Dialogue Tips

Tips on credible dialogue.

PROBLEM:

Many people have problems with dialogue. How would your protagonist speak, how would you're ex- convict, gone lunatic ramble about. I'm not saying it's easy, because it's definitely not, but it's also not very hard. Here's a few tips........

1. Listen to people.

In movies, in novels, in real life, just listen to how people speak, how they act, their mannerisms. If you go out, and just sit on a bench, you have the ability to listen to what anyone nearby is saying. Try it, it'll help.

2. What would you say?

Sometimes it's a grand idea to just pipe up, think about what you would say. Listen to your mind, and put yourself in your character's position, transitioning your mind into his or hers, even if they're felons or vandals. Not only will it help, but it's also a fun technique. Not tedious at all.

3. Just write, fix later.

If you think you're dialogue is a bit nonsensical, a bit sketchy, just leave it be. Later, when you're editing is the time to change anything.

Comments

Kachme

Posted 13 Years Ago this is very helpful, thank you.

Mike Lamb

Posted 14 Years Ago "What would you say" is a solid tip, and it's also a good way to sharpen your wits. If someone tells a bad joke or struggles to find a comeback to an insult, imagine what they should or could have said. Because you're not the one in the spotlight, you can take your time and examine all the different choices in wording. If you do this enough, witty dialogue exchanges between characters should become second nature to you.

PickledEel

Posted 15 Years Ago Just write, fix later - the mantra of Stephen King. Until I took this up I was too bogged down in research details.

ZaZa	Posted 15 Years Ago Thanks for the tips, they helped.

Erica

Posted 15 Years Ago Great tips!!!! I also act my dialogue out. It may sound silly but, it does help. I write down what I want said and print out a couple of copies. If you enlist the help of your friend(s) or relatives you can see their normal reactions and gestures to what they are saying. It's actually a lot of fun for all and very helpful for the writer.

Satellite Heart

Posted 15 Years Ago Thanks for the tips. I'm glad they added this to writers cafe.