Screw It Up

Writing is a planned act. We think about what we want to say, word it oh so perfectly, and revise when needed. This is the exact opposite of real life, where we often need to think of something to say to somebody immediately and can screw up in a variety of ways.

When we write stories, we get to write the perfect dialogue. People sound eloquent and educated. If somebody isn't supposed to sound clever, then they are perfectly presented as not clever. There's nothing wrong with doing this; it is effective and entertaining (which stories should be). It's just that it doesn't represent reality.

If you want to show real people, people who are flawed and can't help it, then have their words be equally flawed. Have them stumble, blank, Freudian slip, and anything else that makes them feel foolish and embarrassed.

This also opens up a realm of possibilities in the stories that you can tell. Misunderstanding (and not in the comedy of errors or the double entendre sort of way) can lead to stories that perfectly-worded speech would never come across. Sometimes people speak without thinking or say something that is true but too blunt. These kinds of miscommunications can allow for stories that define simple logic, which can spice up a story.

Writing is about capturing reality, even if it's done in a fantasy world. Look around your world, notice the imperfections, and capture them.