Write a novel

Write BETTER DIALOGUE (6 tips & how to make it realistic)

Are you proofreading your book and struggling to make the dialogue sound realistic? Or you're writing it now, but it feels flat?

Then you're like many others. I hope this article can help you.

CHARACTER VOICE

It makes your life easier if every character speaks a little differently. You can drop dialogue tags more easily because readers will recognise the character by the way they speak.

One character may always say "okay", the other may always say "yes" when they agree. Maybe one uses a lot of foreign words, the other a lot of metaphors, and someone else speaks in short and direct sentences.

BODY LANGUAGE

Body language is very important! It shows the reader the feelings of the characters and builds the "around". There are good dialogues where the characters do nothing but talk - but they are harder to write.

Have your characters fix a radiator, eat ice cream or skip gym class while they talk. Have them gasp when they're scared, and jump up and down when they're excited (okay, the latter might be a bit of an exaggeration ... but if the character is a kid, it would work).

CONTRASTS

Contrasts help you and the readers to identify who is talking or doing something. This can refer to the characters speaking, reacting, acting and performing very differently.

OTHER HELPFUL ARTICLES:
- "The ultimate template for CHARACTER VOICES!" 
- "The SCIENCE of writing exercises (+ tips on show, not tell)" 
- "Why prompts might not work (+5 steps to make them work)" 

NO INFO-DUMPING

It can put readers off if information is conveyed (for pages) in dialogue.

For example, do NOT write, "It's so sad that I had the car accident yesterday. Now I have to hide because I was a hit-and-run driver ... If the police find me, I will have to give up my life. No one will like me anymore. I am afraid. The police use dragons as guards in this country. They are huge and have sharp claws and teeth [...]"

You realise it's daunting.

Still, you should ...

USE DIALOGUE TO DEVELOP CHARACTERS

Dialogues can be a great way to develop characters. Use them to reveal their personalities, motivations and backgrounds - preferably slowly, a little at a time per scene.

DIALOGUE AND PACING

Dialogue makes time fly quickly. Inner monologue or narration makes it drag like chewing gum. It is important to find the right balance between inner and outer dialogue (or monologue), action and description. Be warned: it is not easy!

AND HOW DO YOU MAKE THE DIALOGUE REALISTIC?

There are several ways.

Next time you are in a conversation, listen to how people phrase things and what their body language is like. Do they gesticulate wildly with their hands or are they almost acting? Do they speak colloquially with friends/relatives and try to be serious (almost stiff) with their boss?

Another, more reliable method is to watch a dialogue in a film or series and pay close attention to the wording and body language. If you have a bit more time, you could try putting it into words.

And of course, it helps to read!


Write on,