Your Character Doesn't Have Spellcheck

"What do you think we should do?""I think we should leave.""Where do you you think we should go?""We should go to South America."Now try:"Wha' do we do?""Leave.""Where?""South."Contrary to what your fifth grade teacher taught you, a question should not always be answered with a complete sentence. What's more, a question should not always be answered with anything resembling correct English. If your character's father has just died, do you think that the rules of a declarative clause will be held sacred? Empathize with your character.But don't violate the most important rule of writing: empathize with your reader. Too many umms or pauses or grammatical errors in the name of "realism" lose your reader's attention. Your reader wants you to succeed. They want to believe that your story will lead them somewhere important. Your writing should promise them that you value their attention and that you will respect their time and reward their effort. So balance what your character would say against what your reader will be happy to hear.Empathy is the key.***Getting Started: 5Character: 5Point of View and Tone: 5Plot and Narrative: 5Dialogue and Voice: 4Descriptive Language and Setting: 4Revision: 4Overall: 4*Level 4*