3 Dialogue and Voice
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3.1 Dialogue as a Reflection of Character
📖 Quotes about how dialogue can reveal a character’s personality, motivations, and inner thoughts.
“Dialogue is the revelation of character.”
— Graham Greene, The Lost Childhood (1951)
Dialogue uncovers a character’s true nature, showing their personality, thoughts, and feelings.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
— Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969)
Dialogue leaves a lasting impact on others, shaping their memories and feelings towards the speaker.
“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.”
— Peter Drucker, The Effective Executive (1967)
Dialogue involves listening attentively, understanding both the spoken words and the underlying emotions and intentions.
“The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.”
— Meryl Streep, Speech at the Golden Globe Awards (2017)
Dialogue allows characters to connect with each other on a deeper level, understanding and relating to their emotions and experiences.
“Words can never adequately express the power of what human beings can feel.”
— Helen Keller, The Story of My Life (1903)
Dialogue captures the nuances of human emotion and experience, conveying feelings that go beyond mere words.
“Dialogue is the heartbeat of a story.”
— Robert McKee, Story (1997)
Dialogue brings characters to life, driving the story forward and revealing the characters’ personalities, motivations, and conflicts.
“Dialogue should reveal character - not expound exposition.”
— John Gardner, The Art of Fiction (1984)
Dialogue should focus on developing characters and advancing the plot, rather than simply delivering information.
“Character is revealed in dialogue - not by lengthy descriptions.”
— Anton Chekhov, A Letter to a Young Playwright (1889)
Dialogue is a more effective way of revealing a character’s personality and motivations than through extensive descriptions.
“The most important thing about dialogue is that it should reveal character.”
— Elmore Leonard, Ten Rules of Writing (2008)
Dialogue should primarily serve the purpose of revealing the characters’ personalities and motivations.
“Dialogue is a way of showing what characters are like - not telling it.”
— Janet Burroway, Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft (2002)
Dialogue should naturally reveal a character’s personality and traits, rather than explicitly stating them.
“Dialogue should be like a windowpane.”
— Arthur Miller, Timebends: A Life (1987)
Dialogue should be transparent, allowing the reader to see the characters clearly and understand their thoughts and feelings.
“Dialogue is like a dance - two people listening and responding to each other.”
— David Mamet, On Directing Film (2008)
Dialogue is an interactive process where characters actively engage with each other, listening and responding attentively.
“The most important thing in dialogue is not what the characters say, but what they don’t say.”
— Tennessee Williams, Memoirs (1975)
Dialogue often reveals more about characters through unspoken words, gestures, and subtext, rather than what is explicitly stated.
“Dialogue is the music of a story.”
— Stephen King, On Writing (2000)
Dialogue adds rhythm, flow, and emotional depth to a story, enhancing the reader’s engagement.
“The purpose of dialogue is to reveal character and advance the story.”
— James Scott Bell, Write Your Novel from the Middle (2007)
Dialogue should primarily serve the purpose of developing characters and moving the plot forward.
“Dialogue is the lifeblood of a story.”
— Wilkie Collins, The Moonstone (1868)
Dialogue breathes life into characters and stories, making them relatable and engaging for readers.
“Dialogue is the DNA of a story.”
— Donald Maass, Writing the Breakout Novel (2012)
Dialogue is the fundamental building block of a story, carrying its essence and driving it forward.
“Dialogue is the fingerprint of a character.”
— Robert J. Sawyer, Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction (2002)
Dialogue is unique to each character, reflecting their personality, background, and motivations.
“Dialogue is the engine that drives the story.”
— Jerry Jenkins, Plot & Structure (1998)
Dialogue propels the story forward, creating conflict, tension, and resolution.
“Dialogue is the heartbeat of a story.”
— Sol Stein, Stein on Writing (1995)
Dialogue brings characters to life and makes them relatable to readers, driving the emotional impact of the story.
3.2 Dialogue as a Tool for Storytelling
📖 Quotes about how dialogue can be used to advance the plot, reveal information, and create tension or conflict.
“Dialogue is not just words. It’s about the subtext, the unspoken communication between characters. It’s about the power struggle, the negotiation, the manipulation.”
— David Mamet, Three Uses of the Knife (1998)
Dialogue is more than just words; it’s about the unspoken communication and the power dynamics between characters.
“Dialogue is the main instrument for revealing character.”
— Arthur Miller, Timebends: A Life (1987)
Dialogue is the primary means of revealing the characteristics and personalities of characters in a story.
“Dialogue is the music of fiction.”
— John Gardner, The Art of Fiction (1983)
Dialogue is the melody and harmony of storytelling, creating a rhythm and flow that enhances the reader’s experience.
“Dialogue should reveal character, advance the story, and create conflict.”
