top of page
Search
Thane Attor

How to Write Better Dialogue: A Few Simple Tips

It's that time of year again. I love it. The snow. The chill in the air. Being unable to get out of your driveway because it's too muddy... Well maybe not that one. But as you may have noticed, I got to go snowboarding. Something that has gotten me through some dark times. And I have to admit I was disappointed in my skills, but next time for sure.

As a little side note: It is really important to have hobbies outside of writing.. and reading. Something not directly word related, and preferably something active, since both of those are sitting hobbies. Mine is snowboarding, and rock climbing. If you don't have a hobby like that, go out and try one. I tried a lot before I found one I liked, no- loved. I tried horseback riding, parkour, archery, swimming, and probably a few others before I found the ones I do now.

Though I didn't cook up something special like Vira did on Christmas day, hopefully you will learn something from this post. (But also her post was pretty great and you should for sure check it out here.)

Now so my actual topic...

"Dialogue is not just quotation. It is grimaces, pauses, adjustments of blouse buttons, doodles on a napkin, and crossings of legs." ~ Jerome Stern

Lets jump right in.

1: Eavesdrop

So this word is actually really interesting. It started literally. It meant the water from eaves. But it later, which is how we know it, came to mean someone who stood within the eavesdrop of a house to overhear a conversation.

This is also illegal in some states.

If you struggle with conversation, listening to how other people talk is really helpful. People don't info dump in conversation. People don't use names all that much. It's sometimes makes no sense to you because you don't have the background info they do. They might use slang to a specific sum-culture they are part of.

Coffee shops, libraries, parks. There are so many good eavesdropping locations. My favorite is at the MHCC library, where I attend. I have overheard some really interesting conversations as I study. And that may sound creepy, but hey, can't blame me for people talking REALLY loudly. Or... err. maybe you can. Idk. But the point is, eavesdropping is good dialogue practice, and also can give you some good story inspiration, or character inspiration.

Have some fun with it.. But also respect peoples' privacy.

2: Tv shows/Movies

People talk quite a bit in movies and tv shows. (though there are those few that don't, like Quiet. Which you can learn so much from!) And it can be a great tool to help you figure out dialogue in a less creepy way than above. You still get to watch people... but in a way that doesn't seem as stalkerish.

Since I really love dialogue, it's really fun for me to watch tv shows. The specific catch phrases people have, or the variations of that thing the one character always says to the other one, or that one thing that hit a nerve. It's just really interesting to hear and see. Sometimes there's a line that is just so cringy, and you can figure out why. Or watching now many words get said through body language instead. It can teach you a lot.

Tv shows like Supernatural, where sometimes the characters get possessed, can be so insightful. If you watch it, you know how the Character normally talks, so when they are possessed, you can see how their body language changes, their speech patterns, everything. it's like they are a different person. And I guess that is just the beauty of acting.

And now for some more directly writing related advice.

1: Improper grammar is okay

In real life people use really bad grammar while talking. Phrases, run-ons, everything and anything. At Christmas dinner today my grandma was talking and my mom interrupted her (another thing people do in real life a lot.) and said "You started about ten sentences that you never finished!" So relax grammar nazi. Let them talk with bad grammar.

2: Don't overuse char names

Like I mentioned already, people don't use the names of those they are conversing with often. Maybe if they want to direct something at a person who is not paying attention, or is clarifying for someone, but 90% of the time people just don't. Listen for it a bit. See if anyone uses anyone's name in the next conversation you have. See if you use anyone's.

3: Dialogue tags

Also something that is pretty important. The quote I used at the beginning of this post highlights this fact. What is said in dialogue is important, and the wording says a lot about the characters. But what goes on around the dialogue says a lot also. Are they figiting? Smirking? Grinding their teeth? Laughing so hard they snort? Tell us that!

But also remember - Said is NOT dead. Hopefully you have heard that from another blogger already, but if not... Using words besides said is important. You can throw in a "she muttered" or "he hollers" if you really need to. But for most dialogue, said works just fine. To prove my point, I picked up "I am not a serial killer" by Dan Wells off my shelf and flipped through it, and I couldn't find a dialogue tag that wasn't said.

4: Read it aloud

Honestly, this is one of the best ways to make sure your dialogue isn't boring, or awkward, or missing the emotional impact it should. Read it like your a audio book reader, have a friend read it with you, have google translate read it to you for all I care. But please read it aloud. You'll catch a lot by doing this.

I asked my writing buddy's if they had any extra advice, and this is what Fiona told me, "It’s a real conversation. Not just a scene. These two people, real people, with dislikes and likes and flaws, are having a conversation. Don’t force it. It’s natural or it’s not happening."

I don't know why, but dialogue is something I really love. Which is good, because I really am slow at description. I can pound out twelve pages of hand written dialogue in the time it takes me to do two paragraphs of description typed. I pay attention to voice, a lot of people pay attention to the world and it's colors and shapes and stuff. I do? Well.. Maybe. I never remember how things looked really, or the colors. Vira will tell you exactly what someone was wearing or describe something to me as if she were writing it. It's beautiful and cool and I'm really envious. So if anyone has any tips for me, please do tell! Why do most writers like, and are better at, description?

And ya know, if you have any dialogue questions, please ask those also!

Merry Christmas and have a happy New Year y'all!

Much love,

Thane

34 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page