Tracking multiple characters in conversation

CrescentMoon · Post by **CrescentMoon** » 29 May 2014, 19:49

I have read some books where the author was successfully able to pull that off. I think it works especially well when the characters have completely different personalities. Or if you have read far enough into the book that you know what a character usually says and does and it is easy to figure out who is saying what.

Katherine E Wall · Post by **Katherine E Wall** » 02 Jun 2014, 04:31

I would like to point out, if you read Modern Times' examples, each character has an unique voice and cadence. I am sure, that it would not take long before the reader would recognize the speech patterns of characters even without dialogue tags or action beats.

It is obvious you work hard on your writing, MT, and I hope this third book lands you a good agent and an excellent publishing deal. From the samples I have read here and on Amazon, in my opinion your style is better than Robert Galbraith's. I was unable to get into his (ahem her) book. I will be back to Amazon to pick up your first two books soon.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 02 Jun 2014, 10:33

Many thanks, KEW! And yes, I'll appreciate any sales you can throw my way, even the very inexpensive Kindle price.

I have a policy that should anyone have the trade paperback version of my books, PM me and I'll give an address, send the book to me and I'll autograph it, cover the mailing costs for the return. Least I can do.

After you've read my book(s) I'd really appreciate some feedback regardless.

Right now, 3rd novel is complete, I've revised and tweaked it throughly, proofread too, so I'm now doing the agent search thing. Wish me luck.

And yes, I work very hard on maintaining individual "voice" for each character, including sentence structure, slang or no slang, type of slang, word choice, all sorts of things. I think that I owe it to my readers to give them the best I can, and the new 3rd novel is pretty good on that aspect. At least I hope so.

Thanks again.

Katherine E Wall · Post by **Katherine E Wall** » 02 Jun 2014, 10:51

Thanks for the offer of the autographed books, MT. For now, I will be picking up the e-book versions, probably from amazon.ca. They will be perfect to take camping, and my husband gave me the Kindle to prevent overloading the truck with so many books.

ETA: And yes, I will get back to you with some feedback when I am done reading.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 02 Jun 2014, 10:57

Ebook is fine! Enjoy them and please let me know your thoughts on the stories -- good and bad. Thanks again.

FNAWrite · Post by **FNAWrite** » 02 Jun 2014, 15:59

moderntimes,

You are mistaken about nuns in the US and Vatican II. The wearing of habits by nuns was predominant at least through t the 60s and AFAIK well into the 70s.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 02 Jun 2014, 18:28

Thanks for the info. I may tweak the story accordingly.

Katherine E Wall · Post by **Katherine E Wall** » 02 Jun 2014, 23:52

moderntimes wrote:Thanks for the info. I may tweak the story accordingly.

This might help some.

http://orbiscatholicus.blogspot.ca/2008 ... habit.html

And this:

http://nunsandsisters.wordpress.com/201 ... ad-choice/

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 03 Jun 2014, 09:56

I made a small change to the dialogue, now it reads:

“You watch too much TV, Tom, and movies,” I told him. “Nuns in the US haven’t resembled penguins for years. Started during Vatican Two in, ah…” I drew a momentary blank.

And that's the extent of it. As a secondary character, the nun isn't critical to the story line nor is the Roman Catholic church a big factor either. Were this an extensive pass into either I'd do deeper research but the single item of the nun not wearing a coif is the only element here. Thanks!

FNAWrite · Post by **FNAWrite** » 03 Jun 2014, 10:30

"the single item of the nun not wearing a coif is the only element here"

So you are okay with just making some factual misstatements? It's fiction right?

It's not about the nun or the church. It's about saying to the audience 'This is how it was.' when it wasn't.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 03 Jun 2014, 11:56

You obviously have a specific issue here, as both references you post are anti re. nuns now not wearing coifs or other similar garb.

Fact remains, regardless of "good" or not, many nuns do not wear the headdress any more. The nun in question in my story doesn't. I've seen quite a few nuns (met them in some religious conferences -- I'm a fairly steady Episcopalian and have attended as a layperson) and some wear full traditional garb, and some indeed dress like a more conservative Dana Scully.

I have zero agenda here. There are no "factual misstatements" and I'm simply describing the mode of dress of ONE nun and I'm not judging whether it's good or bad for her to dress that way. Only that she does not wear traditional garb. She's a professor anyway and not "practicing" in her faith as would a nun who was instead performing tasks per traditional roles. It's clear that his particular nun has "jumped the tracks" a bit but that happens. I however restrain any comment on the merits (or not) of that action.

Hey, it's a plot point upon which to hang a humorous conversation. I couldn't care less what garb nuns wear and frankly think it has little to do with their mission.

Katherine E Wall · Post by **Katherine E Wall** » 03 Jun 2014, 15:48

moderntimes wrote:You obviously have a specific issue here, as both references you post are anti re. nuns now not wearing coifs or other similar garb.

I posted the references, and they were to show that the changes were rooted in Vatican II, at least to a degree. I wasn't trying to illustrate the negative attitude to the change, just some of the historical elements. These were just a couple I had in my research folder.

I think the way you made the change was appropriate, and after all, the characters are laymen, not church scholars, so they would carry the standard thought that it began in Vatican II.

I am sorry if my references muddied the waters some.