Why I love this doctorate #34587

Today is all about balancing narrative. Some types of novels require madly long conversation, full of details that bring the characters to life. Some require less long conversation, with the focus on plot advancement. Some require almost no conversation at all. My task of the moment is to play with conversation in narrative and to learn the difference.

Is an aspect of a character really so important that the pace has to change, or should that aspect be reduced to a few pat words, or can it fade entirely? How does dialogue affect the rhythm of the novel and how does the rhythm of the dialogue affect how we read the novel?

This morning I'm learning through playing with one style of narrative. This one is dialogue rich and not very rapid (like Life through Cellophane) and I'm noticing distinct changes in tension by focussing the dialogue a tiny bit more precisely, in key paces.

This afternoon I start doing the same thing with my time travel novel.

Chanukah - last chance to demand pressies

It's just over a day before I light my first candle. That means it's just under a day before I cut up names for the very sparkly sorting hats. If you've been cautious about coming forth and declaring your undying love for George Gissing or your need to read Life through Cellophane, be cautious no more! The list of presents is here and only one of them is oversubscribed... http://gillpolack.livejournal.com/893338.html