Arguably, dialogue is the most important aspect of a story. I say arguably in case anyone has some different opinion regarding the topic.
In real life, most conversations I hear around me are either vaguely incoherent or simply desultory in nature. Not much inspiration is to be found there for the kind of narrative fictional conversation I'm aiming for. Besides, I can't handle talking to people the majority of the time.
I read books, but directly learning from the best writers doesn't seem to be working for me.
Getting back to the main question: How do you write dialogue that might sound at least half decent? Any tips or suggestions?
On that very note, any favorite/quotable/memorable dialogues that you have as an example? Why do you like it? What makes it good?
First think about these characters that are talking, imagine them inside of your head, and consider how they would interact with one another. That's what I usually do.
Ironically, I think you'd be better off learning to write dialogue from movies, tv, youtube, plays, anything where you can hear dialogue. It's intentionally written to be more coherent than real human conversations, but it still has the flavor of a real conversation.
Then when you write, you just have to listen back to the conversation in your head. If you don't have a mental voice, you'll have to read it out loud, unfortunately. Or talk it over with a friend.
I always write dialogue about how I would discuss something with myself in my head. Then I just write it out. Or you can start writing down shower conversations. You know, when something happened in school, or your boss did something, and you start imagining what you would have said to them and what they would have done in response, but you already have a comeback for it? Yeah, those thoughts. Perfect dialogue for a novel.
Arguably, dialogue is the most important aspect of a story. I say arguably in case anyone has some different opinion regarding the topic.
In real life, most conversations I hear around me are either vaguely incoherent or simply desultory in nature. Not much inspiration is to be found there for the kind of narrative fictional conversation I'm aiming for. Besides, I can't handle talking to people the majority of the time.
I read books, but directly learning from the best writers doesn't seem to be working for me.
Getting back to the main question: How do you write dialogue that might sound at least half decent? Any tips or suggestions?
On that very note, any favorite/quotable/memorable dialogues that you have as an example? Why do you like it? What makes it good?
Dialogue is a tool. In theory, you can write a story without using it (in my opinion, it wouldn't be ideal, but in some cases, it can be effective).
The first tip I have for you is to avoid unnecessary lines. Every sentence should serve a purpose, whether it's to move the story forward or to characterize the character.
Second tip: try to be brief and concise. One or two sentences.
Third tip: everyone speaks differently. A king speaks differently from a drunkard, or from a wizard, or from a farmer. A noble is generally more refined compared to an alleyway thug. A trick can be to use signature words or phrases that a particular character frequently says.
Fourth tip: imagine dialogue as a play and the characters as actors. Put yourself in their shoes and imagine what they would say and how they would respond.
Fifth tip: describe the actions and facial expressions between dialogues, as they help to show the tone of the conversation and avoid the "talking heads" effect.
Sixth tip: But above all, show contrast between the different sides. A dialogue is like a battle. There should be tension between the two parties, as if each one is trying to convince the other of their own reasons.
Arguably, dialogue is the most important aspect of a story. I say arguably in case anyone has some different opinion regarding the topic.
In real life, most conversations I hear around me are either vaguely incoherent or simply desultory in nature. Not much inspiration is to be found there for the kind of narrative fictional conversation I'm aiming for. Besides, I can't handle talking to people the majority of the time.
I read books, but directly learning from the best writers doesn't seem to be working for me.
Getting back to the main question: How do you write dialogue that might sound at least half decent? Any tips or suggestions?
On that very note, any favorite/quotable/memorable dialogues that you have as an example? Why do you like it? What makes it good?
The best advice I could give I think, boils down to:
- Don't try to give exposition through dialogue.
I mean, no, you can totally give exposition through dialogue, but just remember that in a conversation, both parties already know the context of what they are talking about (most of the times*), so whenever you have to add explicitly what is it they are talking about, it feels fake and forced, because normal people don't talk like that.
It is hard to write natural sounding dialogue, when you also need to clue in the reader about the context, without being explicit about what that context is.
There's this 20min youtube video that talks about exposition, but also address how to use it on dialogues, which might help.
I love dialogues. For those I try to imagine myself as the speaker, and say something that I would say if I were them. Sometimes I add in a little bit of body language to make it seem more realistic
The only thing I can add is that people do stuff as they speak. They don't just speak. They move, twirl their hair, and have facial expressions as they react to what they say or others.
