I won't be vague; this is a writer's horror word! This word and its synonyms: indistinct or indefinite, are words I NEVER want applied to me as a writer much less my work, especially in dialog.
Would you write a conversation like this?
The only time I ever saw this work—and it only worked because it was making fun of being vague or indistinct—was on the Andy Griffith Show. It was clever there because of the timing and set up. Normally, however, we as writers avoid this kind of dialog like rotten road pizza. Have you ever caught yourself being lazy and writing something maybe not this bad, but at least something so vague or boring that when you look at it again you have to ask yourself where your brain was that day?
There are times as writers we are purposely vague about details and plot twists in our stories because we want to pique reader's interest, involve them, so we leave things out or write in a way that leaves different interpretations available to the reader. But we are never vague about how we write those scenes and certainly not in dialog.
Does this dialog draw you in?
"What makes you smile," he asked.
Very Vague, Lisa. Good post.
Thanks Cathrina, glad to have you stop by and comment!
I agree...while, sometimes, vagueness can be pulled off it's best left to being used sparingly.
Yes, now I'm over to your blog, behind schedule today as "real" life got in the way!
'rotten road pizza' - loved that! Nothing vague about that! The road directions? Vague. The dialogue? Great!
Lovely post Lisa thank you!
Thank you so much for commenting on my blog. I may not always be able to respond to the comments you leave, HOWEVER, I will ALWAYS go to your blog and leave a comment myself! Who knows, I might even subscribe to your blog like you might subscribe to mine! Appreciate you dropping by.
© Lisa Buie-Collard – Author of Evangeline's Miracle: Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full credit is given.
Be nice. Be fair. Enough of the other going around already.
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