Previously on my blog, I wrote about writing an entire first draft of a manuscript in dialogue. As promised, here is an exclusive, un-edited, sneak peak snippet of pure dialogue. No tags, no descriptions of tone of voice, or posture, or anything. Of course, the scene is enhanced by it, but here is the naked version.
Oh, but first, a brief introduction: Our heroine, Miss Harlow, has found our hero’s list of Desired Qualities In A Wife and reads it aloud to him, with unsolicited commentary. Ever the gentleman, Lord Brandon endures her dramatic recitation of his personal writings.
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She read aloud: “Desired Qualities In A Wife.”
“Miss Harlow…”
“Item the first: Attractive. That is understandable, Lord Brandon. A pretty face across from yours at the breakfast table would be pleasant.”
“I thought so.”
“Item the second: Reasonable Intelligence. That strikes me as…reasonable. Item the third: Agreeable Temperament. Again, I do concur that is a reasonable request in a spouse. One would not wish to deal with hysterical tantrums or violent outbursts or the like.”
“I do not care for episodes of disruptive or highly emotional behavior.”
“Item the fourth: From a respectable and distinguished family. It seems to me that you have found the perfect woman in Lady Isabelle, for she fulfills all of these qualities.”
“I am in agreement with your assessment.”
“Anyone would think so. But I notice something, Your Grace. Love is not mentioned on this list.”
“Of course not.”
“Why would you not wish for love? Or at the very least, companionship, friendship, or affection?”
“Because, Miss Harlow, the purpose of marriage is to combine assets and protect them for the future generations, which one is to create. Love does not enter into it at all.”
“But love will make all of that so much more happy, pleasant, wonderful…”
“Or it can lead to crushing and devastating heartache that numbs one to any and all other pleasures in life.”
“Well, I suppose, but…”
“I trust that none of this will find it’s way into your column, Miss Harlow?”
“Of course not. I should hate to crush the romantic notions of my readers.”
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4 Comments
I love it!
Thanks Maya!
VERY intriguing. Can’t wait to read more. I can totally picture the scene in my head, even without tags or description.
Thanks for sharing, Maya!
Love it!
I, personally, like writing dialogues better than writing descriptive scenes or something the like. I think you can express things much more lively and “like in real life” when you write dialogues.
I’m soooo looking forward to the book, seems to be very cool!
Thanks everyone! It’s interesting to read and write just dialogue, but I think it is enhanced by tags and some description. But you’ll have to wait for the book for that!
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[...] Some of y’all loyal readers might recall that I posted the “naked” dialogue only version of this scene. Some of y’all might want to check that out here. [...]