The quote is a bit vague but here:
"Remember you must not forget!" This sounds like willpower, makes me want to read more out of curiosity
"Hurry up, ya scurvy dogs!" A Captain of a pirates way of talk to mock their crew.
"Yavolt Pioneer!" Company Of Heroes 1 unit pioneer, this was my first made up word called Mydifir(My Friend) simply because of misheard.
"You dare to insult me? A high princess!?" Being challenged of their status, which is to be expected in their reply despite losing patience.
As you notice I like exclamation/question mark, because there is stress/sense of confusion when talking.
My style of writing tends to be emotional so uh it might not suit everyone.
But in case that one crazy character who is known to shout decided to stay calm, something dangerous/harmless is going to happen.
'Oh horror' leans closer to your face "Does it make me smile to see that iris shrink~" Closed eyes and walked away blended into darkness.
A conversation like most things in life is a series of actions and reactions.
The easiest way to convey this is to have a give and take conversation. For example.
Person 1 speaks, Person 2 speaks, Person 1 speaks…..
But that’s not how all dialog is exchanged. Even when listening to a single person speak for a prolonged period people still react to their words. Instead of dumping a several paragraph long expository dialog box, break it up by giving the non verbal reactions that other characters show.
Things like displeasure, annoyance, agreement. Emotions that are easily described with simple actions and expressions.
You could start by using the search function, as I've answered this question in the past, but here. I'll clip it for you, since yer lazy.
On Dialogue
"When having a conversation I have words inside quotations and get rid of the word 'said' whenever possible." Eldritch had discovered that people are smart enough to figure it out for themselves, "You just need a comma and some quotes to get people to know who is talking. The important part is to start a new chapter whenever the speaking subject changes.
My imagination interrupted, "This would be an example of that." It looked around and wiggled its tendrils, "Actions can be done by anyone and rolled into the paragraph." Eldritch nodded as my Imagination continued, "As long as who is talking inside the quotes remains the same."
"So Expositions should be all at the start of the chapter, with maybe a small wrap-up at the end, but if you get in the habit of having conversations like this, you can group things up in a way that is easier on the reader's eyes. It knows where one speaker ends and another begins. In fact, if you keep up the pattern, you won't even need to point out who is talking, the reader will figure it out by style of speech, or the fact only two people are talking."
However, there is a problem...
How to have the conversation sound... different.
Step 1: JUST WRITE THE CONVERSATION. Alternate between who is talking keeping the words spoken separated
A: You suck
B: no you suck
A: You really suck
C: you both suck.
A & B in unison: Go Away, C. Nobody likes you.
Step 2: Sprinkle in what actions they do while talking. Give each one a signature action. Write it out as a Spreadsheet.
Like: Angry: Gestures Wildly
Happy: Smiles
Scared: His eyes go wide
Blah Blah Blah. but make sure you use the same 'action' for the emotion EVERY TIME so the reader can pick up on it. Just me, they'll figure it out if YOU are consistent.
THEN...
GO TO CHAT GPT
Take your dialogue and feed it into the machine by saying:
REPHRASE THE FOLLOWING DIALOGUE AS IF A [Blank] WAS SPEAKING.
Keep it simple. No more than 3 words.
Jacob lowered his head to look at the floor, "I dunno why I tried so hard to save him. Matter of pride I guess. Didn't want anyone accusing me of slacking. But... nothing I could do. I didn't even know what to do." He looked up and around, "This is right before NanaMed, by the way." He turned back to the Professor, "Crazy thing. Right before he died he grabs me and says, 'Thanks for trying. It's acceptable. I am glad I got to meet a human."
He scratched the back of his neck, "It boggled me. No idea what the fuck that meant. Then I looked into it and it turns out one of the races who's asses we kicked had done the same thing to the Icconians." He looked around the room, "The first time it occurred to me that you guys weren't all on the same team. Maybe blaming all of you for my shitty life wasn't the smart way to go." He shrugged, "So when I got out of the army, I quit being an Axer." He snapped his fingers, "Sorry. You mightn't know what that is."
"Anti-xenos" He explained, "Spelled AX. It's something you use on earth to chop things up. So people who actively hate all aliens called themselves Axers." He shrugged, "Anyways. Fast forward to last year. I was looking into school that taught xenobiology so I could be a better medic and learned about this place. I signed up and..." He shrugged, "I got accepted." He snapped his finger, "But, I'm broke. So... I ran a go fund me." He looked around, "Uh, basically a way to beg for money from strangers." He shrugged, "Anyways. it wasn't getting much money, but... it did get noticed by some former axers I knew."
