Dialogue Writing

Mr. Ryan turned away from his cooking pan on the stove, only to see his wife coming up to hug him. “Oh, please honey, not now! I want to get these potatoes finished before the kids storm in!”1

“Oh, yes, we must please the children!” Mrs. Ryan said in a mocking voice.2

"Well, just think of it this way honey, after the kids eat, then it’s the grown-ups turn. My stomach been churning itself like a beater since this morning!”3

Just then, Mr. Ryan’s daughter, Mary, came bustling into the room with a camera in her fingers. As the kitchen door to the living room shut behind her, Mr. Ryan could hear the screaming and playing of his grandchildren. “Come on Dad, just one picture with you and Mom! It’ll be for the family album. No dad, you can spare a few minutes from that fabulous cooking of yours.”4

Mr. Ryan, laughing at his daughter’s sarcastic remark, started running his wrinkled fingers through his hair. “But Mary, I look like the chicken that just got electrocuted down at  Mr. Ridley’s farm!”5

“Come on, Dad! You look fine!” Mary retorted, “Now, Mom, you just go and stand a little behind Mr. Chicken over there... That’s perfect. Dad, stop fiddling with your hair!” She gave her father a vicious and impatient frown.6

“Oh, all right, all right!” He laughed, submitting to his daughter’s requests.7

“I hope this turns out alright.” Mrs. Ryan blurted, “Mary, darling, would you like me to open the window, let a bit more light in?” Mary sighed impatiently as Mrs. Ryan slid open the curtain window. Although, she had to admit, it was much better like that. “That’s better.”8

Mary laughed at her Mother-in-Law’s perfectionist attitude. “OK everybody, say cheese!” Just that moment, Mr. Ryan pulled his spatula up from the stove and held it in a professional chef pose.9

“Cheese!” They cried at the same time.10