At the special request of an Author’s Atlas reader, this article series will focus on one of the most crucial aspects of writing: dialogue.
If you’ve ever researched the craft of dialogue before, you’ve likely noticed how many “rules” there seem to be. In general, I’m not a fan of rules because writing is such a personal and creative process, and there are always exceptions. That’s what makes writing so fun and unique.
With that said, dialogue can be a tricky aspect of writing to master, so it can be helpful to follow some guidelines at the beginning. Here are the top five dialogue guidelines I give my clients:
- Skip the Pleasantries
In real life, conversations often start with small talk and pleasantries. However, in writing, these can slow down your narrative and bore your readers. Jump straight into the meat of the conversation to keep your readers engaged. - Keep Dialogue Realistic but Purposeful
Dialogue should mimic real speech but be more focused and purposeful. Avoid unnecessary filler words and tangents. Every line of dialogue should serve a purpose, whether it’s advancing the plot, revealing character, or building tension. - Show Character Through Speech
Your characters’ personalities, backgrounds, and emotions should be reflected in their speech. Use unique speech patterns, vocabulary, and tone to differentiate characters and show who they are through how they talk. - Keep It Concise
Long-winded speeches can lose readers’ interest. Keep your dialogue concise and to the point. Break up longer pieces of dialogue with action beats or internal thoughts to maintain a good pace and keep readers engaged. - Use Subtext
Subtext is the underlying meaning behind the words spoken. Good dialogue often has layers of meaning, with characters saying one thing but meaning another. This adds depth and complexity to your characters and their interactions.
The subsequent posts in this article series will dive deeper into each of these guidelines and their importance. In the next post, we’ll take closer look at why and how to skip the pleasantries in dialogue.
Have a specific aspect of dialogue you’d like me to cover? Send me a message here! Or, if you know someone who’s been wanting to learn more about dialogue, share this article with them.
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