Quote:
Originally Posted by kcmay
One of my favorite science fiction stories was Santiago by Mike Resnick. It's almost all dialog. Personally, I love dialog. I use a lot of it, too, but many readers like visuals: knowing what the room looks like, for instance. Something to keep in mind.
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I've always found the rule of three useful in that kind of situation. Three standout objects, observations or senses (or a combination).
Quote:
Dr. Frule's study was thick with leather bound books (1 - object). It was if the very air itself were infused with a leather smell (2 - sense). It reminded Jonathan of the interior of a Bentley he'd once chauffered for a rich Toff in Knighstbridge.(3 - observation).
Where there were books there was suddenly a door and voice.
"Good Morning to you, Jonathan. And I hope the morning finds you in full health?" Langley Cavendish was head to toe a throwback from some other age.
And age when Britannia ruled the waves, men opened doors for ladies, and sexual frenzies were triggered by the showing of an ankle. (three observations).
"Morning, Sir," Jonathan said.
"No need for the Sir, Jonathan, come, sit with me and let us discuss the adventure that this day may bring to us both..."
Langley poured himself into a lover's seat.....
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And you see how it can go on from there.
