Which dialogue format do you prefer?
This is a follow-up to a previous post I made about dialogue styles. I decided that I'm going to go with this style of dialogue for my Sims story when some certain bugs are fixed and I can continue o...
Forum Discussion
That's what I was doing at first. I decided to change to the script format because I find for me when I read back on the dialogue it's easier to read the dialogue that way as if it's more like up front and direct kinda like reading a chat on an MMORPG. Also, what I'm doing with the changes to my story is I'm telling it as a blog kinda like a reality show which is what I intended to do from the beginning. I found using the story format dialogue makes it like a written story rather than telling the story as a blog and reality show. In other words, I just found using the story dialogue format to be less real and direct than what I am trying to go for if that makes sense. I guess it's more correct to say that this not a written story like a novel, but a blog or diary telling the events that happen as each day progresses as well as sharing some of the conversations that took place.
Say for example this is just a made up description of the blog:
The Adventures of John and Alisa
This is a diary about the adventures that me and my girlfriend Alisa share. Some of the things you'll find here are the details of our adventures and some of the conversations that we have.
Example:
Below is another example of John telling an event that happened, and then John sharing a conversation that he had with Alisa:
Today we adventured through the darkest of the forest. We encountered a few werewolves, but we were able to defeat them without much trouble.
John: Those werewolves were ferocious, but they were no match for us.
Alisa: *Tickles John*
John: Hey! Stop that! *Laughs*
Alisa: *Chuckles* Yeah, no werewolf is a match for us!
John: Well, let's continue on. I'm sure that fortress must be around here somewhere.
The problem I'm facing though is I'm struggling to decide if I should use format 1 or format 2 for this type of dialogue. I find there are both benefits and drawbacks to both formats. I just wanted to see what others preferred. I think I'm leaning on going with format 2 though.
Yes, I think the disclaimer will help a great deal. Either format will do, putting it that way. I think I prefer the second one, over the first example, though.
