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@cstross@wandering.shop
#WritersCoffeeClub 9th Jan 2026. What's your top tip for writing authentic dialogue? I don't even try. Pick up a novel—any novel. (Not "Trainspotting", you freak.) Read the dialog aloud. Alternatively
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Russell
@zimzat@mastodon.social
Software Architect (deprecated: use Staff Engineer), Casual Gamer ⌨️🖱️+🎮️, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 📚️🎥️ 🏳️🌈️
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@cstross@wandering.shop This has become one of my pet peeves in books:
How often in 1-on-1 conversations do you say the other person's name? Maybe once? Yet some books have them saying "My Lord" and "My Lady" or "What do you think, Bob?" even when there's no one else in the room.
I'll waive _saying_ participant names once, so the reader knows who is who, but when it's every 3-4 exchanges it becomes irksome.
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