|
How to Write
Dialogue
Writing persuasive
dialogue in fiction is an art. The words characters speak should
ring true to the reader.
Help Writing
Dialogue: Dialogue Mistakes & Formatting Techniques
 Don't
stuff information into dialogue. Readers take notice when
communication between characters is forced.
- "Are you seen Tommy the guy who used to sing at the local
bar, but then he gave up singing when his mother died in a drunk
driving accident."
Wasting space with
back and forth hellos.
"Hey, Virginia."
"What's going on?"
"You know how it is. Same old same old."
Using
your voice or tone in your character's dialogue.
"I wanted to yank that piece of candy right out of her mouth.
But since there's so much violence against women I didn't. Instead I
told Miss. Jones that Sarah was breaking a class rule."
Never
use dialogue exposition. That's clumsy writing.
"I saw Simon yesterday," said Mike.
"What was it that he said the other day?" asked Debbie.
"He told me that he'd return to Kentucky when he made it to
NYC."
When
you write a scene of dialogue, don't overuse dialogue tags. Once you
made it clear who is talking in the scene, readers can decipher
which character is speaking.
Mark's legs were
heavy from standing on his feet all day. "I'm heading up to
bed," he told Tammi.
"You're doing everything you can to avoid the talk."
"I know it seems that way, but my legs are aching."
"Well, you don't need your legs to talk. I'll climb into bed
with you and we can hash this out tonight."
Final Comment on
How to Write Dialogue
Good dialogue
advances the story or allows the reader to get a better
understanding of your characters. Writing dialogue that captures the
interest of readers may take a few drafts.
| 