On Writing: Dialogue format questions.

[ZippyDSMlee]

Anyone want to try and give an idiot a simple explanation for dialog formatting?

This is what I have figured out so far but some like to do an action description before the dialogue on the same line of the dialogue and that?s throwing me off.

Story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff.

?Dialogue, start a new line? she/she/they/it said/says,ect ending with a descriptive action to add depth to dialogue. Story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff.

?Dialogue, start a new line? she/she/they/it said/says,ect ending with a descriptive action to add depth to dialogue.


?New character Dialogue, start a new line? she/she/they/it said/says,ect ending with a descriptive action to add depth to dialogue.


?New character Dialogue, start a new line? she/she/they/it said/says,ect ending with a descriptive action to add depth to dialogue.

If that is the case then would you not merge non new character dialogue together?

Story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff.

?Dialogue, start a new line? she/she/they/it said/says,ect ending with a descriptive action to add depth to dialogue. Story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff story stuff. DO something. ?Dialogue? she/she/they/it said/says,ect ending with a descriptive action to add depth to dialogue. DO something story stuff.

I know I need to merge and simplify dialogue,ect and get some ?tense? issues corrected but it?s better than being a word block at least. LOL

Trying to grasp the format so I won't have to overhaul things again.

An example of the crap I wrote.
===================================================

A floating orb smaller than a human head floats over a plump grumbling man, dressed in jeans, a torn shirt, tattered fedora and trench coat. His blue eyes are distant. His rough hands are working on some sort of circuit panel. Worn fingers paint pathways of light.

?You better hope that damn mold monster doesn?t pop out of this piece of crap life support unit you were up all week hammering together.? Says the orb says humorously in a strong female tone.

?On second thought, since I had to use my last repair drones to fish you off that planet and clean you up, I don?t want to talk about it.?The orb says befor paseuing for a moment. The man works on some sort of large looking circuit panel. He links dim pathways of light as if he is drawing.

?Yes, yes I know, but it relaxes me.?He says in a lightly stressed voice.

?What? Being covered in green poo that wants to turn you into plant poo?? The orb said snarkly.

?Why yes, I like my balls being eroded away? but I prefer the smell of a crappy LSU to a colorless and quiet void.? The man says snarkly. He continues as he places a panel over the circuit board.

?This one is good, only 10 thousand or so to go. Then again, we should hunt down what powers it and try to get the engines online again.? The orb rotates in place blinking a bland, uninterested smiley face while deep in thought and then stops after a minute.


?So we are going to try the Light Force energy array, since we obviously don?t have any decent power source on my poor precious ship?? The orb displays a crying face with a hint of happiness while looking at the tattered man.

?No? you?re not making me into a human battery? besides, the ship couldn?t handle being plugged into my nipples the last time we tried!? Giving the orb a double take he said.

?So the array?? says the orb making another sad face.

?Yeah, even if we run afoul of the powers that be, it?s better than trying to repair the ship with blood and sweat alone.? With a half hopeful smile he replies .

 

[senordesol]

I think Strunk & White can help you out, however, what's most important is making it super crystal clear who is speaking at any given time.

I personally like it this way:

Single character dialogue: Dialogue occurs within the paragraph. Since there is only 1 speaker, there is no need for a break.
Description of action, "Character 1 dialogues". Character 2 reacts, but does not speak. "Character 1 dialogues again".

Short banter: Each new break is dialogue only. Given that the speakers are well established, further identifiers are unnecessary.
Character 1 initiates "Character 1 dialogues." Character 2 reacts.
> "Character 2 dialogues."
> "Character 1 dialogues."

Long banter: Dialogue occurs for a sustained period, with either party having much to say. Each line break identifies the speaker.
Character 1 initiates. "Character 1 dialogues."
>"Character 2 dialogues." Character 2 reacted. "Character 2 continues."
>"Character 1 dialogues" Character 1 replied.
>Character 2 Reacts. "Character 2 dialogues."

Action Between Dialogues: There is enough of a separation between dialogues that a new break is not necessary so long as the speakers are clearly identified.
"Character 1 Dialogues." Story action. Story action story action story action story action. Story action, story action. Story action. Story action, story action. More story action. Even more story action. So much story action everywhere you guys! Story action. "Character 2 dialogue", Character 2 said.

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

I think Strunk & White can help you out, however, what's most important is making it super crystal clear who is speaking at any given time.

I personally like it this way:

Single character dialogue: Dialogue occurs within the paragraph. Since there is only 1 speaker, there is no need for a break.
Description of action, "Character 1 dialogues". Character 2 reacts, but does not speak. "Character 1 dialogues again".

Short banter: Each new break is dialogue only. Given that the speakers are well established, further identifiers are unnecessary.
Character 1 initiates "Character 1 dialogues." Character 2 reacts.
> "Character 2 dialogues."
> "Character 1 dialogues."

Long banter: Dialogue occurs for a sustained period, with either party having much to say. Each line break identifies the speaker.
Character 1 initiates. "Character 1 dialogues."
>"Character 2 dialogues." Character 2 reacted. "Character 2 continues."
>"Character 1 dialogues" Character 1 replied.
>Character 2 Reacts. "Character 2 dialogues."

Action Between Dialogues: There is enough of a separation between dialogues that a new break is not necessary so long as the speakers are clearly identified.
"Character 1 Dialogues." Story action. Story action story action story action story action. Story action, story action. Story action. Story action, story action. More story action. Even more story action. So much story action everywhere you guys! Story action. "Character 2 dialogue", Character 2 said.

The Elements of Style? I got teh 4th edition somewhere the trouble is I am bad with reading(elementary school damaged me good), I need some back and forth so I can get specific things stuck in my head.


Thank you the info I will add it to my notes.