When writing dialogue in a memoir, and writing something that happened at age twelve, is it better to try to write the dialogue as that of a life experienced older person, or as the twelve-year-old, with a far more limited vocabulary?
How much explanation is one supposed to write about anything,? should I make something absolutely blindingly obvious, or should I allow for the reader to have enough intelligence to make connections between passages?
If you're quoting someone, use their level of language. If you're reporting their words through the voice of the twelve year-old, you should write it at his level. He may use their words even if he doesn't understand them.
Beware of giving him more knowledge than he could possibly have had, because you as a mature writer know their meanings. You have to see and speak through him.
Lorraine
Jeremy, do not explain. That's a lazy way to convey information. You should drip-feed information, then let the reader use their intelligence to fill in the gaps.
Dialogue should be clear, concrete, precise. The use of correct vocabulary is of the utmost importance. By correct vocabulary, I mean the right use and right choice of words. Many contemporary words have additional bastardised meanings.
For example, the word Prejudice means to Pre-judge, but many people associate the word prejudice with racial connotations. Similarly, the original meaning of the word Decimate, means to destroy one tenth - not massacre completely.
As a would-be author, I'm often reaching for my electronic dictionary. Writing has taught me the precise meaning of words.
Try to use words with precise meanings to avoid accidently confusing the reader.
BLOODY StupidPhone!!!
Should have been 'an idiot': not 'am idiot'. And Oxbridge don: NOT don't!