Dialogue Question - Writers Forum

bLuE_MoOn · 08-23-2005, 01:21 AM

OK this question might sound a bit strange but im having trouble with this.

Whats a good way to write a phone conversation? How can i make the reader know its a phone call without going throught he whole he answered the phone thing. I want to start the story with this.

Im confused a bit. Is there a good example somewhere i can look at? Anyone know of any good ones?

Thanks in advance
-Kelly

Quack Corleone · 08-23-2005, 01:31 AM

You could imply the phone conversation through the content ("How's the weather in Vancouver, anyway?"), slip it in without drawing attention to it (He tapped the receiver against his head seven times before answering, "I am calm!") or surprise the reader with that bit of information at the end ("I hate you," she screamed, slamming the phone receiver so hard that it shattered.)

bLuE_MoOn · 08-23-2005, 03:08 AM

LoL dont worry you wont have to force me ..those ideas are awesome thanks so much. I love the idea of not showing its a phone conversation until the end...im gonna go away and write this right now ....thanks again.

Saponification · 08-23-2005, 03:11 AM

Read Vernon God Little. The phone conversations just seem like normal dialogue and it's only a little later you realise they're not talking in person.

You could also give some clues. Have a character fiddle with the cord, for example, twirling it around their fingers.

Anarkos · 08-26-2005, 07:30 AM

Read the introduction of Iain M. Banks' The Business.

Quote:

'No! That'sh what I'm calling about! Tokyo!'
'What? What about Tokyo?'
'I can't go!'
'What do you mean? Why not? You have to go.'
'But I can't!'
'Calm down.'
'How can I be fucking calm? Shome fuckersh taken out half my teesh!'
'Say that again?'
'I shaid shome fuckersh taken out half my fucking teesh!'
'Is this some sort of joke? Who the hell is this?'
'It'sh me, for Chrisht'sh shake! It'sh Mike Danielsh!'
'It doesn't sound like the Mike Daniels I know.'
'Of courshe not! I've had half my teesh taken out! Fuck'sh shake, Kate, wake up!'

http://www.booklore.co.uk/PastReview...ssPrologue.htm