How to Write Good Dialogue - Five Quick Tips



Posted: Monday, April 06, 2009

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Quick, think of your favorite novel. Got it in mind? Chances are it contained dialogue: conversation between characters that kept you engaged as you made your way through the author's story. Good dialogue advances the story, especially when it sounds real. As much as writers want to keep dialogue "real" it generally comes out flat. Conversation needs to serve a purpose other than fill up white space on a page. Good dialogue will prop up the briefest of short stories or the longest of novels.

Good dialogue can also propel a tale along, break up pages of exposition, and even advance the plot. But what separates good dialogue from the listless? What keeps readers turning pages instead of reaching for a bookmark or work by another writer? As you shape your novel, here are five important tips on how to write good dialogue:

1. Good dialogue comes from listening. Go to your favorite mall, bar, or supermarket-anywhere there are people and tune in to the patterns of speech and note who's saying what. The young will sound different from the old. Those who live in the city will talk differently from those who make their living out in rural settings. If you're suck on how one of your characters ought to sound, try finding a similar person with that character's traits and zero in on how he or she talks.

2. Good dialogue can be gleaned from reading. Pick authors you admire and pore through several of their tomes, making special note of the structure. Are the sentences short and crisp, or are they longer and more complex? Do the characters talk and sound authentic relative to where they reside or do they seem out of place? Find dialogue that inspires you, then pick it apart to find out what makes it tick. And as you write, be sure to make everyone's speech distinct. The mark of a professional is one whose characters don't all sound the same.

3. Good dialogue comes from reading out loud. Our brains interpret words and phrases better and can more easily spot clumsy sentences when read aloud. While your mind may fill in missing words or gloss over awkward speech on the printed page, hearing these passages can help you identify problem areas and get them fixed.

4. Good dialogue means being patient. Good dialogue takes time, just as good stories do. Don't rush it. If you've been working on a particular scene or chapter and it's just not happening, take a break. Engage in an activity and clear the cobwebs- grab a snack, listen to some music, take a walk. If you're really stuck, but still in the mood to write, work on something else. Eventually your mind will clear and you'll be back on track.

5. Good dialogue sometimes means seeking help. Even professionals frequently enlist the aid of a spouse, friend, or fellow writer. Find someone you trust and get a second opinion. Chances are, if they pick out the same material you weren't happy with, it probably needs changing.

Good dialogue is the cornerstone to a good story. It's also an important component to a good, well-written novel. Follow the above suggestions on how to write good dialogue and continue honing your skills. And as you write, remember to rewrite and trust your instincts. Treat your words like toys-play with them and have fun. Give your readers a story they'll read long past their bedtime. Knowing how to write good dialogue doesn't just happen, it takes time and effort.

Ken Hattaway spent nine years in Las Vegas before moving to a Dallas suburb. After getting wired on coffee and world news each morning, he writes intense action stories involving characters driven to desperation.

The first three novellas in his Sin City Refugees series - Dead Money , Dead Corpse , and Dead Pulp are currently available on the Kindle. Each costs less than a cup of coffee and contains fewer calories.
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