There is such a deep pleasure in conversation – the old-fashioned face to face kind. I assumed it would be with us forever and ever … until today.

Today we were discussing children’s literature and the role of dialogue in it. Various examples were shared, and the skill of the writers soon became obvious. In only a few lines, sometimes just a few words, or even a shrug of the shoulders characters came alive, and plot crept tighter. The more we read, the more in awe we were of the hand-picked genius presented to us.

“When I started writing I was told that about 70% of a middle grade book would be dialogue,” our teacher told us.

70%! How did they do it? We analysed and learned, seeing what we’d never noticed before.

“You can always pick up speech patterns and tips from listening to conversations on public transport,” our teacher added, as our lesson neared its end. “Although,” she sighed, “everyone is on their mobiles these days.”

The thought hit me in the heart. She was right. The whole world was going quiet. Might we lose the art of talking to each other in person?

For me the idea is almost too extraordinary to comprehend. I hope it never comes to be.

Copyright Georgie Knaggs & The Phraser 2023