Jacob looked up at the professor, "So I was working at a local clinic. I had gotten out of the army by then and this guy walks up to me and asks me my name and I knew something was up." He gestured to his armpit, "Now, former military is allowed to conceal carry weapons. It's a perk. I think he was expecting me to be unarmed." He make his hand into a gun shape, "He shot three times, hit me twice, and I had a Watt Pistol." Jacob 'fired' his hand, "Got him between the eyes and that's all she wrote."
He shrugged, "Next thing you know, the government is using this as Anti-Axer propaganda. Everyone on the planet learned about the shooting and money comes flowing into the go fund me and..." He spread his hands wide, "Here I am. A strange, bumpy, and crazy road to get here, but I'm here."
Jacob tilted his hat down, eyes on the ground. "Can't rightly say why I put in so much effort tryin' to save him. Reckon it was just pride, not wantin' folks thinkin' I was some kind of slacker. But... nothin' I could do. Didn't have the first clue what I was doin'." He lifted his gaze, lookin' around. "This was just before NanaMed, if you’re wonderin'." Turned back to the Professor, "Crazy thing though, right before he bit the dust, he grabs me and says, 'Thanks for tryin'. It's fine. Glad I got to meet a human.'"
He rubbed the back of his neck, "That one had me scratchin' my head. Didn't have a clue what in tarnation he meant. So I looked into it, turns out one of them races we thrashed had done the same thing to the Icconians." His eyes drifted around the room, "First time it hit me that y'all weren't ridin' for the same brand. Maybe blamin' y'all for my rotten luck wasn't the brightest idea." He shrugged, "So, when I got outta the army, I quit bein' an Axer." He snapped his fingers, "Oh, sorry, guess you might not know what that is."
"Anti-xenos," he explained, "spelled AX. It's like somethin' you'd use back home to chop wood. So folks who hated all aliens called themselves Axers." He shrugged again, "Anyhow, fast forward to last year. I was searchin' for a school teachin' xenobiology so I could patch folks up better, stumbled across this place. Threw my hat in the ring and..." He shrugged, "got accepted." He snapped his finger again, "But, I was dead broke. So... I set up a go fund me." He glanced around, "Uh, that’s just a fancy way of beggin' folks for money." Another shrug, "It wasn’t pullin' in much cash, but... it did catch the eye of some old Axer buddies."
Jacob looked up at the professor, "So there I was, workin' at a local clinic, already out of the army, when this fella strolls up, asks for my name. Knew somethin' was off." He patted his side, "Now, ex-military's got the right to carry concealed. It’s a perk. Guess he figured I’d be unarmed." He shaped his hand like a gun, "Fired three shots, hit me twice, but I had a Watt Pistol." Jacob ‘fired’ his hand, "Put one right between his eyes, and that was the end of that."
He shrugged again, "Next thing I know, the government’s usin' this as Anti-Axer fodder. Everyone and their granny heard about the shootout, and money starts pourin' into the go fund me, and..." He spread his hands wide, "Here I am. The road here was as rough as a tumbleweed in a dust storm, but I made it."
Jacob inclined his head, casting his gaze to the floor. "I know not why I exerted myself so greatly in an effort to save him. Mayhaps it was a matter of honor, for I desired not to be seen as indolent. Yet... there was naught I could do. I lacked the knowledge of how to proceed." He lifted his eyes, glancing about. "This occurred just prior to the advent of NanaMed, I should mention." He then turned to face the Professor, "A most curious thing happened. Just before he succumbed to his wounds, he seized my hand and said, 'I thank you for your efforts. It is well. I am grateful to have encountered a human.'"
He absently rubbed the back of his neck, "I was perplexed, truly. I could not fathom what he meant by those words. Upon further investigation, I discovered that one of the races we vanquished had inflicted the same upon the Icconians." He looked around the chamber, "It was the first time it dawned upon me that you were not all united under the same banner. Perhaps placing the blame upon you all for the misfortunes in my life was not the wisest course." He gave a slight shrug, "Thus, when I left the army, I abandoned my ways as an Axer." He snapped his fingers, "Ah, I apologize. You may not be familiar with the term."
