Exercise: writing dialogue
the scenario:
- a middle-aged man returns home from work.
- he had stopped for a few drinks with his friends and forgot to phone his wife to tell her he’ll belate.
- the dinner is ruined.
the exercise:
- write a short scene composed of dialogue between husband and wife.
DIALOGUE EXERCISE:
Door slams. Wife sits in the dark living room.
Wife: “Where have you been? ” (solemn tone)
DRUNK Husband: (irritated tone) “drinking, can’t you smell?? “
Wife: “You went drinking without letting me know first, and now you’re showing attitude, who do u think you are?! “
DRUNK Husband: “You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? Well, who the hell else are you talkin’ to? You talkin’ to me? Well, I’m the only one here. Who the f–k do you think you’re talkin’ to?”"
Wife is literally stunned, and remains in silence.
DRUNK Husband: “I’m going to shower. night.”
Wife: “I’m gonna kill you!” (jumps on his back)
Beware: Vulgar Language included!!!
June 12, 2008 at 3:14 pm
haha!!!you took the line from Taxi Driver!!!
June 12, 2008 at 4:23 pm
HAHAHA! How did you know that?! Oh my god, u spilled the secret and now I cant use them anymore
June 21, 2008 at 7:58 am
er, lol? hi ah leen, though we din meet up but somehow u became my wife? lol, feel the power of EDITING, lol
June 21, 2008 at 8:03 am
woah. so many vulgarities.. hahaha.
June 22, 2008 at 4:28 pm
i haven’t said the f word since primary school. lol!
June 23, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Real life is vulgar – she’s just writing what she hears …
August 6, 2008 at 7:38 am
Good realistic dialogue. Things are really tense but there are no highs and lows like in a real argument. Things just go from bad to worse to worser.