Improv/Writing Tip #2: Avoid denial

(#2 in a series of tips from my improv comedy class that struck me as applying to writing.)

Improv/Writing Tip #2: Avoid denial
If your scene partner says you’re a doctor, you’re a doctor. If they say you’re scared, be petrified.

The “avoiding denial” tip from improv has to do with not standing up on stage with your partner and saying “no.”

Example (bad!)
[Scene starts. Malcolm looks like he’s spraying something.]
Me: I told you not to keep hosing off that dog with methane.
Malcolm: It’s not methane, and it’s a car.
Audience: Confused.
Scene: Dead.

The idea with improv is to allow whatever crazy idea comes into your head (or your partner’s) to have its day in the sun. Play it out. Let it rip. Build on it.

Example (good!)
[Scene starts. Malcolm looks like he’s spraying something.]
Me: I told you not to keep hosing off that dog with methane.
Malcolm: Damn thing kept passing gas, so I’m helping.
Audience: Amused.
Scene: Ready to rock and roll.

When I took this tip to my writing, it made the most difference to the dialog. A lot of times, in conversations we have every day, we edit people. We correct them. We let them know how what they’re saying isn’t going to work.

Typical conversation
Me: How about I get there around 5:30?
Friend: Well, I’ve got a doctor’s appointment until about 5, so that might be too early.
Me: I could come at 6, but then we’d only have about an hour for dinner, because I have a reading group at 7.
Friend: Oh, we’re having dinner? How about just some coffee?
Me: Eh, I’m not big on coffee. And I’ll be hungry.
Friend: I don’t really have the cash for eating out …
Me: Maybe we should plan this for another time?

Are you asleep yet? Or worse, uncomfortable? I think what makes it uncomfortable is not the conversation—I negotiate like this with friends all the time, and when we do finally work out getting together, it’s a blast. But man, seeing it in print, one denial after another, you just think this relationship must be totally dysfunctional. They can’t agree on anything. An interesting side exercise is to watch our actual conversations and listen for how many times we flip someone else’s comments in another direction. It happens naturally, all the time. We try to be nice about it, but sometimes you just gotta flip.

In writing, however, we, as authors, have a choice. Not a word has to escape our character’s lips that does not contribute to conflict/resolution or character.

Fictional conversation
Me: How about I get there around 5:30?
Friend: That’s great, it will be right after my doctor’s appointment.
Me: Oh, man, for the foot you broke playing volleyball?
Friend: Yeah. But it’s almost healed. And the hot guy who broke it came and visited me!
Me: That’s awesome! I’ll bet you volleyed a couple—you know.
Friend: Let’s just say the foot wasn’t a problem.

How much happier are you now? The dialog builds, one thing leading to the next, with no detours or head-scratchers.

Check out your favorite page of dialog, either in your writing or someone else’s. Are there any denials? If you’re looking to sharpen the writing, kill them. Kill them now.

Tagged as: Improv, Writing How-To