Which is more important to you?

The dialogue of a story, or the actual storytelling/worldbuilding part?

Also, I'm finally back. Missed you guys. :3

Comments

[-Brutus]

Both, when it blends perfectly.

[Cursori]

When you worlbuild through dialogue!

I'm not really helping, am I?

[Aridifolia]

You were missed as well, I'm sure. Good to see ya back.

As for what I prefer, it depends on the genre. I lean more towards the storytelling and world building, though.

[Scootaloser]

Well, dialogue is a big part of storytelling, but as for which is "more important" I'd say it really depends on the type of story you're trying to tell.

[ChaoticHarmony]

I like to see the dialogue more. As my play director often likes to say, "A pretty set means nothing if the characters aren't there."

Y'know?

Also, YES YOU ARE BACK!!!1oneone!!!!!11

[LEPShot]

Well, it's all contextual, like Scootaloser said. I've written two stories in which dialogue was not necessary in order to have a complete view of the events, and others that would be laughed to Fanfiction Hell if I didn't have characters speaking to convey thoughts and whatnot. But, if you held a gun to my head and forced me to choose, I'd say worldbuilding.

995159
While this is true, a play can have characters that don't speak, can it not?

[ChaoticHarmony]

995846 I also consider character interaction as dialogue, because they are talking through actions :V

[LEPShot]

995866
I apologize, then. I know nothing of plays and theater and was not aware that all interaction was dialogue.

[ChaoticHarmony]

995879 It isn't really considered such in Theater, I as a person consider that to be so

[LEPShot]

995901
imagemacros.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/you_lied.jpg?w=720

[ChaoticHarmony]

995909 No I didn't I said that I consider it...

Blagh

[Flutterguy 26]

I think that it's a square and rectangle scenario. You can't have truly compelling dialogue without an effective atmosphere and story; yet you can pull off successful world/story building without particularly stellar dialogue.