Is it professional to put a lot of content in a dialog line?

Dear writers,

This is what I mean:

"One sentence. Next Sentence. Next Sentence. Next Sentence." Bob turned around and took the largest slice of pizza (or other dialog beat). "One sentence. Next Sentence. Next Sentence. Next Sentence."

Then Jim says something:"One sentence. Next Sentence. Next Sentence. Next Sentence. Next Sentence." Jim goes after Bob taking his slice of Pizza away (or other dialog beat). "One sentence. Next Sentence. Next Sentence. Next Sentence."

Do you get the idea? My characters are very chatty. I guess they have that from me, haha.

How many sentences may a character speak in one breath of air?

 

I think every comma and period (ETC) is a pause for a breath, so you should be fine.

 

Read them out loud. Or have somebody else read the lines out loud to you. That should tell you right away if they sound plausible.

 

I personally don't see the problem. I have written many dialogues like that and have also seen it in books. The only time I ever skip over reading long dialogues like that is if I feel like they are talking on and on about pointlessness. Other than that go for it! Some characters/people have a lot to say.

 

Thanks!!!!

 

Thanks, Jannert, I forget this often. I'll keep lines read out in mind.

 

Hi Baby, thanks for your sound advice. I truly appreciate it.

 

And happy Valentines Day to you all!

 

Happy valentines day!!! To you and everybody!

 

Read it out loud and also try not to fall into patterns. You want to have a natural back and forth but it can't look too regimented. I like to make sure the sentences are mixed up with long, short and really short.
Kinda like -
"Lookit all these toppings! Awesome, dude. I'm gonna let you pick the restaurants from now on." Bob turned around and took the largest slice of pizza. Chewing he said, "Glmeeoos somorfs noathmeis sthe sluff."
"Come man swallow before you speak. You know how disgusting you look with all that crap slopping around in your mouth. Look an olive just dropped out. Sick! I don't know why I go anywhere with you." Jim grabbed his slice of pizza and took a huge bite. "Mrrhsof of aof he sbnllahie!"

 

It's probably more effective if you do this for only certain characters, and especially if counterpointed with a character who responds with only a few words, if at all. That way, the wordiness becomes a character trait.

 

Yeah. Dialogue is such a great way to illustrate personality. If all characters in a story speak more or less the same, that effect is lost.

 

I agree, not falling into patterns is important, Peachalulu. Your dialog is great and funny!

 

Wise words, Jannert, as always.

 

Cognito, yes, some rambling characters are fun, like the donkey in Shrek.