Ten Tips for Improving Dialogue for Authors

 

1. Read Your Dialogue Aloud: Reading your dialogue aloud is a great way to make sure it sounds
natural and flows well. This will help you identify any awkward phrasing or unnatural dialogue that needs to be changed.

 

2. Use Contractions: Contractions are a great way to make dialogue sound more natural and conversational. They also help to convey emotion and give the dialogue a more authentic feel.

 

3. Avoid Clichés: Clichés can be overused and often make dialogue sound trite and unoriginal. Instead, try to come up with creative and unique ways to express yourself.

 

4. Vary Speech Patterns: Not all characters should speak in the same way. Varying speech patterns can help to create distinct personalities for each character and make them more memorable.

 

5. Keep It Short: Brevity is key when it comes to dialogue. Long-winded speeches can be tedious and difficult to follow, so try to keep your dialogue as concise as possible.

 

6. Use Subtext: Subtext is a great way to add depth and complexity to your dialogue without making it too wordy or expository. Allowing the reader to infer what is going on beneath the surface can be a powerful tool.

 

7. Show, Don’t Tell: Rather than telling the reader what is happening, try to show it through the dialogue itself. This will help keep the story moving forward and keep the reader engaged.

 

8. Add Humor: Adding humor to your dialogue can help break up the tension and add some levity to your story. Just make sure it fits with the tone of your story and doesn’t feel forced or out of place.

 

9. Listen To Real Conversations: Listening to real conversations can help you get a better sense of how people actually talk and can provide you with some great ideas for your own dialogue.

 

10. Let It Evolve: Don’t be afraid to let your dialogue evolve as you write. Dialogue should never feel static or stagnant; instead, it should reflect the changes that are happening in the story and in the characters’ lives.

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