good dialogues
Posted By Seth Watts Posted On

Write good dialogues: 7 tips!

First, a question. Are dialogues essential? No, dialogues are not essential. A life story without the slightest dialogue can be very well written and fascinating.

It is even better to dispense with dialogues rather than write them that sound false. There is nothing worse for the reader. In short, if you do not feel comfortable with this mode of expression, abstain!

If you are comfortable writing dialogues, this is also no reason to stuff your autobiography with it. It can get very indigestible unless you tell your story in the form of a play. Why not after all. It might be a good idea.

These details made, the use of dialogues has virtues and it would be wrong to deny them.

4 reasons to write dialogues

  1. Dialog makes it possible to convey messages in a different way and often much stronger than in the indirect style.

I have something important to tell you!

I’m listening to you Aurélien.

I love you!

In indirect style, this would have done something like this: Aurélien declared to Aurélie that he loved her. Admit that in this case, the dialogue is much more impactful.

  1. By writing dialogue, we abandon the narration to the past to write in the present. This alternation of time gives rhythm to the story. It makes it more alive.

I have something important to tell you (instead of: he had something important to tell him).

  1. The characters whose story you tell will begin to speak and therefore live as if by a miracle. The narrator (you) steps aside to let them express themselves. Your story will only be more dynamic.

“I love you !”

  1. The dialogue makes it possible to translate the emotion of a character often more effectively than by writing long sentences or long comments.

 7 tips to make your dialog sound right

  1. The style of those who express themselves must be related to their status, social status, character, etc.

A child does not speak like a grandfather or a businessman like a poet, or an honorable mother does not speak like a thug.

  1. You must, of course, avoid being too literary unless you write plays like Racine or Corneille.
  •  Go, I do not hate you.
  • You have to.
  • I can not.

Do not fall into the opposite excess either by making a caricature of spoken language:

Oh well yes then, I’m not telling you the thing Loading the guy if you knew

  1. The dialogue must provide useful information that advances the narrative.
  • Do you want coffee?
  • Yes, I want it!
  • See you tonight then!
  • Yes, see you tonight!
  1. Enrich your dialogues by putting the characters on stage:
  • So, is that your business? Replied Rosalie, sprawled on the sofa.
  • Perfectly, that concerns me! Said Julien, strumming on his cell phone.
  1. Pass on their emotions without a big speech
  •  Do you really want me? Asked Isabelle, her voice trembling.

Or

  •  There is no question! Hammered his father.

Do not be too talkative at the risk of killing the dynamism of dialogue. Avoid long paragraphs, aftershocks should follow one after the other.

  1. Use stratagems to bring more life to your dialogues:
  2. A character can interrupt his interlocutor or refuse to answer him or voluntarily change the subject, or even oppose an icy silence!