Every writer has strengths and weaknesses. This is often a huge factor when determining what genre one might choose. Someone who excels at writing steamy love scenes might naturally gravitate toward writing Erotica or Romance, while a writer with a talent for writing kick-ass fight scenes might be more drawn to Adventure.
There are some things that every great book needs if it’s going to connect with readers. Likable characters and engaging dialogue are a couple of them. Here we’re going to list 5 tips on how to write dialogue that keeps your readers engaged.
#1. Short Paragraphs
Large blocks of text tend to make your reader feel overwhelmed. I know I can feel my eyes glazing over when I see a page with no indentations. For dialogue, this is especially true. Instances, where this can be an easy mistake to make, are scenes that uncover a character’s back-story or the big reveal of a plan to take down the bad guy.
The best way to avoid excessive monologue is to have the other characters participate in the conversation. Sometimes this is best incorporated by editing after you get that single long paragraph down. After you purge all the information you need onto the page, go back over it and have other characters pipe in every so often. They can interrupt or respond every two or three sentences, and that will keep your conversation from getting stagnant.
#2. Use Action Tags
Any author worth their salt will tell you to paint what’s happening in the scene as people are speaking. So rather than saying he said or she said after your dialogue, try showing us what the character is doing as they speak. For example… here’s an excerpt from my current WIP (work in progress)
“What manner of tree is this?” I gestured to the twisted branch overhead.
“Have you read the bible?” Helena took a step toward me.
“Not really.” I took a step back. “I attended church like everyone in Addleton, but I’m a blacksmith. I didn’t have time to learn how to read.”
“Fair enough.” She shrugged, circling around behind me. “Do you remember the tree of knowledge?”
“The one that Eve ate from?” My body tensed.
“That’s the one.” She rested her chin on my shoulder. “This is the same kind of tree as the one in Eden. Naturally, this harsh environment caused it to grow a little differently, but the concept is the same.”
Showing body language, facial expressions, and movement is a great way to keep the scene moving forward while a conversation unfolds. It kills two books with one stone, weaving imagery and dialogue together.
#3. Strong Voices
If you have fleshed out your characters in the outlining process, it’s easier to imagine what each person would say in a given conversation. As a writer, you take on the responsibility of acting out every scene from every character’s point of view. That means before you start writing, you should know your characters well.
#4 Drop Eves
Never underestimate the value of eavesdropping on strangers. Obviously, this tip will be best utilized after we’re not locked down and trying to protect each other from a deadly pandemic. But, when it’s safe to go out and mingle, take an opportunity to sit with your notebook on a park bench or at your favorite cafe and just listen to the conversations of people around you.
The introverts out there will cringe when I say this but... If the people that are around are flying solo and don’t have anyone to talk to, chat them up yourself. Get a feel for the art of conversation. Ask questions, get excited about what’s going on in their lives. Every person you come into contact with is a blueprint for a character in your book.
#5. Dispense With The Small Talk
I hate to break it to you, but no one wants to hear your characters say hi, how are you? How’s your mom? While it’s perfectly normal to exchange pleasantries in real life, your readers will either nod off and start snoring, or they’ll lose interest and put the book down. I don’t know which is worse.
Make sure every line of dialogue serves a purpose. Does it move the plot forward? Does it develop the characters? Does it make us laugh? If not, you might want to cut it altogether.
Well, booklings… that’s all I’ve got for you today. Until next time, keep those keys clacking!
Happy writing, friends <3
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