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 I read dialogue from a 12yo sounding like an Oxbridge don't, I'd put the book down... preferably in the fireplace.
Tricky, this!
I hate it when writers 'talk to me' as if I were am idiot. Don't be condescending with your readers. On the other hand, don't assume that your readers have had the same experiences as yourself.
It's ALWAYS a good idea to read your ms aloud - to yourself, but also to patient friends (or less patient ones whom you've managed to tie up securely) - and get a reaction. If they fall asleep or say "Wuuuuhhh?", you've got some rewriting ahead of you.