Today I want to discuss how to write dialogue, but I feel like you’re all pretty thoroughly sick of me by the midpoint of Revision-o-Rama, and rightfully so. I’ve been blabbing my mouth off for quite some time. So instead of bloviating about writing dialogue rules, I’ll let writers who actually write excellent dialogue do it for me! (I’ll also compile a link or two from what I’ve previously written on the subject… anything new I try to write will start to feel redundant and, as we all know, redundancy is one big thing to get rid of during revision!)
Excellent Thoughts on How to Write Dialogue
- First, click here for an excellent post about revising dialogue from amazing YA writer Laurie Halse Anderson’s blog.
- Next, you can find another post about dialogue by clicking here, this time from YA writer Barry Lyga, who Laurie recently feuded with on Twitter… about dialogue!
- In fact, Barry has so much to say about dialogue that he has a whole enormous series on it! You can find Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 by clicking on the corresponding links. (I linked to Part 5 in the bullet point above.) Check them out, they are well worth a careful study.
- Finally, go ahead and wander on back to Kidlit.com for an old post I did about dialogue tags.
A lot of tips on writing dialogue can still apply as tips on revising dialogue. If anyone has great posts from other blogs that I’m missing (and there are a lot, I’d wager), leave them in the comments and I’ll add them to the list so that this can become a resource for the future.
Keep on blabbing. Love what you are doing this month! I’m going to add this link:
http://www.darcypattison.com/revision/novel-diagnosis-dialogue/
It may be a repeat of what is in the links you shared (off to work, going to read them later)-I like the suggestion Darcy has of getting two people to read your dialogue out loud, if possible. Plus her example is great…
Happy Holidays!
I agree with Deb. I’m not sick of you at all. The posts have been very helpful.
I’ve been really enjoying your posts. Keep ’em coming! 🙂
I’m definitely not sick of you either. Thanks so much for the list of resources. It’ll be fun to read through them all.
Melissa
Thank you for the links! I love finding new posts and writers to follow!
There is a lot of verbal diarrhea in cyberspace but your website is sparkly clean! Thanks for these great links, they sent me off on a journey through several sites I’d not come across before. Now I just need some time to digest the information I found (and stop typing before this metaphor gets any yuckier).
Thanks for the links! I’m running over to check them out now.
Great post, great links. Thanks.
Keep it up. I look forward to reading your posts.
Seriously, you’ve been a huge help! Can’t wait to check out the links. Happy Holidays!
Great post! Thanks for the links. I love writing dialogue. I just wish in real life I was as witty and quick as some of my characters.
I love your posts! they are so helpful to me right now since I’m in the final stage of editing my YA mystery novel. Thanks so much : )
Sweet. Thanks for the links. I’m big into dialogue and love books with smart and snappy dialogue. Great posts. Lovin’ the series.
Merry Christmas.
Most (good) writing and publishing advice is redundant. I just like the way you put it–succinct and fun. So please, keep it up.
And have a great holiday season!
All — Aww, thanks for the kind words! I really wasn’t having a moment or fishing for compliments, but they’re nice to hear. 🙂 Glad you’re enjoying Revision-o-Rama!
Great articles; thanks for the links.
It’s a fine line between too much dialogue and too much description.
You have a nice blog that is relevant and fun. Thank you.