TimBookTu Discussion Board

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The power of philosophy floats through my head; light as a feather, heavy as lead...

DD,

I've got one word for you - eavesdrop!

Really, every chance you get, listen to conversations between men. Listen to them on the phone with their boys, listen to how they speak in a professional setting, listen to how they speak to their children; their daughters particularly, listen to them on the corner, listen to them on the basketball court.

I find word selection is key. There are words women use that men, straight men at least, would never say. "Fierce" comes to mind. I've never in my life heard a straight man use that word - unless he was making fun of a gay man.

Another good resource in writing natural male dialog MIGHT be butch lesbians, as opposed to lipstick lesbians. If you know any butch lesbians, observe them.

I find that eavesdropping is an underrated writing tool. When utilized creatively, it's wonderful in assisting any writer with word selection, speech patterns, lingo, buzzwords, slang, accents, nationality; even helps to show the characters' socio-economical status and education level.

Lastly, I believe writing natural dialog for the opposite gender is a skill that definitely needs to be developed. I don't think that particular skill comes naturally even to the most gifted of writers.

Happy eavesdropping!

~us

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I love this cultured hell that tests my youth! ~ Claude McKay

No woman ever made history being a lady ~ GAR

http://gandirhos.com

US!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Soooooo happy to see you postin'! (especially to help me, lol!)

That was very useful information. I really had never thought about eavesdropping. I am really excited now. Ima stalk me some men folk. I have a character I want to develop. I'm ready to get started. Thank you sooo much again US!

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The power of philosophy floats through my head; light as a feather, heavy as lead...

Do you agree that Eric Jerome Dickey has this gift? He writes very well from a woman's perspective. He gives wonderful details. I am in a class right now that is forcing me to use more dialogue. I struggle with it so I haven't even considered working on a male perspective. Maybe I'll get to that point someday

BET NOT BE! Anyhow, let me remind you again, A WRITER IS A CREATOR! You control ALL of the "Ws" involved in writing. Your character is who you say he is, he does what you say he does, when you say he does it and where you want him to do it. I'm speaking from the male perspective only because it appropo! You have the talent to CREATE characters of all walks of life and you know it, are you fishing here? Creative writing is just that, or have you forgotten? SCRIBE gave you some excellent suggestions, follow them. You don't have to be in a hurry, take your time. Do your homework, broaden your horizons, eavesdrop (as suggested) and brang the hammer!

I totally know what you mean in this whole paragraph. Remember, with men in print, its not so much what they say, its what they do! And they only do what you, as the creator, allow them to do. They don't always have to be good guys, hell BIGGER THOMAS (NATIVE SON) certainly wasn't!

You were born with the necessary tools and they've only gotten sharper since. DEVELOPING skills is a word that should be foreign to you. Your words are NURTURING AND IMPLEMENTING skills! What Mary J say, "WORK WHAT YOU GOT!"

Great advice. Many writers face these challenges to find the voice of their characters whether they be male or female. That's what sets the great writer apart from the others.

Hello DreadedDiva. This is Tamikka/Poeticsoul. I'm new to timbooktu, so I am still navigating my way around the discussion board and topics. I wanted to weigh in on your concern. How are you coming along with developing and introducing your male characters after all the advice thus far?...I agree with Urban Scribe--eavesdrop! Luckily for me more of my friends happen to be male, at least most of who I interact with on a regular, so I have the pleasure or Not, of hearing guy talk frequently, mainly because I have a brother too. So, yes hang around any guys that you know and Absorb, Absorb, Absorb! Not only will it help you develope your male characters, but you will get some sefl-help tid bits as well...LOL!

Also pay close attention to their body language as well, because, while dialogue is important, so is creating their movements, which speaks volumes...Good luck!

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PoeticSoul

PS, very sound advice. I have taken it too. I have been exposed to (or violated by, lol) the world of testosterone. PS, Thelma (PoetressForever) and I need you to help us revive TB2. Come help us!

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The power of philosophy floats through my head; light as a feather, heavy as lead...

Come help us ...PLEASE!


Pssst....Pssst........Say please the next time Louise...it helps.

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PoetressForever

Duely noted. Puh-leeze!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The power of philosophy floats through my head; light as a feather, heavy as lead...