Grr.

[elisi]

You know when you're writing a fic, and your characters need to have a conversation that has to go somewhere specific because you need to put across a particular bit of information/get someone to say more than they should/make a point/similar? And then they keep derailing and talking about other things?

That's been my current fic for the past few weeks. And I want to pick up all my characters and yell at them to just get to the bloody point already, because I've re-written the scene so many times that I'm beginning to hate it and just cut it out altogether, which would be stupid since I've very carefully built up to it. *bangs head on desk*

Comments

[hello-spikey.livejournal.com]

Just remember you have the power to edit the conversation after writing it. Go ahead and cut out all the stuff they say other than what you want them to say.

Sometimes I write Horrid Stand-In Dialog, like a mini outline. REALLY HORRID. Like...

Spike said, "I have a secret I'm keeping from you all, and I'll confess it if you just make me mad enough."

Buffy said, "Something to make Spike mad."

Spike said, "I'm sleeping with Angel."


...And sometimes these lines end up staying in.

[elisi]

Your example is totally made of win!!!

And I've got it sorted now - it was a bit more tricky, because I knew what I needed them to say, it just took them forever to get there. So it went a little like this (to borrow your example):

Spike said, "I have a secret I'm keeping from you all, and I'll confess it if you just make me mad enough."

Buffy said, "Why should I make you mad? I'm not sure I want to know your stupid secret."

Spike said, "But that's the point! You ought to be curious!"

Buffy said, "I dislike your assumptiveness."

Spike said, "Now you're just being difficult!"

Buffy said, "Of course I'm difficult, have you not paid attention for throughout the show?"

Spike said, "You impossible woman!"

Buffy said, "I'm impossible? [Something to make Spike mad.]"

Spike said, "I'm sleeping with Angel."

...See?

[hello-spikey.livejournal.com]

*giggle* That dialog is pure win.
"Have you not paid attention?"
:D

[elisi]

Actually looking at that sentence again, clearly *I* wasn't paying attention to what I was writing. ::facepalm:: Anyway, glad to have amused you. My characters always love to talk...