let's talk

Writing dialogue can be challenging. I've been encouraged to listen to real life conversations and look for inspiration there.

Keeping that in mind, I like to jot down funny things that people have said to me during interviews during my job the past two years. Here are a few gems I've come across since August 2008.

"Better be careful or you'll find yourself married to a railroader."
- Louisiana

"Can I just say you have eyes as blue and deep as the Greek Sea?"
- New York

"Ma'am, I sure wish you wouldn't swear -- even if it is just in your car. You're much to nice of a lady to talk like that."
- Texas

"A lady doesn't pay for much down here. We didn't invent that 'going Dutch.'"
- Louisiana

"Do you have any kids?"
"No."
"Are you married?"
"No."
"How old did you say you were?"
"I just turned 24."
"What are you waiting for, girl?"
- Texas

"Did you pa'k ya' ca' at the yard?"
- Massachusetts

"What happened to that skinny girl who used to come here?"
- New York

"Do you think I sound like Christian Slater? Girls tell me that all the time."
- New York

"I know your type. Once you have a baby your whole life will be over. You'll want to be there to see every sneeze and poop."
- New York

"I bet you have a different man everywhere you go."
- Texas

Instead of being offended by some of the sexism that could be present in these quotes, I instead find them funny. Most of my writing is laced with some humor, so I look to these quotes as inspiration.

I find the best humor comes from something that could actually happen or be spoken.

I've already found homes for versions of some of these quotes in a couple of my projects.