisan,
Your views here appear too closeted. One hopes it does not encroach into your work as an Editor/Administrator here. If it does, liberal writers would not find outlets on this website.But they are MINE. Isn't that what makes us human? (Strange though, you didn't think calling poetic writing "babbling" is closeted). I shouldn't have to make excuses for thinking a story or poem should challenge the reader...

As to those you call "liberal writers" - it is just a label, friend. The materials published on this website speak for themselves in their diversity. I don't have to defend them. I am daily surprised by the quality of work going on out there, and I am humbled by the commitment.

Finally, this site has never pretended to be a catch-all kind of place. We just publish what we can, that's all...What fits. You can't do more than that...:D

PS on the topic: I just concluded a 6000 word short, and it is heavy on dialogue. At the end of the day, the story and characters decide for me...

[petojee]

But they are MINE. Isn't that what makes us human? (Strange though, you didn't think calling poetic writing "babbling" is closeted). I shouldn't have to make excuses for thinking a story or poem should challenge the reader...

As to those you call "liberal writers" - it is just a label, friend. The materials published on this website speak for themselves in their diversity. I don't have to defend them. I am daily surprised by the quality of work going on out there, and I am humbled by the commitment.

Finally, this site has never pretended to be a catch-all kind of place. We just publish what we can, that's all...What fits. You can't do more than that...:D

PS on the topic: I just concluded a 6000 word short, and it is heavy on dialogue. At the end of the day, the story and characters decide for me...

The materials that appear here are mostly reflective of the Lagos/Ibadan/Ife Literary Fraternity. It is glaring to the discerning:D

[Sola Osofisan]

The materials that appear here are mostly reflective of the Lagos/Ibadan/Ife Literary Fraternity. It is glaring to the discerning:DIt is possible that the "discerning" are not as discerning as they think. Have them look closer, seriously! :D

No apologies from here for what's upfront though, wherever it comes from. The invitation is open to everyone web savvy enough to shoot an email.

Now, stop diverting the thread and answer the question posed:
How much of dialogue do you let loose in your story? Are you skimpy or generous with it? Some say it gets the action going, blood flowing. Some swear less dialogue is boring......As it relates to your poetry, I guess...

[petojee]

...As it relates to your poetry, I guess...

:confused::confused::confused::confused:

[Sola Osofisan]

Na wetin? You think your identity is such a mystery? Abeg ansa the question jo!
:)

[petojee]

Na wetin? You think your identity is such a mystery? Abeg ansa the question jo!
:)

:o:(:D oh! I don't know him from Adam, honestly.

[Sola Osofisan]

:o:(:D oh! I don't know him from Adam, honestly.Laya laya pant on faya! I will believe you in my next life.

[Kabura Zakama]

Huh???

[Kabura Zakama]

I love dialogue and I never get enough of it! But seriously, a dailogue-less story won't appeal to me and as it has ben said here, some bits of poetic 'babbling' is also good! I write poems, but if I was to write a short story it will be full of dialogue.

So my answer is I want more of dialogue!