1. Dialogue
should stay on topic,
2. Use dialogue as you would
regular speech,
3. Opt for the speaker said over all others,
4. Avoid long speeches,
5. Sound like the character, right down to accent
and incorrect grammar
6. Show what the characters
are doing while they’re talking,
7. Keep characters’ speech
consistent.
When
breaking the rules makes sense...
How many rules have you broken and
why? Breaking these rules can be helpful and useful or it can be a sign of poor
writing. Writer’s Digest magazine
warns, however, “Words can be barbs. They can be sabers. They can be jewels.
Don’t let them be marshmallows that are passed back and forth.” Dialog is the
most useful technique writers have to define and develop characters, move the
story, and provide background. Of course, there are exceptions to these rules.
Knowing when to use them and when to break them is the difference between
‘writing’ and ‘good writing’.
An
editor comes to the rescue...
You think it sounds just about
perfect, your spouse and a few lodge friends love it. But is it ready for
submission. An editor could be just what you need to put your manuscript over
the top. By editor, I’m talking about a professional editor, not a friend or
relative—an unbiased individual who will give you a professional evaluation of
your manuscript.
