David Carraturo's Blog - Posts Tagged "catchy-dialogue"
How to create great dialogue and character development
I have had some great reviews of the Columbus Avenue Boys trilogy. With the recent release of CAMERON’S QUEST, the third part of the story, I wanted to take time to provide some insight into my three main characters, Chris Cameron, Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese. What has been nice feedback from reviewers has been the overwhelming opinion that the characters are authentic, fill the page, feel real, and the dialogue is engaging.
I have to admit, the Columbus Avenue Boys are MY BOYS. I loved writing about them so much – that heck…I wrote three stories about different parts of their fictional lives.
Or was it really made up? Were they fictional? Hmmmm.
Character development and realistic dialogue are my writing forte. I have read many novels over the year and the glaring annoyance of mine is that when I read contrived, out of place dialogue or traits, it sets me off. As such, I have gone to great lengths to give a heartbeat to my people.
Taking the best, worst, intriguing aspects of you, your family, friends, acquaintances and co-workers is what I do. If you are in my path when I am in the zone of writing, most likely your quirks, traits, comments, appearances, etc. will make it into my story – and if lucky---into the entire trilogy. To add length and depth to characters – combine these people in your life to make one super cocktail or multiple memorable pro/antagonists or supporting cast.
Chris Cameron, my antagonist is for all intents and purposes…I am him or he is ME. No, I am not a high caliber, division one athlete who was top of the class and who eventually became a billionaire, hedge fund manager who won the World Series of Poker and then became the greatest president – ever. But, all the traits of Chris are what I am, and I simply extrapolated out my dreams, ambitions, etc. I played football in college – but division three, back in the early 1980s. So, I lived vicariously through Chris. I played in the World Series of Poker in 2006 but lost after four levels – (curse you pocket Aces!). I used this experience to play out the entire first section of my debut novel, CAMERON NATION. The mannerisms, dialogue, gestures of poker players were blended into the story. David Einhorn, a famous hedge fund manager played in the event. His experience inspired a development of Chris Cameron. Einhorn wore a t-shirt with the hand prints of his children and he donated his winnings to charity (a huge part of my character!!!)
Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese are twin like behemoths. Giantsized-supersized bruisers and organized crime enforcers, nevertheless, I had to make them unique. Heck, my wedding party supplied most of what I needed to tap into (as well as the profile of a few acquaintances from my town that are now in the slammer for murder or dead). Sal has many of the same traits, angst and mannerisms of my best friend-Craig Esposito. A singer, with a passion for cooking, family angst as a kid defined his personality. My other buddy Gary-walks around with eighteen inch biceps and drove a 1973 Cadillac when we were teenagers –very easy to incorporate into a nostalgic 1980s storyline. Many days of ours were spent lifting weights at a musclehead gym.
Tony Albanese may make you poop in your pants if he was to come near you on a shadowy street, but he is really a fun loving great guy. Emotional to the core, Tony was taken from my cousin who cries at almost every event – funeral, wedding, ribbon cutting ceremony, you get the picture. I love this type of emotion. I had to add the terrifying appearance of my other teddy bear buddy Joe V to the mix and the ferocious temper of my other giant friend, Jamie as well to round him out.
Dialogue from events in your life can lead to great moments in a story and make a character tug at your heart. In 1995, my wife and I went to Las Vegas for our one-year anniversary. I was playing poker one day and sat next to an elderly gentleman. The guy was hunched over and never spoke as he played. As he was scooping in chips against a 20-something drunk guy, the 20-something said “old man, you’re kicking my ass!” Without skipping abeat, the old man said “I haven’t even started kicking your ass yet.” Boom, this fun moment was put in the memory bank for seventeen years before written as an early line for my Vincent Scala character.
I hope this helps with your characters. If you want to see how my Columbus Avenue Boys come to life, check out my work.
https://www.amazon.com/David-Carratur...
I have to admit, the Columbus Avenue Boys are MY BOYS. I loved writing about them so much – that heck…I wrote three stories about different parts of their fictional lives.
Or was it really made up? Were they fictional? Hmmmm.
Character development and realistic dialogue are my writing forte. I have read many novels over the year and the glaring annoyance of mine is that when I read contrived, out of place dialogue or traits, it sets me off. As such, I have gone to great lengths to give a heartbeat to my people.
Taking the best, worst, intriguing aspects of you, your family, friends, acquaintances and co-workers is what I do. If you are in my path when I am in the zone of writing, most likely your quirks, traits, comments, appearances, etc. will make it into my story – and if lucky---into the entire trilogy. To add length and depth to characters – combine these people in your life to make one super cocktail or multiple memorable pro/antagonists or supporting cast.
