Writing for kids

R

ronin99

Active member
I would like to add some dialogue for a character in my script. No problem right? Except the character is a 8 year old girl, and I am not. How can I write unauthentic dialogue for her, and not make it sound like it is coming from a 30 year old male.
 
ronin99 said:
I would like to add some dialogue for a character in my script. No problem right? Except the character is a 8 year old girl, and I am not. How can I write unauthentic dialogue for her, and not make it sound like it is coming from a 30 year old male.
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Research. Volunteer to babysit some friends'/relatives' kids or give a presentation at a local elementary school? Or read a book to kids at a local Barnes and Noble kids reading session? Watch some movies where there is lots of dialog among 8 year olds? Find some scripts to study that have lots of dialog between 8 year olds?
 
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Randall_Oelerich said:
Research. Volunteer to babysit some friends'/relatives' kids or give a presentation at a local elementary school? Or read a book to kids at a local Barnes and Noble kids reading session? Watch some movies where there is lots of dialog among 8 year olds? Find some scripts to study that have lots of dialog between 8 year olds?
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Bah, a truly committed writer would find a mate, have a child, wait eight years, then carefully document the offspring's diction and syntax over the course of months of agonizing research.

Man, why do I always feel like there's no smiley here on the boards that appropriately reflects my inner emoticon? Other than Randall's suggestions, PBS might be a good place to start. It might be skewing a little young, but hopefully you'll find a show with some pre-teen dialogue. I suppose an eight-year-old would be in about third grade. In that sense, sitcoms might be your best bet. I think "Still Standing" has a young girl, but she doesn't have much speaking time. An early season of "Home Improvement" might work too.
 
I'm surprised you're having trouble since the majority of the internet sounds like they're under 6 years old. :P
 
one tip is note make the kid sound to stupid. Kids are often smarter then they sometimes appear.
 
AuditoryVisuals said:
Can you post some eight-year-old dialogue that you have written?
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Well how's about some 10 year old?

Kids' speak really hasn't changed much for the last hundred some odd years...

Just think "innocence" and you'll be fine.

kiddialogue1.jpg

kiddialogue2.jpg
 
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