BlackKnightX
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I’ve been thinking about this for a while now. Have you ever written a dialogue like this?
———
1) Web Novel Style
[Example from Dungeon Defense]
Christiane Louise had made up her mind.
“Oh great Demon Lord-”
“Sorry, but could you not call me that?”
The man cut her off, showing clear detest.
“What do you mean by, ‘Oh great Demon Lord’. I feel so nauseous just hearing those words, that I wouldn’t be surprised if my ears were to melt off this very instant. There’s over fifty Demon Lords roaming this continent alone. I wonder if I’m the only ‘great Demon Lord’.”
“Then, what should this one call your highness by.… …?”
“Just stick with ‘your highness’.”
Christiane Louise nodded in response.
“Yes, your highness. May I humbly inform your highness that there are three reasons to spare this one’s life?”
“Is that so? Tell me only one.”
The man plucked a petal and let the single red petal descend slowly.
“I do not have that much patience.”
“…!”
A chill went down Christiane Louise’s spine. The man was not even looking at her, and yet it felt as if hundreds of invisible floating eyes were staring down at her.
———
2) Traditional Style
[Example from Dungeon Defense]
Christiane Louise had made up her mind.
“Oh great Demon Lord-”
“Sorry, but could you not call me that?” The man cut her off, showing clear detest. “What do you mean by, ‘Oh great Demon Lord’. I feel so nauseous just hearing those words, that I wouldn’t be surprised if my ears were to melt off this very instant. There’s over fifty Demon Lords roaming this continent alone. I wonder if I’m the only ‘great Demon Lord’.”
“Then, what should this one call your highness by.… …?”
“Just stick with ‘your highness’.”
Christiane Louise nodded. “Yes, your highness. May I humbly inform your highness that there are three reasons to spare this one’s life?” she said.
“Is that so? Tell me only one.” The man plucked a petal and let the single red petal descend slowly. “I do not have that much patience.”
A chill went down Christiane Louise’s spine. The man was not even looking at her, and yet it felt as if hundreds of invisible floating eyes were staring down at her.
———
As you can see, there’s no dialogue tag in the first example. When there is someone speaking, the dialogue just start off in the next paragraph and continue on like that.
I’ve also seen this way of writing dialogue in a lot of Japanese light novels.
Personally, I like this style of writing more as it’s faster and easier to read than the traditional style.
But, what do you think? Do you think it’s easier to read in the first example? Have you ever tried writing like this before?
———
1) Web Novel Style
[Example from Dungeon Defense]
Christiane Louise had made up her mind.
“Oh great Demon Lord-”
“Sorry, but could you not call me that?”
The man cut her off, showing clear detest.
“What do you mean by, ‘Oh great Demon Lord’. I feel so nauseous just hearing those words, that I wouldn’t be surprised if my ears were to melt off this very instant. There’s over fifty Demon Lords roaming this continent alone. I wonder if I’m the only ‘great Demon Lord’.”
“Then, what should this one call your highness by.… …?”
“Just stick with ‘your highness’.”
Christiane Louise nodded in response.
“Yes, your highness. May I humbly inform your highness that there are three reasons to spare this one’s life?”
“Is that so? Tell me only one.”
The man plucked a petal and let the single red petal descend slowly.
“I do not have that much patience.”
“…!”
A chill went down Christiane Louise’s spine. The man was not even looking at her, and yet it felt as if hundreds of invisible floating eyes were staring down at her.
———
2) Traditional Style
[Example from Dungeon Defense]
Christiane Louise had made up her mind.
“Oh great Demon Lord-”
“Sorry, but could you not call me that?” The man cut her off, showing clear detest. “What do you mean by, ‘Oh great Demon Lord’. I feel so nauseous just hearing those words, that I wouldn’t be surprised if my ears were to melt off this very instant. There’s over fifty Demon Lords roaming this continent alone. I wonder if I’m the only ‘great Demon Lord’.”
“Then, what should this one call your highness by.… …?”
“Just stick with ‘your highness’.”
Christiane Louise nodded. “Yes, your highness. May I humbly inform your highness that there are three reasons to spare this one’s life?” she said.
“Is that so? Tell me only one.” The man plucked a petal and let the single red petal descend slowly. “I do not have that much patience.”
A chill went down Christiane Louise’s spine. The man was not even looking at her, and yet it felt as if hundreds of invisible floating eyes were staring down at her.
———
As you can see, there’s no dialogue tag in the first example. When there is someone speaking, the dialogue just start off in the next paragraph and continue on like that.
I’ve also seen this way of writing dialogue in a lot of Japanese light novels.
Personally, I like this style of writing more as it’s faster and easier to read than the traditional style.
But, what do you think? Do you think it’s easier to read in the first example? Have you ever tried writing like this before?