My current (and first ever) WIP novel opens in a movie theater. A conversation is going on through most of the first 1500 words. There's body language, descriptions of other stuff going on in the theater, etc., not just stuff in quotations, but it's all related to the conversation.
I imagine there's going to be a lot of conversation in this novel, even though it's got some crazy action scenes. Is 1500 words of conversation too much? (This is after cutting any unnecessary chatter I could find.)
This scene is primarily romantic, and I think it gives a good intro to the personalities of several of the main characters. I can't really think of any other way to write it, other than to split up everything that's happening or cut a lot of the personality from the characters.
A major theme of the story is the contrast and relationship between the main character (lesbian and vampire, proud of both; decisive and outspoken) and supporting character (lesbian or bi-sexual, very closeted and repressed; indecisive and usually shy).
Here's what's going on. Is this too much conversation for one scene? (There is body language and such, not just spoken conversation. The POV is 1st person from MC, and includes her thoughts.)
-Introduces main character (female vampire, likes girls, prefers consensual blood sharing, non-lethal); establishes personality
-Introduces supporting character (female horror movie fan, likes girls, in the closet); establishes personality
-Establishes chemistry between the two; reinforces personalities; SC does not know anything about the vampire part though
-Gradually introduces MC as a vampire without infodumping; clarifies her personality
-Interruption; local conservative evangelist shows up and talks to supporting character; he used to be her pastor; he'll be an important character later. MC and SC's different reactions to him reinforce character.
-MC tries holding SC's hand; lasts about a minute, then SC reverses and claims to be straight; then gives awkward explanation. MC decides to go after preacher if she has to go for non-consensual blood. Reinforces personalities.
-MC defuses awkward situation, SC asks her out for a "non-date" the next day
-Scene ends
I imagine there's going to be a lot of conversation in this novel, even though it's got some crazy action scenes. Is 1500 words of conversation too much? (This is after cutting any unnecessary chatter I could find.)
This scene is primarily romantic, and I think it gives a good intro to the personalities of several of the main characters. I can't really think of any other way to write it, other than to split up everything that's happening or cut a lot of the personality from the characters.
A major theme of the story is the contrast and relationship between the main character (lesbian and vampire, proud of both; decisive and outspoken) and supporting character (lesbian or bi-sexual, very closeted and repressed; indecisive and usually shy).
Here's what's going on. Is this too much conversation for one scene? (There is body language and such, not just spoken conversation. The POV is 1st person from MC, and includes her thoughts.)
-Introduces main character (female vampire, likes girls, prefers consensual blood sharing, non-lethal); establishes personality
-Introduces supporting character (female horror movie fan, likes girls, in the closet); establishes personality
-Establishes chemistry between the two; reinforces personalities; SC does not know anything about the vampire part though
-Gradually introduces MC as a vampire without infodumping; clarifies her personality
-Interruption; local conservative evangelist shows up and talks to supporting character; he used to be her pastor; he'll be an important character later. MC and SC's different reactions to him reinforce character.
-MC tries holding SC's hand; lasts about a minute, then SC reverses and claims to be straight; then gives awkward explanation. MC decides to go after preacher if she has to go for non-consensual blood. Reinforces personalities.
-MC defuses awkward situation, SC asks her out for a "non-date" the next day
-Scene ends
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