![]() We’ve covered before types of dialogue tags, and when to use them (hint: “said” is the preferred invisible word, or sometimes “asked.”) Writing active dialogue also means using minimal dialogue tags. We see he has a strong relationship with his coworker, and we feel his dread walking out to face both his family (his specific circumstances) and the unknown (the story’s stakes/tension/theme). With the active dialogue, we learn what’s really weighing on Ed, while still getting the sense that the company failed him. If she gets cut, we’ll have to move back in with her parents. It seems bleak right now, but another door will open. Joe walked in and patted him on the back. This severance will barely get my family through the holidays.” “I just can’t get over it, you know? I really thought ABC would look out for us in the end. Wanna walk to the parking lot one last time together?” Joe leaned in the doorway.Įd looked out the window. Fifteen years, and this is all I’m carrying out with me. Instead of the long block of dialogue, break it up with action and interaction:Įd placed the framed photo of his family into his messenger bag. There’s no nuance to the voice that reveals an emotional connection, other than the desperation at the end. Yes, we get general information, but nothing about the character or their specific circumstances is revealed. What are we supposed to do? How will we find jobs in this market?” The company should have thought of the employees in all of this. ![]() Then we were ripe for a takeover, and we knew as soon as that happened we’d be bought and they’d clean house. It’s all because they made that deal last year that leveraged us to the hilt. “Now that ABC is going bankrupt, 365 employees will lose their jobs. They’d be more likely to discuss their current circumstances, and decisions they must make as a result. For example, if two characters are well aware that the company is going to go under and unemployment is imminent, it’s unlikely they would get into heavy detail about the background of the company and the bad decisions that were made that led to this moment. When writing dialogue into a scene, consider what each character already knows, and then what they would actually say to each other as a result. The challenge with writing dialogue happens when writers try to accomplish all of these things, and the end result is a conversation that would never fly in real life. And most importantly, dialogue is a way to showcase each character’s individual voice. It can be used to increase tension, and to demonstrate what’s at stake. ![]() It can be a way to convey information the reader needs to understand the story. ![]()
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