Today I noticed a man walking with his dog and carrying on a conversation. He was alone so I assumed he was talking to the dog. Then I noticed that he didn't seem to be addressing the dog. He wasn't looking at the dog while talking. I took another glance at the man since my first assumption was apparently wrong. Then I noticed the air pods he was wearing and then it all made sense. He was on a call.
By this time I could hear some of the words the man was saying. I found myself interested in listening even though I also didn't want to as it is really none of my business. Then I realized that I wasn't actually interested in the conversation but how he was carrying on the conversation. What words was he emphasizing? Which sentences sounded more deliberate?
As a writer, dialog is important and it's a huge struggle for me to get it right. When I have a chance to eavesdrop even if it is just for a few moments on someone's conversation, it's a good opportunity to listen to how it plays out while not being about the content. All I really have to draw upon when it comes to dialog is my own experience. If everyone else is like me then all of my writing should be hugely successful. That is not the case. Everyone is wonderfully different. This makes it challenging to write dialog that is both believable and purposeful to the story.
I try to approach writing dialog in a way that it makes sense to the story and helps to set the tone. Also I find dialog explains parts of the story better than a few paragraphs would. Dialog is much easier to read, too.
It's nice to know that on a daily walk that I can find some way to practice a writing skill.