Chris Cameron, my antagonist is for all intents and purposes…I am him or he is ME. No, I am not a high caliber, division one athlete who was top of the class and who eventually became a billionaire, hedge fund manager who won the World Series of Poker and then became the greatest president – ever. But, all the traits of Chris are what I am, and I simply extrapolated out my dreams, ambitions, etc. I played football in college – but division three, back in the early 1980s. So, I lived vicariously through Chris. I played in the World Series of Poker in 2006 but lost after four levels – (curse you pocket Aces!). I used this experience to play out the entire first section of my debut novel, CAMERON NATION. The mannerisms, dialogue, gestures of poker players were blended into the story. David Einhorn, a famous hedge fund manager played in the event. His experience inspired a development of Chris Cameron. Einhorn wore a t-shirt with the hand prints of his children and he donated his winnings to charity (a huge part of my character!!!)
Sal Esposito and Tony Albanese are twin like behemoths. Giantsized-supersized bruisers and organized crime enforcers, nevertheless, I had to make them unique. Heck, my wedding party supplied most of what I needed to tap into (as well as the profile of a few acquaintances from my town that are now in the slammer for murder or dead). Sal has many of the same traits, angst and mannerisms of my best friend-Craig Esposito. A singer, with a passion for cooking, family angst as a kid defined his personality. My other buddy Gary-walks around with eighteen inch biceps and drove a 1973 Cadillac when we were teenagers –very easy to incorporate into a nostalgic 1980s storyline. Many days of ours were spent lifting weights at a musclehead gym.
Tony Albanese may make you poop in your pants if he was to come near you on a shadowy street, but he is really a fun loving great guy. Emotional to the core, Tony was taken from my cousin who cries at almost every event – funeral, wedding, ribbon cutting ceremony, you get the picture. I love this type of emotion. I had to add the terrifying appearance of my other teddy bear buddy Joe V to the mix and the ferocious temper of my other giant friend, Jamie as well to round him out.
Dialogue from events in your life can lead to great moments in a story and make a character tug at your heart. In 1995, my wife and I went to Las Vegas for our one-year anniversary. I was playing poker one day and sat next to an elderly gentleman. The guy was hunched over and never spoke as he played. As he was scooping in chips against a 20-something drunk guy, the 20-something said “old man, you’re kicking my ass!” Without skipping abeat, the old man said “I haven’t even started kicking your ass yet.” Boom, this fun moment was put in the memory bank for seventeen years before written as an early line for my Vincent Scala character.
I hope this helps with your characters. If you want to see how my Columbus Avenue Boys come to life, check out my work.
https://www.amazon.com/David-Carratur...
Exerpt from Cameron's Quest - a real life moment.
Below is an excerpt from Cameron' Quest. This section is a good snapshot of my writing style for the entire Columbus Avenue Boys trilogy. If you read to its end, you will probably have some moisture forming in your eyes - (it is not dust). And, the remedy will probably be to click the link and buy the book---books.....
MAY 7, 1987
Chris could not hold back his excitement. On any other day, he would saunter back to his apartment after a late afternoon workout. Not today, he was bouncing with energy and needed to share his euphoria. He had busted his ass, and for the first time had earned A’s for all of his classes. After a killer weight session of squats, and dead lifts, he spoke with his political science professor. He needed to pull high marks on the final exam and term paper to push his grade from B+ to an A. The professor praised his paper as one of the finest she had read during her seven years at UT.
The thesis was focused on the Great Depression. Chris had supported his contention that the big government policies of President Hoover and continued with more draconian measures by President Roosevelt had prolonged the misery. If not for the build-up of the military related to World War Two, the United States economy may have not recovered to the war production level. His analysis highlighted the New Deal as a failure. The unemployment rate rose from 14% to 19%, and the public works programs accomplished little of significance. This big government spending strategy was implemented via the recommendation of British economist John Maynard Keynes to lift the country out of its economic doldrums. His research disproved Keynesian economic policy and trumpeted supply-side economic policy as more effective in turning the country around following the 1920-1921 depression. President Harding had cut personal income taxes and reduced federal government spending. After Harding’s death, President Coolidge continued on this course, and the Roaring Twenties brought along a period of prosperity. His conclusion re-emphasized the argument with sound examples of the current success of Reaganomics supply-side doctrine.
Taking the stairs three at a time, Chris was sweating profusely. Breathing heavily, he opened the door of the apartment to the sound of a CNN anchor parroting the breaking news of presidential candidate, Gary Hart’s higher office ambitions crumbling. Mr. Hart’s love affair with Donna Rice aboard the yacht Money Business had been exposed.
“This crap’s been in the news for days. Doesn’t CNN have anything better to report on?” Chris derided the report as he walked to the kitchenette and the refrigerator full of beer. Sitting on opposite ends of the couch, Ron and J.R. had remained silent and did not respond to his current events banter. J.R. stood and clicked the television off.
“Hey, turn on Cheers. I hear Sam’s going to ask Diane to marry him tonight,” Chris howled.
J.R. somberly called out, “Yo CeeJay, sit.”
“Dudes, get ready to party tonight; my first 4.0 for a semester!” Ignoring the sedateness, Chris took a sip from a cold Shiner Bock, clicked the TV set back on and changed the channel to NBC before plopping in the recliner adjacent to his roommates.
