You must incorporate them into a new dialogue - they do not have to be the first two lines - they can be, if you'd like - but you must use them both.
Also, we'll think about the different ways to introduce lines said by a character. You can simply use "she said - he said" but you do have other options! Here is a link to a list of potential choices, along with a warning about them:
So, your task for today includes multiple components:
- Establish the setting, characters, and purpose of the dialogue (scene)
- Use the two random lines you received
- Don't just write the dialogue - start building it into a scene
- Introduce lines using "dialogue tags"
- Add in a few actions / movements (see examples)
How to make this happen? Here are a few words of advice:
- Start writing and just let the words flow - Don't edit - Trust your ear and initial thoughts to just get the scene out there.
- Act it out - no, really. Think about how helpful this was the other day when we read some of the dialogues out loud - you start to notice things that you might not initially see on the page. Find someone to read your dialogue with you - I'm happy to do that!
- You don't need to say everything, especially things that might be obvious. This is often a first place to start to cut lines - get to the stuff that matters - your reader shouldn't be able to feel like they can predict the next line!
- Think of the flow - incorporate pauses, or even silence. In conversations people sigh, look out a window, take a drink, puff on a cigarette, stand up, whatever. Using moments like this will help your dialogue to feel natural.
- Don't be afraid of confrontations or challenges. Use surprises. Your characters don't always know what's coming next. You might not either! Allow yourself to be surprised!
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