Episode 55 - Don't just talk the talk! Squeezing the most out of character interactions

[Andrew]

I'm responding to a listener question in this episode by looking at the issue of character interaction. How can we use it to best effect, and what are some of the factors to bear in mind? Most interaction will be through the medium of dialogue, but there's so much more we can do with a bit of imagination, to help us achieve our objectives across dimensions like character development, story, and voice. So don't just talk the talk, bring all the senses in to play and capture the reader in your noisy, vibrant, pungent, and intense world!

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...

[Rae]

Loved this episode. Dialogue comes easy for me, but showing the other things happening in the room, such as the hospital example or the way you explained how to use silence was helpful. I'm getting better at showing not telling but it still feels unnatural, like a leftie trying to switch hands and use their right hand. Thanks to your advice, it's coming along.

[Andrew]

Hi Rae

As a 'leftie' myself that analogy rings very true!

I remember one writing course I was on when the tutor took us out into the gardens (we were based in a big country house) and we had to exercise our senses, to really pay attention to what we could see and hear and smell. It was a rather stretching exercise because we were all so used to just talking to each other and not paying attention, real attention, to the environment around us.

You know what a fan I am of invoking all of the senses, I just think it's such a powerful element in the writers repertoire.

A

[Rae]

Glad you're a fan of using the senses, it spurs me on for improvement!

[Andrew]

I know you're a sharp enough writer to do this senses stuff Rae ;-)