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Mary Gastmeier's avatar

Dialogue. My Achilles’ heel. McKee ordered.

Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you for this reference, Graham. In case you have not read him, I recommend Jim Cummings -- one of Substack's best story tellers with a true gift for dialogue. Here is a short period piece, two people talking, neither of them listening. He doesn't name the era, but the details and the dialogue take us there. https://jimcummings5251.substack.com/p/a-letter-from-proxmire

Graham Strong's avatar

Thanks! I'll check that out!

M.E. Proctor's avatar

Sorkin is THE master of dialogue, no contest. I have to hear the lines in my head before I can write them, with the pauses, the emphasis ... maybe it's from my theater days. I wonder what you would think in the dialogue in this very short piece published yesterday. There's a scene between 4 men + one listening (he's the POV), I'm curious : https://pistoljimpress.substack.com/p/the-emporium-by-me-proctor

Graham Strong's avatar

Very nice! The dialogue carries the story -- at least, until that last beat...!

M.E. Proctor's avatar

ah yes, the last little kick...