"Anti-xenos," he clarified, "spelled AX. It refers to an implement used on Earth for hewing wood. Those who harbored hatred for all alien beings styled themselves as Axers." He shrugged once more, "Nevertheless, to move the tale forward to the past year. I sought out a place of learning that imparted the study of xenobiology, that I might become a more proficient medic, and thus, I learned of this institution. I applied and..." He gave another shrug, "I was accepted." He snapped his fingers again, "But, alas, I found myself destitute. Thus... I resorted to a go fund me." He cast a glance around, "In essence, it is a manner by which one solicits alms from strangers." He gave yet another shrug, "It did not yield much coin, but... it did attract the attention of some former Axers of my acquaintance."
Jacob lifted his gaze to the professor, "So, there I was, laboring at a local infirmary, having already left the army, when a man approached me, inquiring as to my name. I sensed immediately that something was amiss." He gestured towards his side, "Now, veterans are granted the privilege of carrying concealed weapons. It is a benefit. I suspect he expected me to be unarmed." He mimed a pistol with his hand, "He discharged his weapon thrice, striking me twice, yet I bore a Watt Pistol." Jacob mimicked firing the pistol, "I struck him between the eyes, and thus ended the matter."
He shrugged yet again, "Before long, the government seized upon this incident as fodder for Anti-Axer rhetoric. Word of the shooting spread throughout the land, and soon, funds poured into the go fund me, and..." He spread his hands wide, "Here I stand. The path that brought me hither was most strange, tumultuous, and unpredictable, yet I have arrived."
Jacob lowered his head, staring at the floor as he spoke. "Ain't rightly sure why I put so much effort into saving him," he muttered. "Pride, maybe. Didn’t want folks thinkin’ I was slackin’. But… there weren’t nothin’ I could do. Didn’t even know where to start.” He glanced up and around the room, adding, “This was right before NanaMed, mind ye.” Turning back to the professor, he continued, “Funny thing, though. Just before he passed, he grabs hold of me and says, ‘Thanks for tryin’. It’s acceptable. Glad I got to meet a human.’”
Jacob scratched the back of his neck, a puzzled look crossing his face. “That threw me for a loop. Didn’t have the slightest idea what he meant. Later on, I dug into it and found out that one of the races we’d whooped had done the same to the Icconians.” He cast a glance around the room, “First time it hit me that y’all weren’t on the same side. Maybe blamin’ all of you for my own miserable life wasn’t the wisest course.” He shrugged, “So when I left the army, I gave up bein’ an Axer.” He snapped his fingers as if to jog a memory, “Oh, sorry. Might be you don’t know what that is.”
“Anti-xenos,” he explained, “Spelled AX. It’s somethin’ you use on earth to chop things up. So, folks who hated all aliens started callin’ themselves Axers.” He shrugged again, “Anyways, fast forward to last year. I started lookin’ into schools that taught xenobiology so I could be a better medic and came across this place. Signed up and…” He shrugged, “Got accepted.” Another snap of his fingers, “But I’m broke. So… I ran one of them go fund me deals.” He looked around sheepishly, “Uh, that’s just a way to beg money off strangers.” He shrugged once more, “Didn’t bring in much, but… it caught the eye of some old Axer pals of mine.”
Jacob looked the professor in the eye, “So there I was, workin’ at a local clinic. I’d already left the army by then, and this fella walks up, asks me my name, and I knew somethin’ was up.” He gestured towards his armpit, “Now, folks who’ve served in the military get to carry concealed weapons. It’s a perk. I reckon he thought I’d be unarmed.” He shaped his hand like a gun, “He fires three shots, hits me twice, but I had a Watt Pistol on me.” He mimed firing his hand, “Put one right between his eyes, and that was the end of that.”
He shrugged once more, “Next thing I know, the government’s usin’ this whole mess as Anti-Axer propaganda. Suddenly, everyone on the planet knew about the shootin’, and money started pourin’ into that go fund me.” He spread his hands wide, “And here I am. A strange, bumpy, and downright crazy road to get here, but here I am.”
As you can see, it needs a lot of work, but you can look at it and keep only a few bits and bobs and then rework it until it fits what you want. If you keep the three words for the Each Character the same and consistantly use ChatGPT to "flavor" the text, it will still be your writing, but it will be as if you uses a thesaurus.
It just speeds things up.
DON'T let ChatGPT write the dialogue. It SUCKS at making shit up.
