Dialogue can do things that description and action can’t do.
There’s an intimacy with dialogue because we “hear” it as we read or we step into the character roles and emotions. Magic! What a feeling!
Dialogue draws attention—even offers a “rest stop” for our eyes—because of the white space around it in your novel, script, memoir, or short story.
Dialogue helps pacing for reasons including those mentioned above.
Ineffective dialogue—including with punctuation errors or the over-usage or inappropriate substitutes for “said/says”—can kill your prose style and storytelling goal.
Sometimes a project receiving multiple passes can be saved if only the writer would work on the dialogue. This post is about how to start.
Writers I’ve worked with and other authors I admire who have been successful know dialogue does at least three things:
- Reveals character,
- Moves plot forward, and
- Tells the reader or audience something new or needed
How does dialogue do those things? Does it do them at all and consistently?
Employ any or all of these 6 tricks or skills to flesh out a story for readers:
1) Power and power plays
Who is in charge of the scene or chapter? How do we know? Who speaks early on with intention? Does somebody ask a question—always a great technique?
2) Attitude
Allow a character to express worry or any emotion through word choices and the cadence of their words.
“Worry” propels story because, after all, plot is about a problem or goal needing attention. Readers are drawn to those who are worrying; we’re empathetic and sympathetic creatures. Humor also draws attention, try being funny—you are funnier than you first think.
3) New stuff flying at us all the time
Stories excel after a character reveals new information. Bring in the “new” through dialogue constantly. Have you fallen into too much chatting? Repeating things? Find a way for a character to announce surprising information.
4) Passion
How deep is the character’s conviction for what they’re saying? How do we know? Can you improve word choices?
Would using questions help? Instead of swear words (often a cheap trick), try shaping a question or statement with something profound or a confession. Or reveal a secret about their personality or problem.
5) Sex and other basic needs
Relationships, romance, love, sex, money needs, food and housing needs—talk of such things never fails to engage readers.
Do you have a character willing to nudge or force another character to talk about those aspects? Sympathy and empathy are powerful tools. Sometimes a writer needs to add a character like a grandma or friendly shopkeeper who can ask about important needs in a mentor-like way.
6) Subtext
Subtext is the meaning beneath the words. Try having characters occasionally speak in ways to get what they want by not talking about it directly. If a child says, “Cake shouldn’t be left out for a second day or it spoils,” the child’s subtext is perhaps “Can I have another piece of cake right now, Dad?”
Subtext operates like a “hint.” A character might say “I’m all right” but your description or action portrays them as a mess. Subtext works in humorous exchanges, too, and in horror. Criminals will talk “nice” but the unspoken meaning is “You’re in trouble.”
There you have it—the dialogue “3 and 6.” Your task:
Examine your project. How are you utilizing the 3-and-6? Is there at least one page where you can improve dialogue?
How do your opening pages stack up with “3-and-6” techniques?
Christine DeSmet: Author 