AuthorHi, I'm Ray Evans. I'm a certified copyeditor and proofreader. Archives
September 2023
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Are you ready to embark on the journey to create more engaging and believable characters through dialogue? Well, gather around, my dear word wizards, and let's explore how you can write the most dazzling, convincing dialogue for your characters while avoiding the pitfalls of caricatures and stereotypes. Listen to the Music of SpeechPeople have their unique ways of talking, don't they, Sparky? You need to eavesdrop on real conversations to understand the nuances and rhythms of everyday speech. Pay close attention to the hesitations, interruptions, and idiosyncrasies of how people communicate. And remember, nobody's perfect – natural dialogue isn't grammatically flawless. Keep it SnappyNobody wants to read a meandering soliloquy (unless you're Shakespeare, and even then…). So, keep your dialogue brief and to the point. Make your writing concise, and let your reader's imagination do the heavy lifting! Give Each Character a Distinct VoiceCharacter development is an essential aspect of fiction writing. Each character should have their unique voice. Consider how your character's background, education, and personality will affect their speech patterns. Avoid blending voices – you don't want Prince Harry to sound like John Falstaff! Write Accents and Dialects with RespectAs you venture into the world of dialects and accents, be cautious, my dear author. Balance authenticity with readability, and steer clear of phonetic spelling. Instead, sprinkle your dialogue with a few choice words or phrases that capture the essence of the dialect without going overboard. Show, Don't TellThe words spoken between characters should serve as a window into their soul, you know what I mean? Like when Anthony Blanche tells a joke, it gives you a glimpse into his innermost thoughts and feelings. That's what great dialogue is all about, revealing a character's emotions through their words and actions, instead of just flat out telling the reader how they feel. Master the Art of SubtextAs the great philosopher John Keating once said, "No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world." Subtext is the art of saying one thing while meaning another – it's the unsaid emotions and thoughts that lie beneath the dialogue. Master the art of subtext, and your characters will come alive with complexity and depth. Beware of Dialogue ClichésClichéd dialogue can drag down a brilliant story like an anchor. Instead of falling back on overused phrases and worn-out expressions, strive for originality and freshness in your dialogue. Challenge yourself to invent new ways for your characters to communicate – it's like sculpting with words! Edit, Edit, Edit!Finally, after you've written your dialogue, it's time for a little editing.
Read your dialogue aloud to see how it sounds. Trim unnecessary words, make sure each character's voice is consistent, and pay attention to the rhythm of the speech. Don't be afraid to be brutal – good writing is rewriting, after all. And there you have it, my dear authors, and make your dialogue sing with authenticity and character. Happy writing!
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