Comments on: Learning to Write XXIX http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xxix/ Reflections of a working writer and reader Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:23:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: freelance writer http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xxix/comment-page-1/#comment-110219 freelance writer Sat, 22 Nov 2008 04:03:44 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xxix/#comment-110219 That's actually quite fascinating. I've never even noticed that before. But you're right. If I listened to a foreigner speak, I wouldn't write down his words with an accent unless I was making a conscious attempt to do so. I am currently involved in only writing nonfiction at this time. But this concept makes me want to experiment with writing dialogue. Thanks for the interesting insight. Kelli Workman <strong>jb says</strong>: Hi Kelli. You're welcome. I love that feeling, when you discover something that you didn't know you knew. That’s actually quite fascinating. I’ve never even noticed that before. But you’re right. If I listened to a foreigner speak, I wouldn’t write down his words with an accent unless I was making a conscious attempt to do so. I am currently involved in only writing nonfiction at this time. But this concept makes me want to experiment with writing dialogue.

Thanks for the interesting insight.

Kelli Workman

jb says: Hi Kelli. You’re welcome. I love that feeling, when you discover something that you didn’t know you knew.

]]> By: TheWeeJenny http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xxix/comment-page-1/#comment-79520 TheWeeJenny Mon, 14 May 2007 20:46:59 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xxix/#comment-79520 This post reminded me of something I read in a writers journal almost ten years ago, I can't remember the exact wording but it went something like "syntax can be as individual as a fingerprint." That always stuck with me because it rings so true. <strong>jb says</strong>: Thanks for underlining the point, Jenny. This post reminded me of something I read in a writers journal almost ten years ago, I can’t remember the exact wording but it went something like “syntax can be as individual as a fingerprint.” That always stuck with me because it rings so true.

jb says: Thanks for underlining the point, Jenny.

]]> By: Jerry Prager http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xxix/comment-page-1/#comment-77847 Jerry Prager Thu, 10 May 2007 12:56:53 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xxix/#comment-77847 well, I mean technically, I guess, well I mean no, not really, but um, you know, like I um ... I judge things of course, you know know, stuff and well, I have judgment, but I don't um, well I don't get paid for... you know, being a judge. <strong>jb says</strong>: I thought so. well, I mean technically, I guess, well I mean no, not really, but um, you know, like I um … I judge things of course, you know know, stuff and well, I have judgment, but I don’t um, well I don’t get paid for… you know, being a judge.

jb says: I thought so.

]]> By: Jerry Prager http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xxix/comment-page-1/#comment-77475 Jerry Prager Wed, 09 May 2007 14:08:01 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xxix/#comment-77475 Actually, one of the simplest places to see the difference between real speech and dialogue is in a court transcription. They go something like "well yeah, I was, um.. Actually the thing that got my attention was...um... the way, you know...The colour I guess, hmm, yeah, I think - you know given the way I was standing, and um, he was - well over there by the window, or the door window I mean, um, the colour... um...yeah, the colour." Pages and pages of people talking in fits and starts and dashes off to the side and back to the beginning to pick up something that was forgotten. <strong>jb says</strong>: Hi Jerry. So that's why judges get paid so much. Um, er, but like, erm, you're, well I mean, you're not a judge, are you, Jerry? Actually, one of the simplest places to see the difference between real speech and dialogue is in a court transcription. They go something like
“well yeah, I was, um.. Actually the thing that got my attention was…um… the way, you know…The colour I guess, hmm, yeah, I think – you know given the way I was standing, and um, he was – well over there by the window, or the door window I mean, um, the colour… um…yeah, the colour.”
Pages and pages of people talking in fits and starts and dashes off to the side and back to the beginning to pick up something that was forgotten.

jb says: Hi Jerry. So that’s why judges get paid so much. Um, er, but like, erm, you’re, well I mean, you’re not a judge, are you, Jerry?

]]> By: trevor johnson http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xxix/comment-page-1/#comment-76862 trevor johnson Tue, 08 May 2007 11:25:50 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xxix/#comment-76862 John, I know you're not familiar with the novel, but the best example that comes to mind is Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces, probably because it's one of my favorite books. It's set in New Orleans, in the late 60's, and the vernacular is excellent. John, I know you’re not familiar with the novel, but the best example that comes to mind is Toole’s A Confederacy of Dunces, probably because it’s one of my favorite books. It’s set in New Orleans, in the late 60’s, and the vernacular is excellent.

]]> By: Eli James http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xxix/comment-page-1/#comment-76611 Eli James Tue, 08 May 2007 01:17:07 +0000 http://johnbakersblog.co.uk/learning-to-write-xxix/#comment-76611 Hear hear, John. Dialogue is quite different from conversation. Now, do you consider my comment are your response to it a conversation or a dialogue? ;P <strong>jb says</strong>: Hi Eli. I don't mind what you want you want to call it. If we were sitting together talking rather than sitting apart writing, the written transcripts would be quite different. Hear hear, John. Dialogue is quite different from conversation. Now, do you consider my comment are your response to it a conversation or a dialogue? ;P

jb says: Hi Eli. I don’t mind what you want you want to call it. If we were sitting together talking rather than sitting apart writing, the written transcripts would be quite different.

]]>