Making Interesting Dialogue

Dialogue is the art of conversation and all fiction writers need to learn that art. Stilted, pointless dialogue reads like this:

 

“I hear you got a bed.”

 

“Yes, I got a bed.”

 

“Good. How comfortable is the bed?”

 

“Okay. I like it.”

 

Purposeful, dynamic dialogue reads like this:

 

“You need to do something about your stupid obsession with expensive beds.”

 

“It’s my money. I don’t see you complaining when I spend it on you.”

 

“So…what’s it like then?”

 

“You want to try it?”

 

The same number of lines but which one do you think gives more clues about the characters? Your guess is as good as mine. Each line reveals something more about the person speaking it and the relationship between the two characters. I bet you didn’t think a bed could make for such an interesting dialogue. Well, neither would your readers unless of course you wow them with your dialogue skills.

 

Good dialogue flows like a stream. Bad dialogue reads like a waterfall dashing against the rocks. It’s excruciating to read and your readers wouldn’t thank you for wasting their hard earned money on your book either. So do a little research; read a few books, make some notes and revitalise your dialogue skills. Your editor and readers will thank you for it.