Has everyone had a nice break this past week?  I just want to remind you all to finish reading Bleak House, sign up on the young writers website, and begin writing your story/play/poems.  We'll meet on Tuesday at my house (2103 Foxtail Dr, Layton) from 1:00-3 or 4 to discuss Bleak House and to have a kick off for our writing.  Bring a laptop if you have one.  It's going to be super fun!

Week of October 12

This week:

Read Bleak House chapters 47-55.
Read and comment on the dialogue assignments on the blog.
Fill out your world building pages and draw a map of a place in your story.
Using the link Felicity (Lacy Smetzer) provided, sign up for nanowrimo and set a word goal for how much you'll write in the month of November.

On Friday, we'll talk about outlining your plot for your novella, so bring your plot brainstorming pages from a couple of weeks ago.

Finally, we settled on November 3 from 1-3ish to have a writing kick-off and the last discussion on Bleak House.  Everyone double check your calendars and let me know for sure that that will work for you.  We can also plan another writing marathon later in November if that's fun for you guys.  Thanks!

Young Writers website

ywp.nanowrimo.org

Go get signed up! :)

I dig my toe awkwardly in the dirt.  “So, ummm, I’m sorry about your mother.”

“Yeah, well, not as sorry as I am.”

“What, it’s a competition now?”

“I didn’t mean that.”

“Well then, what did you mean?”

“Nothing.”

“You must have meant something,” the sarcasm is streaming from my mouth, beyond my control. “Why can’t you just let me say something nice to you?”

“Oh, like how you’re being so nice right now?” Since when did she get to be the sarcastic one in this relationship?

“Just what, exactly, is wrong with you?  Why can’t you just let me be your friend?”

“I just….don’t know.  I don’t know, all right?  I don’t know how to be anything anymore.  My mother didn’t die alone.  She took the Elissa you know with her,” Elissa’s voice began to crack.  “I’m not myself any more, and I’m no good to you or anyone else.”

And suddenly I simply wasn’t frustrated any more.  It didn’t matter that she’d been avoiding me or that she was cranky with me. I just pulled her close to me, holding her tight, letting her sob away all the garbage she’d been holding inside during the weeks since her mother’s death.  How could I have been so quick to be impatient when she needed me most?  Well, I would be there for her now, no matter how prickly she was on the outside.

Dialog that could be from my book

James liked his special training. He could already feel himself getting stronger. His reflexes were getting faster. All in all he thought he was doing well. He saw Prince William approaching.
"Your getting better James," William said. "You should be sufficiently trained in no time!"
"I hope so," James replied. "I don't want to be stuck here forever."
"Am I not a good friend James?"
"Of coarse you are!"
"Well than enjoy the time you have with me while you can," William laughed. "You going to miss me when your gone. Haha!.
"When I'm gone?" James said. "To me it still seems like a big if."
"Have a little confidence in your self my friend!."
"I don't have a choice," James points out. "My family is here as well. If it was just me I would be more relaxed."
"Well, I have no doubt you will be fine"

Dialogue for Film (Cinderella)

(BTW, sorry if this doesn't make any sense! The way that movie scripts are writing is a little weird, just ignore any abbreviations - I'm trying to write in the way I'm supposed to! ;) And if you're familiar how movie scripts are written, this isn't perfect, either! I'm still learning! I like feedback! And if you have a name for the Prince besides Charles, let me know. It's set in the Victorian Era...)

EXT. WOODS ROAD - DAY

ELLA and CHARLES walk side by side. ELLA has a basket on her arm.

CHARLES

And you still haven't told me your name yet. Why so mysterious?

ELLA smiles.

ELLA

And I could ask you the same question. I still don't even know your name.

CHARLES

Guess who I am.

CHARLES smiles, ELLA laughs.

ELLA

Guess?

CHARLES

Yes! By my mannerisms, the way I walk, talk, the way I dress.

ELLA

I will... after you guess about me.This is something I'd like to hear.

They both smile.

CHARLES

I don't know what to think of you!

ELLA laughs

CHARLES (CONT'D)

Well, it's true! You look like a peasant, a servant even! But your mannerisms are so noble. You walk like a princess, and act like one. But you seem to always be doing servitude as if you were a servant!

CHARLES laughs.

CHARLES (CONT'D)

And that is what I don't understand.

They walk in silence for a few seconds. CHARLES smiles.

CHARLES (CONT'D)

And what about I?

ELLA smiles, thinking.

ELLA

I may say the same about you!

CHARLES laughs.

ELLA (CONT'D)

Well, it's true! You act and look like you could be living in the palace! But you dress the same as I. Except not quite as dirty.

They smile.

CHARLES

When will you tell me?

ELLA

Soon... I hope.

I found a short story by Brandon Sanderson that is entirely dialogue. I just thought it was a funny story, and a great example of the power of dialogue: http://brandonsanderson.com/i-hate-dragons/