Chattering Characters: Art of Crafting Dynamic Dialogue in Fiction

Good day, dear readers! Today, we’re going to dive into the art of crafting dynamic dialogue in fiction. So, grab a cuppa, and let’s get cracking!

Dialogue is the lifeblood of your story. It can reveal character traits, propel your plot forward, and even provide comic relief. But writing compelling dialogue that resonates with readers? That’s the real trick.

1. Keep it Real…but Not Too Real

The first rule of thumb when writing dialogue is to make it sound natural. Now, I know what you’re thinking – “But Emily, people don’t always speak in complete sentences or use perfect grammar.” And you’re right! However, if you try to replicate real-life conversation too closely in your writing (complete with all its ums, ahs and awkward pauses), it can become tedious for your reader.

The key here is balance – aim for authenticity without sacrificing readability. Your characters’ speech should feel organic but also serve a purpose within your narrative.

2. Show Don’t Tell

You’ve probably heard this classic piece of writing advice before: show don’t tell. Well folks, it applies to dialogue too! Instead of telling us how a character feels (“John was angry”), use their dialogue to show us (“‘Damn it!’ John slammed his fist on the table.”) This makes for a much more engaging and immersive reading experience.

“The difference between telling versus showing is like watching a movie versus having someone summarise it for you.”

3. Use Subtext Wisely

In real life conversations (and good fiction), people often say one thing but mean another. This is subtext, and it’s a powerful tool in your dialogue-writing arsenal. For example, if a character says “I’m fine” while gritting their teeth and avoiding eye contact, the reader understands that they’re anything but fine.

Subtext can add depth to your characters and make their interactions more complex and intriguing. Just remember not to overdo it – too much subtext can confuse your readers.

4. Distinguish Your Characters

A common pitfall for writers is making all their characters sound the same. Each of your characters should have a distinct voice that reflects their personality, background, and mood. Think about how a teenager would speak compared to an elderly person or how a doctor might talk compared to a mechanic.

Varying your characters’ speech patterns, vocabulary, and rhythm can help bring them to life and make them more memorable for your readers.

5. Avoid Info Dumps

We’ve all read those novels where two characters have a conversation that feels like it’s meant more for the reader’s benefit than theirs. This is known as an info dump, and it’s something you want to avoid in your writing.

While dialogue can be an effective way to convey information or backstory, it needs to feel natural. If Character A starts telling Character B something they already know (“As you know Bob…”), it pulls the reader out of the story because real people don’t talk like that!

“Dialogue isn’t just about what’s being said; it’s also about what’s left unsaid.”

6. Use Dialogue Tags Sparingly

“He exclaimed”, “she murmured”, “they shouted” – these are all examples of dialogue tags. While they can be useful for clarifying who’s speaking, too many can become distracting. Often, a simple “he said” or “she said” will do the trick.

Remember, your dialogue itself should convey the emotion and tone of the conversation. If you find yourself relying on adverb-heavy tags (“he said angrily”), it might be a sign that your dialogue needs strengthening.

There you have it, folks! Six tips to help you craft dynamic dialogue in fiction. Remember, like any aspect of writing, crafting compelling dialogue takes practice. So don’t be disheartened if your first few attempts don’t quite hit the mark. Keep at it and soon enough your characters will be chattering away like pros!

Until next time, happy writing!