Writing DialogueWriting Dialogue

D. Koepke D. Koepke

Creative WritingCreative Writing

Dialogue IntroductionDialogue Introduction

Dialogue should be true to life, but it Dialogue should be true to life, but it cannot be exactly true.cannot be exactly true.

Real speech is often aimless, halting, Real speech is often aimless, halting, or unfinished.or unfinished.

Thus, the trick is to write dialogue Thus, the trick is to write dialogue that seems real, but that is easy for that seems real, but that is easy for the audience to follow.the audience to follow.

Devices that will help knit Devices that will help knit your dialogue together…your dialogue together…

RepetitionRepetition

One character picks up on a word One character picks up on a word that another character has just said:that another character has just said:

Character 1: “You’re not open to any Character 1: “You’re not open to any new ideas. You won’t even listen to new ideas. You won’t even listen to a word about immigration!”a word about immigration!”

Character 2: “A word! I’ve listened Character 2: “A word! I’ve listened to volumes!”to volumes!”

InterruptionsInterruptions

One character breaks in on another, One character breaks in on another, completing the first character’s line.completing the first character’s line.

Character 1: “If only we could get Character 1: “If only we could get enough—”enough—”

Character 2: “Hard cash?”Character 2: “Hard cash?”

TAGSTAGS In writing dialogue for a story, you In writing dialogue for a story, you

start a new paragraph each time the start a new paragraph each time the speaker changes. Using tags helps speaker changes. Using tags helps the reader to know who is speaking.the reader to know who is speaking.

““I’d really like you to sit down,” I’d really like you to sit down,” she saidshe said.. He whined, “I’m tired of watching this He whined, “I’m tired of watching this

movie.”movie.” ““What are you doing?” What are you doing?” she askedshe asked.. ““That’s stupid,” That’s stupid,” hissed Julia viciouslyhissed Julia viciously..

Use ActionUse Action

Instead of getting in the TAG RUT, try Instead of getting in the TAG RUT, try incorporating some action:incorporating some action:

She pointed across the room. “Get over She pointed across the room. “Get over there!”there!”

She slammed her hands down on the She slammed her hands down on the table. “NO!”table. “NO!”

More TipsMore Tips

Don’t create non-parts with your Don’t create non-parts with your characters in dialogue. This is the characters in dialogue. This is the agreeing, nodding, uh-huh-ing agreeing, nodding, uh-huh-ing character.character.

Work to reveal information from both Work to reveal information from both sides of the conversation.sides of the conversation.

And watch that punctuation…And watch that punctuation…

In his usual rush, Orion tumbled In his usual rush, Orion tumbled through the door. through the door. “ “Mom, I’m homeMom, I’m home,”,” he shoutedhe shouted. . ““Take your shoes offTake your shoes off,”,” she calledshe called..

““Did you take Did you take youryour shoes off shoes off?”?” he sassed backhe sassed back. .

Practice!Practice!

Use the comic strip on the following slides Use the comic strip on the following slides to help you craft interesting dialogue.to help you craft interesting dialogue.

Step 1 = Study the sceneStep 1 = Study the scene Step 2 = Write their words (the ones you Step 2 = Write their words (the ones you

think they’re saying) as they would appear think they’re saying) as they would appear in a comic.in a comic.

Step 3 = Rewrite this into a paragraph Step 3 = Rewrite this into a paragraph that uses tags and dialogue action. You that uses tags and dialogue action. You may add description if needed.may add description if needed.

Practicing dialogue:

1. Think about what is going on in this scene.

2. Write their lines.

3. Then, re-write this as a conversation with tags and action

(add description where you need it).