Writing Center: Dialogue Development
So you figured out the basics of character dialogue by reading our dialogue 101 page, but what now? So you know what to do, but what if you just can't make your character do it? No worries; we have this handy-dandy dialogue development sheet to help you out! First we'll go over some more advanced tips and tricks, but then we'll give you a short worksheet to help you figure out the intricacies of your character's dialogue on your own. Just read our tips, then fill out the worksheet - if you want to be considered for Writer of the Month, just click 'submit' and we'll log your progress and give you feedback on what you've done so far.
Making dialogue authentic
- Avoid the obvious
- Give your character an agenda
- Avoid talking in a vacuum
- Avoid perfect grammar
Avoid the obvious
If your character says exactly what they think they will most likely end up sounding like a robot. Use their personality to put a spin on even the most basic sentences and make them realistic.
Give your character an agenda
Most of the time people have a purpose when engaging someone in conversation. For example, if your character wants to borrow money from a friend, they might start out the conversation with a basic question and then steer the conversation to the heart of the matter. Knowing your character’s agenda will help you strategize how to use dialogue to their advantage.
Avoid talking in a vacuum
It is rare for people to simply stand and talk to someone. They are often doing something at the same time, from something as simple as drinking coffee to cooking dinner. By mentioning small details such as coughing, scratching an arm or picking a loose thread off a shirt, your dialogue will seem more authentic.
Avoid perfect grammar
While the amount a character will pay attention to grammar changes from personality to personality, we rarely speak perfectly. This doesn’t mean you should use incorrect grammar, but that you should allow your characters to sound like real people.
But don't go overboard!
- Not everything your character says is going to sound original and witty. Give them a few simple sentences.
- Inject little actions and details your character is doing or noticing as they talk, but don’t mention them excessively.
- Avoid perfect grammar but don’t make your character’s speech difficult to read and understand. If your character has a speech impediment or an accent, consider finding other ways to allude to that instead of writing it out directly; this will make your dialogue much easier to read.
Are you ready? Awesome! Using these awesome tips, answer the questions below to the best of your ability. When in doubt, leave the question blank or indicate that there is no answer. Whatever you do, don't respond with things that are only true for yourself because that doesn't help your character develop his voice!
