Hi everyone,
Just a quick question about dialogue - has anyone used a lot in their submission piece? I've used quite a bit and then when I read the winners from last year's comp, there was not that much dialogue at all. It's all a learning curve for me, but just curious as to how much dialogue other people use.
Thanks
Linda, I didn't include dialogue in my piece purely because it was the main characters thoughts to herself throughout. I do not think it is a requirement to have dialogue but as long as any dialogue included flows well with the work you have just as much chance of doing well as someone with no dialogue. From personal experience my advice would be don't worry about the judging, you either win or don't but it's all part of the learning process and you can improve considerably from it. I have entered numerous competitions and have only ever won one (my school one in 2010). Good luck!
Pretty much concur with the comments above. If dialogue drives the story then it's as relevant as description. If you want to see how someone writes to the highest standard with dialogue - and he uses a lot of it - try Evelyn Waugh: that's if you haven't already. 'Decline and Fall' is the best place to start. Dialogue galore!
I used a great deal of dialogue too ... my piece wouldn't work without it.