Welcome back to our dialogue series! In our last posts, we discussed the importance of skipping pleasantries and provided an overview of effective dialogue guidelines. Today, we’ll dive into the balance between realism and purpose in dialogue writing, which is crucial for creating engaging narratives.
The Balance Between Realism and Purpose
Balancing realism with purpose in dialogue writing is essential. While it’s important for dialogue to sound natural, it must also serve a purpose within the narrative. Capturing the natural flow of conversation while ensuring that each line contributes to character development, plot advancement, or thematic depth is the key to writing compelling dialogue. In addition, overly realistic dialogue can include filler words and irrelevant details that bog down the story.
Realistic Dialogue
Realistic dialogue captures the natural flow of conversation. This includes the use of contractions, colloquialisms, and speech patterns that reflect real speech. For instance, characters might use slang or regional dialects that add authenticity to their voices. Consider the difference in speech between a Gen Z and an older millennial, for example. However, it’s essential to strike a balance to avoid overwhelming the reader with too much vernacular.
Purposeful Dialogue
Every line of dialogue should serve a specific purpose. Purposeful dialogue reveals character traits, advances the plot, or provides essential information. Instead of engaging in small talk (like we talked about in last week’s email), focus on dialogue that drives the story forward and keeps readers engaged.
For example:
“Did you get the documents?” Mark asked.
Jane nodded. “Yes, but there’s a problem. They’re missing the key signature.”
This dialogue advances the plot by introducing a problem that the characters must address, keeping the readers interested.
Techniques for Achieving Realistic yet Purposeful Dialogue
- Edit Out Filler Words: Remove unnecessary fillers while retaining a natural flow. Words like um, uh, and like can be minimized without losing authenticity.
- Read Aloud: Reading dialogue aloud helps you check for natural flow and realism. If it sounds awkward when spoken, it likely needs revision.
- Listen to Real Conversations: Observe and listen to real-life conversations for inspiration. This can help you capture the nuances of speech that make dialogue feel authentic.
- Revise with Purpose: Review each line of dialogue to ensure it serves a specific purpose in the story. Ask yourself if it reveals character, advances the plot, or provides essential information.
After incorporating these techniques, reflect on your current manuscript. Assess the balance between realistic and purposeful dialogue. Consider the following questions:
– Is the pacing improved by eliminating unnecessary small talk?
– Is the dialogue engaging and dynamic?
– Does the dialogue introduce or clarify key conflicts or themes?
– Does the dialogue build tension or release it where necessary within the narrative?
Reflecting on these questions can help you fine-tune your dialogue and ensure it enhances your narrative.
Balancing realism and purpose in your dialogue is crucial for maintaining reader engagement and driving your story forward. In our next post, we’ll discuss the importance of showing character through speech.
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.
For personalized guidance on your manuscript’s dialogue, request an editorial assessment or schedule a writing coaching session.
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