Writing realistic dialogue doesn’t
come easily to everyone. In fact, most people have to work to refine dialogue
to advance the story, to flesh out characters, and provide a break from
narration — realistically and believably.
Believable dialogue is a powerful
component of writing that helps draw the reader into the story or presentation.
However, bad dialogue can lose the readers faster than almost any other problem
with the writing.
So how can a writer make believable dialogue? First of all, observe and note the world around us
(watch and listen and take notes). Choose
right details – believable/real. Dialogue in writing needs to help develop characters and/or move the plot forward.
Then use some of the following tips to help make dialogue "real" in writing:
Use different speech
patterns or varieties – only a sample or taste rather than make the reader struggle through too much of a good thing. The dialogue needs to be understandable.
Slang
Dialect
Formal
Semi-formal
Other
patterns
The
manner of speech – reveals
personality and emotions, don’t have to use as a dialogue tag, but as a comment about the manner of the character's speech.
Murmur
Shout
Advise
Console
Whine
Brag
Write distinctive dialogue with each character
different.
Have actions
tied closely to dialogue. As
speaker talks, add action:
1. Action
before dialogue: The
detective studied the crowd. “The killer is out there.”
2. Action
after dialogue: “How
can you tell?” His partner searched the faces
around
them.
3. Action
during dialogue: “Where
else would he hide,” the detective pointed at the circling
helicopters, “with all escape routes covered?”
Have dialogue show what is happening “Why
did you tear off the cover?”
Don’t have to use “said” as the only
tag for dialogue.Use a
variety but appropriate tags
Don’t have to use tags at all. Use
action not tied directly to dialogue to identify speaker: Karen
glared at him. “I hate that picture of you.”
“You
never told me.” Richard picked the torn cover off the floor.
How does a person practice dialogue? One way to write a story in dialogue only, internal and oral dialogue. Below is a copy of a story I wrote for a contest, dialogue only, something about a debt repaid, and in 500 or fewer words:
“Mom,
please, I don’t want to go.”
“For
goodness sakes, Tina, you always liked parties, and this reunion is going to be
the biggest party since you graduated. Why, you haven’t seen but maybe two of
your classmates since that night ten years ago.”
“There’s a reason. I … I need to
look forward, not back. I want to make new memories, good ones. All I have of
graduation are … are bad ones.”
“You surely have outgrown all that.”
“Don’t shake your head at me, Mom.
That night is sheared into my brain. Don’t you care what happened?”
“Of course, I care, and I hurt for
you. I also know you need to face those kids. Yes, face the kids when you face
the adults they’ve become. Everyone knows the truth now, in fact did within
weeks.”
“You aren’t going to let me not go,
are you? You’ll nag me until I’ll wish I had.”
“If that’s what it takes. Please,
honey, it’s for your sake, for your good. They all know the ‘you’ seen in
public. They know you’re a success. Now face them down.”
“What choice do I have?”
“None.”
At
least the reunion is at the community center, not the gym. I can do this. Just
one step in front of the other, just like doing down the runway, ignore the
stares, go into my own world, be glamorous Trina.
“Trina Albright! Is it really you?”
“Uh, yes, I believe it’s really me.”
Wish the names on the badges weren’t so
small. “And you’re?”
“Carrie Austin. Come on, you
remember me.”
No,
no, no, not her, not the first person I see.
“Remember you? Yes, I guess I do,
vaguely. How are you doing?” Tried to
destroy anyone else lately?
“I’m doing all right. Of course
everyone knows how well you’re doing, big name model and all. Are you sure you
just ‘vaguely’ remember me?”
“Why? Why does it matter if I
remember you or not?” Oh, my, she thinks
she remained an important part of my life. Mom’s right. “I’m afraid I left
high school behind me, and I’ve only kept up with a few close friends.”
“Trina, umm, I owe you an apology. I
started that rumor. I, well, I hated you.”
“Hated me? Strange, you were the
most popular girl in school. Why try to hurt me?”
“Yes, you were smart, gorgeous, and
would leave here and become something. I was the one pregnant and stuck here
forever. I … I wanted to see you again, to pay my debt to you. I mean I’ve told
other people what I did, but I needed to apologize to you. Please, forgive me.”
“Of course, Carrie, I was hurt,
deeply hurt, but time soon revealed the truth. And, the people who mattered always
believed in me.” And I was too dense to
realize the truth myself. Thanks, Mom. “Consider your debt paid.”
Try your hand at writing in dialogue only. See if you discover more about dialogue than you realized.
I've performed exercises like this in the past and found them very helpful. Thanks for reminding me to practice.
ReplyDeleteOne of the 4RV authors, Holly Jahangiri, introduced me to the idea, and I have used writing in dialogue
ReplyDeletefrom time to time since.
Great tips. Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteHope you find them helpful.
ReplyDeleteVivian, thanks for the dialogue tips. I've written in dialogue only and it is interesting.
ReplyDelete