Ever just been
WOWED by a scene in a book? Maybe the descriptions bloomed with detail, the
characters flickered to life, or the plot gripped at your heartstrings like
candy in the hands of a 3 year old.
Or maybe…
Something in
the dialogue captured you and deepened ALL of the above.
Ever read a
scene like that? Where dialogue opened the door to deeper characters and plot?
Well, it
happens right here in the story of The Samaritan Woman.
A few important
things to note:
- This is one of the longest scenes in the book of John
- The pace slows considerably (to draw attention to it)
- Jesus talks to a WOMAN
- Not only THAT, he talks to a SAMARITAN WOMAN
- AND…. A woman with HER kind of background (VERY taboo for a single, Jewish, righteous sort-of-guy)
Hmmm….
Do you think
John is trying to get our attention here?
Jesus defies
convention to get to the heart of the matter. He’s more concerned about PEOPLE
than popularity.
Because, God is
in the business of rescuing his kids – especially the ones who know they are
broken. Outcasts…searching.
This woman had
been searching for love for years. Five husbands later, she still hasn’t found
it. She’s parched. Dry. Thirsting to death for a love that will never satisfy.
Ever been
there?
Then Jesus
comes and offers her the one thing her heart truly needs. Real love. Living
water. The heart’s only thirst-quencher.
It changes her
life.
What about the
writing tip?
The dialogue
for this story teaches us some important techniques to use in our own writing.
Make each
phrase count.
Don’t spend
your time placing a conversation into a place where you don’t need one.
Move the story
forward with dialogue
Similar to the
first one, dialogue should move the story forward. Create more depth. Gives us
more understanding about the characters and plot. We learn more about Jesus
through this conversation. He doesn’t mind defying conventions to heal a
wounded heart. He seeks out the destitute and broken instead of waiting for
them to come to him. He is not afraid of the hard questions. He is confident of
who He is and His purpose.
And it
transforms the woman’s life. As it changes ours.
Make it
realistic
The
conversation isn’t ask a question – answer a question.
It’s more
realistic, with questions going unanswered, redirections, changing the
subject….
All the things
that happen in natural conversations are the things that help make our
dialogues more realistic.
Pick up a
Bible and read John 4 from a new perspective – as both an author and a
seeker of Living Water.
Your thirst for
answers, refreshment, and satisfaction is sure to be quenched.
What are some
tips you use to keep your dialogue realistic and with forward momentum?
9 comments:
To give credit where due.... This is Pepper's awesome post! I was just helping her out last night to publish it! Lol!
I was wondering since this was Pepper's day. But in truth, your posts are equally fabulous, Krista!!
Pepper,
What a great idea. Thank you so much for pointing out these truths.
maybe in dialogue more than the rest of the writing, am EVER so glad i type by touch. i can close my eyes and rather literally transcribe the conversation (or scene as the case may be) that i hear and see in my head.
Awesome!!! I read mine out loud as if I'm running lines for a play. It helps me better envision the dynamic of the scene as the reader will read it and it also gives me a good pace and choreography for the action tags that should take place. So fun!
Wow, this is fantastic, Pepper!
THanks for posting this for me, Krista :-)
Mare, I'm glad you liked it.
Robin,
That's how dialogue is for me too. It's like a movie happening in my mind. So much fun
Ames,
Reading out loud helps a LOT. I do that too
Thanks so much, Julia
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