In some of my previous posts about writing I've talked a bit about actioning in writing, and how it can be used in writing dialogue particularly. Here is a great little article from Naomi Joseph for Spotlight about how using acting techniques might be useful in writing - there is also linked transcript from a workshop with esteemed playwright Simon Stephens about the technique itself.
Actioning is a bit of a controversial acting technique - its critics say it takes away the spontaneity of performance, and its fans say it unleashes layers of consideration that you might not get on a surface line read. To me both are correct, and it's sometimes the right tool for the job, and sometimes isn't.
But for writing dialogue I think it's a really meaty tool. So what is it?
Actioning is the process of allocating an action or intention to each line of dialogue.
The action is described with a transitive verb – this is a verb that is “done to” someone else, such as “teases” or “threatens” or “distracts”. It helps actors to decide and convey clearly what their character is trying to “do” with each line to the person or people it is spoken to. Perhaps they are trying to shock; to reassure; to intrigue; to seduce; to amuse.
In real life of course, we rarely have an intention around every single thing we say... though I would argue we do more than we might think! Not everything is an active intention (well, for some people it might be) but we usually communicate because we want to evoke something.
In storytelling I would argue that every line of dialogue needs to serve a purpose. So why not take the actioning method to your second draft and consider the intentionality around your character's words?
