Dialogue examples

The Writing Coach

    “Nietzsche thought God's boredom after the seventh day of creation would be a great subject to write about.  Give that a try.’”
    “That’s plagiarism.”
    “Nietzsche is dead, he won’t mind.”
    “But the subject is sacrilegious.”
    “God won’t mind.”
    “Why not?”
    “According to Nietzsche, he’s dead too.”
    “Probably bored to death.”
    “There you go, an excellent place to start.”
    “What else is there to say?”
    “What, for instance, did God do to relieve his boredom?”
    “Apparently nothing, if he’s dead.”
    “Okay, forget that I said he’s dead.”
    “You said Nietzsche said he’s dead.”
    “Okay, forget that Nietzsche said he’s dead.”
    “Is Nietzsche really dead?”
    “Good God, yes, not a word since the year 1900.”
    “It could be a case of writer’s block.”
    “Excellent, another subject to break your dry spell.  Try that one.”
    “A writer with writer’s block writing about writer’s block?”
    “What’s wrong with that?”
    “Anything I wrote would be proof that I don’t have writer’s block.”
    “You’re killing me with these excuses.”
    “At least you’re not bored.”

The Involuntary Housing Market

    “Congratulations, we’ve had a very good offer on your house!”
    “You must be mistaken, my house isn’t for sale.”
    “It wasn’t when we listed it.”
    “You put my home on the market without my permission?”
    “Don’t you want to hear the offer?”
    “Absolutely not!”
    “You’re not even curious?”
    “I should be furious.  My house is none of your business.”
    “Actually, our business -- Reluctant Real Estate -- specializes in properties like yours.”
    “Have you gone mad?”
    “Careful, you’re crossing that fine line between reluctant and belligerent.”
    “Why should I care about the difference?”
    “The buyer often doubles the offer when the seller is reluctant, but belligerence tends to be a deal breaker.”
    “Doubles the offer?”
    “Doubles the offer.”
    “Well, I don’t really want to sell.”
    “That’s much better.”
    “Where would I live?”
    “Now you’re talking.  The buyer must accommodate these logistics.”
    “Are you saying I’d be rich if I sold this house?”
    “Possibly, possibly, we mustn’t look anxious.”
    “I can’t believe I’m still talking to you.  This must be a scam.”
    “Skepticism is the ugly stepsister of reluctance.”
    “Stepsister?  No way, I live here alone.”
    “And loneliness is a lien that must be paid