Dialogue is an essential element of any story. It is a way to reveal character, advance the plot, and engage readers in the world you’ve created. Writing great dialogue is a skill that takes practice, but with the right techniques, you can create dialogue that feels natural and authentic. In this blog post, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for writing great dialogue and provide examples from bestselling novels.
1. Make Your Dialogue Sound Natural
One of the most important things to keep in mind when writing dialogue is that it should sound natural. Your characters should speak in a way that feels authentic to their personalities, backgrounds, and experiences. To achieve this, it’s essential to listen to how people speak in real life. Pay attention to the way people phrase their sentences, their use of slang, and their unique speech patterns.
One example of a novel that uses natural-sounding dialogue is The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. The protagonist, Holden Caulfield, speaks in a colloquial and informal style that reflects his youth and rebelliousness. By writing dialogue that sounds natural, Salinger creates a character who feels relatable and authentic.
2. Use Dialogue to Reveal Character
Dialogue is an excellent tool for revealing character. The way a character speaks can give readers insight into their personality, values, and beliefs. By writing dialogue that reflects a character’s unique voice and perspective, you can create characters that feel complex and multi-dimensional.
An excellent example of a novel that uses dialogue to reveal character is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The character of Atticus Finch is known for his wisdom and moral integrity, which is reflected in his dialogue. By having Atticus speak in a thoughtful and measured way, Lee creates a character who feels wise and empathetic.
3. Use Dialogue to Advance the Plot
Dialogue is also an essential tool for advancing the plot. By having characters discuss important plot points, you can keep the story moving forward. It’s essential to use dialogue in a way that feels natural and not forced. Your characters should be discussing things that are relevant to them and their situation.
One example of a novel that uses dialogue to advance the plot is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. The two main characters, Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander, frequently discuss the details of their investigation, which drives the plot forward. By using dialogue to reveal information about the investigation, Larsson keeps the reader engaged and invested in the story.
4. Use Dialogue to Create Tension
Dialogue can also be used to create tension and conflict. By having characters disagree or argue, you can create a sense of drama and tension that keeps the story engaging. It’s essential to use tension in a way that feels organic and not contrived. Your characters should be disagreeing for a reason that is rooted in their personalities and motivations.
One example of a novel that uses dialogue to create tension is Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. The two main characters, Nick and Amy, frequently argue, which creates a sense of tension that drives the story forward. By having the characters argue over important plot points, Flynn keeps the reader engaged and invested in the story.
5. Use Dialogue to Create Subtext
Finally, dialogue can be used to create subtext. Subtext is the hidden meaning beneath what characters say. By having characters say one thing while meaning another, you can create a sense of complexity and nuance in your story.
One example of a novel that uses dialogue to create subtext is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The characters in the novel often say one thing while meaning another, which creates a sense of mystery and intrigue. By using dialogue to create subtext, Fitzgerald creates characters that feel complex and multi-dimensional.
6. Use Dialogue Tags Sparingly
Dialogue tags are the words that indicate who is speaking, such as “he said” or “she asked.” While it’s essential to use these tags to clarify who is speaking, it’s also important not to overuse them. Using too many dialogue tags can be distracting and take the reader out of the story.
One example of a novel that uses dialogue tags sparingly is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. The author frequently uses action beats, which are descriptions of characters’ physical actions, to indicate who is speaking. By using action beats instead of dialogue tags, Collins creates a sense of movement and momentum that keeps the story engaging.
7. Use Contractions
Using contractions in dialogue can help make it sound more natural and authentic. In real life, people rarely speak in complete, grammatically correct sentences. Using contractions can make your dialogue feel more realistic and help create characters that feel authentic.
One example of a novel that uses contractions effectively in dialogue is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. The characters in the novel frequently use contractions, which makes their dialogue sound natural and authentic. By using contractions, Green creates characters that feel real and relatable.
8. Use Interruptions
Interruptions in dialogue can be an effective way to create tension and conflict. By having characters interrupt each other, you can create a sense of urgency and drama that keeps the story engaging. It’s important to use interruptions in a way that feels organic and not forced.
One example of a novel that uses interruptions in dialogue effectively is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. The characters in the novel frequently interrupt each other, which creates a sense of chaos and tension. By using interruptions, Twain creates a sense of energy and momentum that keeps the story engaging.
9. Use Silence
Sometimes, the absence of dialogue can be just as effective as dialogue itself. Using silence can create tension and suspense, and it can also give readers insight into characters’ emotions and thoughts. It’s important to use silence in a way that feels deliberate and not accidental.
One example of a novel that uses silence effectively in dialogue is The Road by Cormac McCarthy. The characters in the novel frequently go long stretches without speaking, which creates a sense of loneliness and isolation. By using silence, McCarthy creates a sense of atmosphere and mood that adds to the story’s emotional impact.
10. Read Your Dialogue Aloud
Finally, one of the best ways to ensure that your dialogue sounds natural and authentic is to read it aloud. By reading your dialogue aloud, you can get a sense of how it sounds and identify any areas that feel awkward or stilted. You can also get a sense of how different characters’ voices sound and make sure that they sound distinct and authentic.
In conclusion, writing great dialogue is an essential skill for any writer. By making your dialogue sound natural, using it to reveal character and advance the plot, creating tension and subtext, and using techniques like contractions and interruptions, you can create compelling and effective dialogue that engages readers and brings your story to life. By practicing these techniques and paying attention to how other writers use dialogue in their work, you can improve your own writing and create stories that are memorable, engaging, and emotionally resonant.
