Too Much Talking

I’m circling in on a deadline. Southern Utah setting. A guy with a not-so-pleasant past. A woman who wants more information. A dead guy…

While writing I keep thinking about something I read at Diana Holquist’s blog a few weeks ago (she actually posted it about a month ago, but I didn’t find it until recently). She was talking about how there is too much dialogue in books. Honestly, it’s not something I thought about until I read Diana’s thoughts and now I think about it on and off – damn her!

Diana says:

And if there’s one thing that there’s WAY too much of in fiction today (especially romance novels!) it’s dialogue. I have a good friend who says the best way to write dialogue is to write it, then cross out 75%. I think 90% might be a better bet for most writers. In my final edits, I often cross out at least a good half of utterances, and every slash makes the scene better.

Now, I actually enjoy dialogue. It’s one of those things I think I do well…usually. So, being the insecure writing type I am, Diana’s comment got me thinking – again, damn that Diana!

But, her comments about cutting dialogue do ring true for me. I revise as I go (and then revise again later). When writing the beginning of a book, I give myself permission to overwrite. This result is what you would expect – circular and unnecessary dialogue. That’s okay since no one else really sees it. From there, I edit and pare down. Only after that can I move to the next part of the book.

Basically, allowing for “too much” at the beginning, I put a character in my head. Cutting and revising spares you guys from having to wade through all of that when reading the actually book. Of course, I always worry I cut too much or not enough (see previous comment about being insecure writer). Diana’s comments kind of highlighted that concern – I curse her a third time!!**

Do you guys think there’s too much dialogue in most romance books? I’m just wondering if this is a general feeling people have. I never really focused on the amount while reading. Sure, there’s bad dialog out there. Maybe this is really the same problem. Not sure. Will have to focus next time I read.

** Despite the fact Diana ruined my day (week!), go pre-order her newest Sexiest Man Alive anyway.