How to write good dialogues

Dialogues are one of the most important tools in literature and filmmaking. They not only help to reveal the characters, but also advance the plot, create atmosphere and involve the reader or viewer in the story. However, writing quality and convincing dialogue is not an easy task. In this article, we will look at key principles and tips that will help you create interesting and natural dialogues.

Understanding the character of the characters

Each character speaks in a different way. To make the dialogues sound believable, it is important to understand who your character is and what his or her characteristics are. Think about his or her age, profession, education, life experience, and how he or she sees the world. A young student and an elderly professor will not speak in the same way.

Example:
-Student: "Hey, what's up? Everything okay?"
-Professor: "How are you feeling today? Is everything okay?"

Different vocabulary, intonation, and mannerisms of speech will help the reader better understand the characters and their differences.

Naturalness of speech

Dialogues in books should sound like how people communicate in real life, but with one change - they should be more concentrated. In real speech, people may repeat themselves, use a lot of unnecessary words and make pauses. In literature, you should avoid these excesses while keeping the dialogue lively.

Tips:

Listen to people talking around you. This can be useful for creating natural dialogues.
Read your dialogues aloud. If they sound strange or unnatural, try simplifying the phrases.

Don't forget the purpose of the dialogue

Every piece of dialogue should have a purpose. It can reveal information about the plot, show relationships between characters, or create tension. If the dialogue has no purpose, it should be revised or removed altogether.

Example
If the purpose of the dialogue is to show tension in a relationship:
-Character 1: "You're late again."
-Character 2: "I don't owe you an explanation."

Here the dialogue conveys conflict and creates an atmosphere of tension between the characters.

Show, not tell

Используйте диалоги, чтобы показать эмоции и действия, а не просто описывать их. Вместо того, чтобы писать "Он был зол", дайте персонажу сказать что-то, что покажет его гнев.

Пример:

Вместо: "Он был зол."

Напишите: "Что ты вообще себе позволяешь? Я с тобой больше не разговариваю!"

Таким образом, эмоции персонажа станут очевидны через его слова и действия, а не через описание.

Use pauses and silence

Pauses in dialogue can be as expressive as the words themselves. Sometimes silence says more than any lines. Don't be afraid to include moments of silence in dialogue to heighten tension or allow the reader to feel the characters' emotions.

Example:
-Character 1: "Do you trust me?"
(long pause)
-Character 2: "I don't know..."
Here a pause can convey uncertainty and tension much better than a long explanation.

Avoid long monologues

In real life, people rarely speak in monologues. Dialogues are the exchange of lines, reactions, and feelings. Monologues that are too long can bore the reader and make the characters feel like they are not interacting with each other. Maintain the pace and momentum of the conversation.

Example:
Instead of having one character explain something at length to another, break it down into questions and answers, reactions and counter-reactions.

Use of slang and dialects

If your character belongs to a certain social or cultural group, using slang or dialects can add realism to the dialogue. However, be careful - excessive use of slang can make the text difficult to read.

Example:
- "What's up, bro?" - for youth slang.
- "How you doing, mate?" - for a more formal speech.

Consider the context

The context in which the dialogue unfolds is also important. The environment and situation can affect how and what characters say. In a tense situation, lines may become shorter and sharper; in a relaxed situation, they may become longer and more detailed.

Example:
In an emergency: "Run! Now!"
Quietly, "You know, I think we should think it over before we make a decision."

Use subtext

Good dialogue often has a hidden meaning - something the characters don't say directly. Subtext creates depth and intrigue, forcing the reader to interpret hidden emotions and motives.

Example:
Character 1: "You're looking good. It's been a while."
Character 2: "Yeah, a lot has changed."

Here there may be discomfort, reticence or even hidden resentment lurking between the lines.

Dialogue writing is an art that requires practice and observation. Good dialogue brings the story to life, makes the characters real and makes the reader experience with them. Remember that each line should serve a purpose and add something to the overall context of the story or the characters. Experiment, try different approaches and listen to the people talking around you - this is the best source of inspiration for creating lively and convincing dialogues.