More on Dialogue
Writing strong dialogue will make your fiction sing.
Today I found an article by Brandi Reissenweber which made me think about writing speech. For the explanations of the three common mistakes writer make with dialogue, go and explore this great article by Brandi Reissenweber which is posted on the Gotham website (the link is just below).
Dialogue Pitfalls
by Brandi Reissenweber
Speaking is a natural part of life. Most of us do it every day, without too much thought. We think on our feet and respond in the moment. This practice is so second nature that it can often be hard to slow down and figure out what we really sound like when we speak. Writers make three common mistakes in this transition from verbal to written dialogue. You can isolate these and avoid them in your own writing.
by Brandi Reissenweber
Speaking is a natural part of life. Most of us do it every day, without too much thought. We think on our feet and respond in the moment. This practice is so second nature that it can often be hard to slow down and figure out what we really sound like when we speak. Writers make three common mistakes in this transition from verbal to written dialogue. You can isolate these and avoid them in your own writing.
One: Ambitious, Colorful Tags
Two: Creating Dialogue That is a Transcription of Real Speech
Three: Expository Dialogue
Also, take a look at my ten tips on writing dialogue in the top right hand corner of this page.
Now you’re thinking dialogue, try a little bit of editing. Re-read a scene you’ve recently written which involves your characters speaking. Read it out-loud. Have you made any of those common mistakes that Brandi Reissenweber mentions? What could you do to hone your text and make the words come alive?
