Dialogue
How to write realistic conversations in fiction
Dialogue is an essential element in fiction writing, as it provides a means for characters to communicate with each other and express their thoughts, feelings, and motivations. However, writing realistic conversations in fiction can be a challenge, as it requires creating dialogue that feels natural and authentic to the characters and the story.
Here are some tips to help you write more realistic conversations in your fiction:
Understand your characters: One of the keys to writing realistic dialogue is understanding your characters' personalities, motivations, and backgrounds. Think about how each character speaks, what their unique speech patterns are, and how they would express themselves in different situations. The majority of our books are set in council estates or working-class areas so the speech patterns reflect that. Throw in the fact that our main writer is a Geordie and you’ve got to have very realistic (and sweary!) dialogue to keep the reader hooked.
Keep it concise: Real conversations are rarely filled with long, uninterrupted monologues. Keep your dialogue concise, with characters speaking in short bursts that reflect their personalities and emotional states.
Use dialogue tags sparingly: Dialogue tags such as "he said" or "she exclaimed" can be helpful in identifying who is speaking, but overusing them can make your dialogue feel clunky and unnatural. Instead, use descriptive actions or gestures to indicate who is speaking. For example in our down and dirty Newcastle crime thriller ‘Maxwell’s Silver Hammer
’ there is a meet in a pub between two of the main characters and a bodyguard. No dialogue tags are needed as the aggressive actions of two of them make it plain who’s speaking at any time.
Avoid exposition dumps: Conversations are a great way to reveal information about your characters and the story, but be careful not to overload your dialogue with exposition and information. Instead, use your dialogue to reveal information in a natural way that feels true to the characters and the story.
Listen to real conversations: One of the best ways to write realistic dialogue is to listen to how people talk in real life. Pay attention to the way people use language, the cadence of their speech, and the unique phrases and idioms they use. You’d be surprised as well by how often people talk in cliches.
By following these tips, you can write more authentic and believable conversations in your fiction. Remember, dialogue is a powerful tool for revealing character and advancing the plot, so take the time to craft conversations that feel natural and true to your story.