Writing a good monologue

For me, writing a monologue is a real tough business. I like to use minimal number od spoken words in my scripts, and my characters never give lectures. So it always seems contrived when I put a monologue in their mouth. Unless, of course, I do it good. And there are ways to write a good monologue.

What is a monologue, and why do we need it?

the whole idea is that monologue consists of change. The character's emotions are changing, or its ability to express it changes. So we don't get a lecture, we get drama. Inner drama covered by words. The use of monologue lets us expose the character, even if the words are just a disguise. Also, a monologue in the right moment in the script can get the theme on the surface. Don't make it too obvious, though. Let it be found.

The Four Emotions

You thought humans are complex, think again. At the end there are only four basic emotions you need to deal with: Happiness, Sadness, Fear and Anger. All other emotions are a combination of two or more of those four. Just like a painter, mix and match the basic emotions to touch your character's wound and transfer it through the journey of the script, the scene, the monologue.