An (imaginary) reader writes in with the following question:

Dear Papa Hari,

I am a new script writer for television soap operas and serials. What advice would you give me? I currently feel very uninspired and cannot write good dialogues. How should I go about rectifying this problem?

Regards, Uninspired Writer

Dear Uninspired Writer,

The key to writing for television serials is to use 10 words where 1 would suffice. Let us take a scenario and analyze. You need to write a farewell dialogue between two characters and you need to stretch it for the last five minutes in order to conclude the episode. Most common newbies to script writing make this mistake.

Mistaken approach

Character 1: Goodbye, friend.
Character 2: Yeah, goodbye...
(Both of them shake hands and leave)

The above will not fit into a ten minute slot. Now you need to think of creative ways to extend this in even more meaningless ways as follows.

Correct approach

Character 1: Goodbye, my friend.
Character 2: Goodbye, my dearest friend. I will miss you...
Character 1: I will also miss you. You spoke truly, my friend.
Character 2: Yes, you also spoke truthfully, my friend. Truth is such a great thing.
Character 1: Isn't it? Truth is indeed a great thing.
Character 2: (Sobbing) Yes... yes... (slowly) Goodbye, and all the best...
Character 1: (Sobbing) Yes... yes... indeed. Ahh... (slowly) Aaaaaaaahhh...
Character 2: Aaaaaaaaahh... (hugs character 1)
Character 1: Ahahahahaha... my friend... goodbye...
Character 2: Goodbye... That's right. It's goodbye for now.
Character 1: Ahhhahahaha... my dear friend, you spoke so truly. It is indeed goodbye for now...
Character 2: (Slowly) So... (wiping tears) that's all is it?
Character 1: Yes, that's all...
Character 2: Do you feel sad now at our parting?
Character 1: Indeed, I do feel very sad at our parting...
Character 2: Never mind, my friend. It's not that bad, is it?
Character 1: Yes, it's not that bad.
Character 2: Good that we agree on that, my friend.
Character 1: Yes, it's a good thing isn't it?
Character 2: Then see you at the office tomorrow, my dear friend.
Character 1: Indeed, we shall meet at the office as usual, my good friend... Goodbye...
Character 2: Goodbye...

You will go far. Very far indeed. In fact, you will go extremely far in your chosen career. May God bless you and may the luck be with you. Indeed, I sincerely hope that you will be a great script writer for mega serials and soap operas on television. Once again, Papa Hari showers his blessings upon you. So do well in your careeer of choice. Indeed, you must do well to be a great script writer in the soap opera field because you need to have a way with words. It's not just the words; it's how you use them. Indeed to be a good script writer you need to say the things you keep saying again and again and again and yet again if needed. Don't just repeat for the sake of repetition - just repeat for the sake of repetition. Indeed, repetition is the key here. It is indeed a great key to success in your chosen career.

Best of luck. All the best. Good luck and may you do well in your chosen profession, career or whatever you choose to call it.

Good luck.

Regards,

Papa Hari

P.S. Bye for now
P.P.S. Till we meet again.