Do, Do, Do, Da, Da, Da: The Day The Police Taught Me About Character Dialog

Back in the 1980s, Missing Persons asked in their deconstructionist anthem “Words” the important question: “What are words for when no one listens anymore?” Two years prior, though, The Police had their huge hit “Do, Do, Do, Da, Da, Da” where they answered the question with: “Poets, priests, and politicians have words to thank for their positions.”

I never really thought much about that line, just chalking it up to another triplet of alliteration (one of my favorite tools to use when writing). But, after years of telling stories, I see that there was something there I hadn’t noticed before, something that has been a part of my writing toolbox all these years even if I didn’t acknowledge it as such. 

What are words for?

Words are for distinguishing and differentiating characters. That’s what words are for. 

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https://seanhtaylor.blogspot.com/2023/11/do-do-do-da-da-da-day-police-taught-me.html