It is Saturday again and time for a little Stream of Consciousness. This week’s prompt is “bus.” Yeah that’s it, “bus.” Linda Hill says we can use it anyway we want and even include it in a word or words. Well, this prompt make me hot. I can hardly wait to get going. If you want to join in go to Linda’s site and read the words of wisdom there. Here is the link. https://lindaghill.com/2016/09/23/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-sept-2416/
Bus by John W. Howell ©2016
“I read a post by some erudite author that unattributed dialog is not the thing use to start a story.”
“Oh yeah. What does he know.”
“Hey he’s a big deal. Okay, I never heard of him but he sure was full of himself.”
“So why are you starting this story with unattributed dialog?”
“I guess you can call me a rebel. Anyway, how I start a story is none of his business.”
“You are pathetic you know that?”
“What do you mean?”
“The way you worked business into the conversation. Bus is in business.”
“Honest mistake. One other thing. There was a group of literary snobs who visited some of these posts and thought the unattributed dialog was not proper.”
“What do you mean not proper.”
“Well you know there was the absence of “He said,” and other attributions.”
“So? Do they know how hard it is to have a story make sense without attributions? Did they understand you do it on purpose since people never say, “He said,”in conversations?”
“Naw. They just said I was not eligible to join their organization.”
“Sounds like you were bushwhacked. Do you care?”
“I’m too busy to care.Well, maybe a little.”
“Well I’m sure the busiest is the best.”
“I think we are through with this subject. how about a beer?”
“How about a bushel? See what I did there?”
“Let’s go Ace.”
Fiction Favorites 
LOL… some of us don’t do what you do, because we don’t know how. 🙂
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ha ha ha. You are the best. Hugs.
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LOL, well done, John. I always say you are a master of dialog. I don’t know if it still is, but for a while”unattributed dialog” was the only way to go. But I’m perfectly honest in saying that you are one of only a few (even big time writers) who can use it without confusing me. Elsewhere I usually give up after half a dozen lines.
You’re doing it right, my friend.
Great use of”bus” too. Have a sensational Saturday. Mega hugs
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Thank you so much, Teagan. In my books I do use limited attributions since there can be a confusion factor. These short stories are for practice and if not confusing then I’ve hit it. If confusing then i’ve missed. Super Saturday to you. 🙂
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LOL! Very well done, John. Happy Saturday!
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Thanks, Jill. Happy Saturday to you. *Sung to the tune of “Look Away” by Chicago. 🙂
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🙂
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Never had a problem readying your unattributed dialogs. Now, where can I get one of these beer bushels?
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Ha ha ha. Thanks, Charles.
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I was talking to myself, and he said “John has a pretty good post today.” I’m with Charles, where do I get my bushel of beer?
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Maybe we’ll have to invent the BEER BUSHEL
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You don’t need to invent it, just put 64 pints in one container. Voila; a bushel of beer.
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Excellent. Thank you, Dale. (you sure a bushel is 64 pints?)
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bushel
ˈbʊʃ(ə)l/
noun
1.
BRITISH
a measure of capacity equal to 8 gallons (equivalent to 36.4 litres), used for corn, fruit, liquids, etc.
2.
US
a measure of capacity equal to 64 US pints (equivalent to 35.2 litres), used for dry goods.
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I knew I could count on you to be exact. WELL DONE!!!!! Let’s go with the British since it is a liquid measure.
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No problem.
Umm, while I’m here, I don’t suppose I could prevail upon your professional opinion for a spot of advice, could I?
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Of course. Shoot it over.
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I sent it on Fb messenger, I couldn’t find your e-mail
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I answered
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Got it, cheers. ;~}
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🙂
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I firmly believe in trying out new things. Unattributed dialog takes skill and testing it out is the only way to learn it. I wrote one like this for Macabre Macaroni this October. You’re the master, and I hope it measures up.
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*Blush* Still learning. Thanks, Craig. Yours will be great. Can’t wait for October.
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Fingers crossed.
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🙂
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The conversations that must go on in your head… 🙂
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You have no idea. “Wait! Did you hear that person?”
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The one standing on the fence? Yep 🙂
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Ha ha ha. 😀
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Seems to me many authors nowadays do not use attributions. And it is awkward to be contstantly adding them in the dialog.
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So true, Deborah. Thank you.
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