5 Tips to Make Dialogue POP

Yesterday was the Fourth of July. Many celebrated by popping their own fireworks or watching experts pop them making beautiful displays of fire and light. Writing dialogue filled with a fiery pop challenges every fiction writer.

 A couple of weeks ago, I attended a 4-day Immersion with psychologist, writer, world-acclaimed teacher, Margie Lawson. I returned home with my mind popping with ideas. Today, I’d like to give you my key take-back-to use tips from that workshop.

 

A big percent of dialogue is silent.

1. How does your character sound?  Is he loud? Does she speak with throaty, sultry undertones? When a person speaks, we listen to how they say something as much as we listen for the actual words.

“Charles” can become a question, an endearment, or a cry of fear. On the paper, how would I know, if I don’t explain how the dialogue is delivered? If I’m scared, I might write it like:

     “Charles.” The tone she used sounded like the squeal of a tornado alarm.

 

 If I’m telling of my love, you would see something like:

    “Charles.” The lilt of my words seemed to wash over him like a bubble bath.

2. What’s your character’s body language?  He might shift with nervousness or cross his arms over his chest, but I doubt he stands still. Show us what he looks like while he speaks. For ideas, watch people in a waiting room. They thumb through magazines. They cross and swing their right leg. They shift positions several times. They clasp hands and roll their thumbs in a circular motion. Study body language at a mall, an airport, or a library.

 

     3. Is there action going on while they talk? People often work while they talk. They may continue

        to saddle a horse, or wash the dishes. They may move closer into their friend’s face. Do they

        skip, run, or do calisthenics while they answer, in which case, they are probably breathless?

 

      4. Do you want your character to smile? Good. What does the smile look like? Is it a brilliant,

         thousand-watt smile or one that’s bittersweet, disappointed, sad?

 

      5. Describe your character. The first time you “meet” the character, the reader needs to visualize

          the person.

With glasses perched on her tousled-blonde head, she twisted her mouth in a lost-

                        in-thought reflection. “That might work.”

            Or, you may know the character, but need to see the effects on their looks later in the book.

            This is a good place for similes or alliteration to heighten the description, such as:

                    “I wish I could do that.” Her face relaxed like a prune soaking in water.

 

I hope my take-home tips spur your imagination to add pizzazz or pop or potential to your prose. Don’t forget the non-verbal communication. I would love to read your examples.