#WriteCBC tip and task from Ciara Finan
BY Ciara Finan
3rd Oct 2024
Welcome to our October 2024 #WriteCBC prompt challenge. I hope you’re ready to be inspired by our latest writing tip and task! If you haven’t taken part in a #WriteCBC X/Twitter competition before, we’re excited to welcome you to our writing community. Get up to speed by reading our blog full of information about how to play and the prizes on offer. It’s a lot of fun, and you might just win a free place on one of our six-week online writing courses.
This month’s special guest is Curtis Brown literary agent, Ciara Finan. Ciara is part of the team behind the Discoveries writing development programme and prize and represents the 2023 winner, Paige Cowan-Hall. She is also a judge on the inaugural Andromeda Award, the award launched by UTA and C&W to seek out and support the best new emerging science fiction and fantasy writers.
CIARA'S WRITING TIP:
- Romance fiction is incredibly popular – from contemporary romcoms to romantasy. But, what helps these novels stand out is a believable relationship! Think about the dialogue and body language you're using to portray the developing relationship.
Within the romance genre, it’s not just about having two brilliant fleshed-out characters on their own – they also have to spark off one another. Whether discovering what they have in common, or fighting like cats and dogs – is full of energy and spark and excitement.
Which leads us nicely onto Ciara's task . . .
CIARA'S WRITING TASK:
- Write a short conversation between two characters who seemingly hate each other (but will end up together by the end of the story). Show the subtext of their growing attraction & hint at the progress from enemies/rivals to . . . something more!
We’d love you to write a tweet-length (280 characters of a standard Twitter/X account) response prompted by Ciara's task.
Remember, we're looking for a small glimpse into a burgeoning romance between rivals. You don't have to end your tweet-length scene with the couple already together.
Show us a tense conversation – think about your favourite enemies-to-lovers moments, from Darcy and Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice to Jude and Cardan in The Cruel Prince, miscommunication and misunderstandings are often the barrier to a couple's happy ending.
Here are few tips on writing great dialogue to inspire you:
- Don't use any verbs other than 'says' or 'said' – and don't use lots of adverbs. Dialogue is best when it's purest – see if you can make it stand without too much supporting furniture. Give the reader the bare minimum of 'he saids', 'she saids', – just enough so we know who's speaking. And sometimes try using a physical gesture or movement instead.
- Don’t show people always talking in complete sentences. In real life, we often don’t say things in full, carefully, and in the correct words. Make your characters say things abruptly, or speak only a part or a fragment of what they’re trying to communicate. Also, we don’t always wait for each other to finish speaking. Have your characters cut across each other in ways that are true to them and their situation.
- Make the language work with the emotion of the situation. The way we talk depends on what’s happening to us and who we’re talking to. Consider the situation and emotions of your character when choosing the words and the extent to which your character can articulate clearly.
- Finally, characters (like real people) don't always say what they truly mean! Use this to your advantage.
We can’t wait to read your tweet-length scenes. Tweet @cbcreative with your responses to Ciara's task and you might win a free six-week online writing course place (worth £220). Competition closes Fri 4 Oct, 10am UK time (winner announced at 11am). Find out about rules and prizes here.
Congratulations to this month’s winner, Rachael H. @Shoequeeny
- 'God of course you're early', accompanied by an eye roll. He glared. 'On time, you mean?' She pointedly looked at the empty room. He glared harder. 'Well you're here too.' 'Only for the pastries.' He watched her walk away and smugly ate the last danish; her favourite.
We absolutely loved this terse interaction over pastries! Your clever use of dialogue spun an everyday interaction between two rivals into something more, hinting at their underlying chemistry bubbling beneath their angst. These two characters clearly know each other's routines and habits (suggested by 'God of course you're early'), but are playing it off as a dig rather than admitting that they've both shown up early in the hope of running into each other. Well done, Rachael – you get a free place on a £220 online course.
And this month’s runners-up – each getting a £50 course discount – are Rachel Rowlinson @RowlinsonRachel and Ruth @dorothybrit. Congratulations, all!
To redeem your prizes please email help@curtisbrowncreative.co.uk
Brilliant fun – hope you all enjoyed it and see you next month.