“CeeJay, your mom called. I took the message while you were out,” Ron-Ron paused, his eyes were closed and his voice cracked. “Your grandfather had a stroke…sorry buddy…he died an hour ago.”
Not another word was said. Lost in the moment, they collectively sniffled and wiped tears away. Chris had emotionally supported his roommates, for J.R. and his mom’s cancer treatment and last year after Ron’s sister had been injured in a car accident. They came from different worlds but had formed a bond that would never waver.
As the shock of the death of man who Chris had called Grampy as a toddler was being fully processed, happy memories darted through his brain…the image of him as a baby sucking on a bottle while resting on his Grampy’s lap on their plastic-covered couch...a proud old man bundled in a winter jack braving the elements while watching his grandson play a late fall, football game...a black and white wedding photo situated on top of the living room fireplace, oh my God, after fifty two years of marriage how was his grandmother going to survive…a quartet of men happily toasting wine; Joe Cavazzi sharing a moment with his three paisanos.
The apropos lyrics to the introduction of Cheers sung out. Chris placed his face in the palms of his hands. He had to get back to Tuckahoe as fast as he could; Gary Portney was perceptive - Sometimes you wannabe where everybody knows your name.
https://www.amazon.com/Camerons-Quest...
MAY 7, 1987
Chris could not hold back his excitement. On any other day, he would saunter back to his apartment after a late afternoon workout. Not today, he was bouncing with energy and needed to share his euphoria. He had busted his ass, and for the first time had earned A’s for all of his classes. After a killer weight session of squats, and dead lifts, he spoke with his political science professor. He needed to pull high marks on the final exam and term paper to push his grade from B+ to an A. The professor praised his paper as one of the finest she had read during her seven years at UT.
The thesis was focused on the Great Depression. Chris had supported his contention that the big government policies of President Hoover and continued with more draconian measures by President Roosevelt had prolonged the misery. If not for the build-up of the military related to World War Two, the United States economy may have not recovered to the war production level. His analysis highlighted the New Deal as a failure. The unemployment rate rose from 14% to 19%, and the public works programs accomplished little of significance. This big government spending strategy was implemented via the recommendation of British economist John Maynard Keynes to lift the country out of its economic doldrums. His research disproved Keynesian economic policy and trumpeted supply-side economic policy as more effective in turning the country around following the 1920-1921 depression. President Harding had cut personal income taxes and reduced federal government spending. After Harding’s death, President Coolidge continued on this course, and the Roaring Twenties brought along a period of prosperity. His conclusion re-emphasized the argument with sound examples of the current success of Reaganomics supply-side doctrine.
Taking the stairs three at a time, Chris was sweating profusely. Breathing heavily, he opened the door of the apartment to the sound of a CNN anchor parroting the breaking news of presidential candidate, Gary Hart’s higher office ambitions crumbling. Mr. Hart’s love affair with Donna Rice aboard the yacht Money Business had been exposed.
“This crap’s been in the news for days. Doesn’t CNN have anything better to report on?” Chris derided the report as he walked to the kitchenette and the refrigerator full of beer. Sitting on opposite ends of the couch, Ron and J.R. had remained silent and did not respond to his current events banter. J.R. stood and clicked the television off.
“Hey, turn on Cheers. I hear Sam’s going to ask Diane to marry him tonight,” Chris howled.
J.R. somberly called out, “Yo CeeJay, sit.”
“Dudes, get ready to party tonight; my first 4.0 for a semester!” Ignoring the sedateness, Chris took a sip from a cold Shiner Bock, clicked the TV set back on and changed the channel to NBC before plopping in the recliner adjacent to his roommates.
“CeeJay, your mom called. I took the message while you were out,” Ron-Ron paused, his eyes were closed and his voice cracked. “Your grandfather had a stroke…sorry buddy…he died an hour ago.”
Not another word was said. Lost in the moment, they collectively sniffled and wiped tears away. Chris had emotionally supported his roommates, for J.R. and his mom’s cancer treatment and last year after Ron’s sister had been injured in a car accident. They came from different worlds but had formed a bond that would never waver.
As the shock of the death of man who Chris had called Grampy as a toddler was being fully processed, happy memories darted through his brain…the image of him as a baby sucking on a bottle while resting on his Grampy’s lap on their plastic-covered couch...a proud old man bundled in a winter jack braving the elements while watching his grandson play a late fall, football game...a black and white wedding photo situated on top of the living room fireplace, oh my God, after fifty two years of marriage how was his grandmother going to survive…a quartet of men happily toasting wine; Joe Cavazzi sharing a moment with his three paisanos.
The apropos lyrics to the introduction of Cheers sung out. Chris placed his face in the palms of his hands. He had to get back to Tuckahoe as fast as he could; Gary Portney was perceptive - Sometimes you wannabe where everybody knows your name.
https://www.amazon.com/Camerons-Quest...
