Conflict in dialogue

A memoir can be about a significant change in the writer’s life. That often causes conflict with friends and loved ones.

In this film script, notice how the conflicting speakers are portrayed, beyond having opposite opinions.

John (the father) speaks for a long time with no gaps. He makes an argument, giving praise, encouragement and a solution. It all sounds positive, but it’s one-sided and based on how he wants his son to live.
Homer (the son) speaks in short, direct sentences with pauses. While calm and assertive, it’s in conflict with John. The pauses are important; they make you feel this is hard for Homer; that this is the first time he’s ever really stood up to his father.

HOMER HICKAM and his father JOHN are in their basement. JOHN looks at the rocket that HOMER and his friends have constructed.

JOHN: I can't even begin to tell you how proud of you I've been these past weeks. You just been doin' a hell of a job in that mine. You keep goin', you're gonna have my job someday. Everybody says so. You got any idea how proud that would make me? I guess what I'm sayin' is that, if this rocket stuff is so important to you, then so be it, as long as you're careful. Guess there's worse hobbies you could have. But skippin' work, that's out of line. And you got to know that.

JOHN starts to leave the basement. To him, the matter's settled.

JOHN: So, let's go and get you right with Jake. Tell him you'll work the hoot owl shift tonight.

HOMER: No.

JOHN stops on the staircase.

HOMER: The coal mine's your life. It's not mine.

JOHN looks at HOMER.

HOMER: I'm never goin' down there again.

HOMER pauses.

HOMER: I wanna go into space.

October Sky (film)(1999)

Here’s the full scene from the film October Sky.
The YouTube clip goes for about two and a half minutes.

The film is based on the 1998 novel Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam.
The same book has also been published as October Sky, because of the film’s success.

Here is an example, using this photo as a starting point.

ANTONIA and her long-time friend KIM are sitting at a coffee shop. They watch the popular group from their school walk past on their way to the jetty, laughing and chatting.

ANTONIA: I’m doing it, Kim. I’m gonna join them.

KIM: What!?! Are you crazy? Okay, I’m your friend, so let me hit you with some hard facts. First up, you’re invisible to those guys. I mean, I think you’re okay, but you know you’re not hot like them. And don’t tell me you’ll win them over with your personality either because you ain’t no stand up comedian, you know?

ANTONIA looks down, shoulders droop.

KIM: I mean... look at them Toni! They know the best people, have the best clothes, and throw the best parties. What can you contribute to that? You have no place with these people. I mean, you don’t even like parties!

A WAITRESS comes up with the bill. KIM pays and stands up, ready to go.

KIM (change of tack): Hey, I was thinking... that new Stephen King novel is out today. Maybe we should swing by Danni’s Books and —

ANTONIA (looks up, quiet, but resolute): — I said I’m gonna join them.

KIM stops.

KIM: Look... I love ya Toni, you know that. But if you go down that jetty, I’m not joining you. You’re on your own on this one. I’m serious.

ANTONIA stands up and they stare each other down. KIM breaks eye contact first.

KIM: Fine. Your funeral. You know where I’ll be. But don’t expect me to mop up your tears when they prove to you I’m right!

KIM storms away. ANTONIA watches her leave, then turns in the opposite direction. She breaks out a smile as she runs to the jetty.

Since this is a memoir, it's about one person's point of view. At the end of the example, we don't see how Kim reacts to Antonia leaving, because it's Antonia's story.

We only see how Antonia feels, which is liberated.

Now it’s your turn.

If you’re writing from your own experience, think of a time where you’ve disagreed with someone and write it out as a film script.

Whether you write from experience or create something based on the photo, be sure to tweak the dialogue so that there’s a difference in how your speakers talk. The easiest way is to have one person talk a lot while the other says little (like the snippet), or one is calm while the other is upset (like the example), but you might think of a different way to do this.

Just a reminder…

As we’ve said before, remember that this will be read by others, so consider your audience and the people you write about. We want your writing to be about a conflict, not to cause a conflict!

Write a scene featuring a conflict, based on your experiences or on the picture.

Memoir Genre (Middle Years)

Conflict in dialogue