— Elmore Leonard, Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing (2008)
Dialogue should serve multiple purposes: revealing character, advancing the plot, and creating tension or conflict.
“Good dialogue is about more than just words. It’s about rhythm, pacing, and conflict.”
— James Scott Bell, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure (2008)
Dialogue is not just about conveying information; it’s about creating a rhythm, pacing, and conflict that engages the reader.
“Dialogue is not just what people say. It’s what they don’t say.”
— David Mamet, Three Uses of the Knife (1998)
Dialogue should include the unspoken, hinting at deeper meanings and conveying emotions that characters may not explicitly express.
“The art of dialogue is learning how to listen.”
— David Mamet, True and False: A Handbook for Christian Writing (1987)
Effective dialogue comes from listening to real-life conversations, paying attention to the nuances and rhythms of natural speech.
“Dialogue is more than just words on a page. It’s the heartbeat of your story.”
— Donald Maass, Writing the Breakout Novel (2012)
Dialogue brings life to a story, creating a connection between the reader and the characters, making them feel as if they are part of the story.
“Dialogue is a way of revealing character, advancing plot, and creating tension.”
— William Bernhardt, Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft (2008)
Dialogue serves multiple purposes in storytelling, revealing character traits, propelling the plot forward, and building tension or conflict.
“Dialogue is the lifeblood of fiction. It’s the way we get to know our characters and their relationships with each other.”
— Larry Brooks, Story Engineering: Mastering the Six Structural Elements of Great Fiction (2006)
Dialogue is crucial in developing characters and their relationships, allowing readers to understand their personalities, motivations, and dynamics.
“Dialogue can be used to reveal a character’s inner thoughts and feelings, to advance the plot, and to create suspense.”
— C.S. Lakin, Write Better Fiction: A Writer’s Guide to Crafting Dynamic Characters, Compelling Dialogue, and Unforgettable Stories (2018)
Dialogue serves various purposes in storytelling, including revealing character thoughts, moving the plot forward, and building suspense.
“Dialogue is the most effective way to reveal character and advance plot. But it must always serve the story.”
— James Scott Bell, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure (2008)
Dialogue should primarily serve the story, prioritizing character revelation and plot advancement over unnecessary details.
“Dialogue is not just about what the characters say; it’s about what they don’t say, what they leave unsaid. It’s about the silences between the words.”
— David Mamet, On Directing Film (1991)
Dialogue extends beyond spoken words, encompassing unspoken emotions, intentions, and subtext that convey deeper meanings.
“Dialogue is the most important tool in a writer’s toolbox. It can be used to reveal character, advance the plot, and create conflict.”
— Donald Maass, Writing the Breakout Novel (2012)
Dialogue is a powerful storytelling tool that effectively reveals character traits, moves the plot forward, and creates tension or conflict.
“Dialogue is a great way to convey information and move the plot forward, but it can also be used to create tension and conflict.”
— Jane Friedman, The Fiction Writer’s Guide to Dialogue (2018)
Dialogue not only delivers information and advances the plot but also serves to build tension and create conflicts.
“Dialogue should sound real. It should be natural and conversational, like people are actually talking.”
— William Bernhardt, Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft (2008)
Dialogue should emulate natural conversations, capturing the nuances and rhythms of everyday speech.
“Dialogue is the most direct way to reveal character. It’s what characters say and how they say it that lets us know who they are.”
— Sol Stein, Stein on Writing (1995)
Dialogue serves as a direct window into a character’s personality, beliefs, and motivations.
“Dialogue should advance the story, flesh out character, and reveal information.”
— James N. Frey, How to Write a Damn Good Novel (2008)
The primary functions of dialogue are to move the story forward, develop characters, and convey important information.
“Dialogue can be used to build tension, create conflict, and reveal character. It can also be used to advance the plot and provide information.”
— Randy Ingermanson, Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft (2009)
Dialogue serves as a versatile tool to build tension, create conflict, reveal character traits, and advance the plot.
“Dialogue is the heartbeat of your story. It’s what brings your characters to life and makes your readers feel like they’re part of the action.”
— Donald Maass, Writing the Breakout Novel (2012)
Dialogue breathes life into characters and immerses readers in the story, making them feel emotionally connected.
3.3 Dialogue as a Form of Art
📖 Quotes about the beauty and artistry of well-written dialogue.
“Dialogue is a verbal duel, with words as weapons. The object is not to wound or kill, but to outthink and outmaneuver your opponent.”
— David Mamet, Writing in Restaurants (1985)
Dialogue is a skilled verbal exchange, akin to a fencing duel, where the goal is to outsmart and outmaneuver.
“Dialogue is the music of the theater. When it’s good, it’s like listening to a beautiful piece of music.”
— August Wilson, The Ground on Which I Stand (1996)
When done well, dialogue has a musical quality, captivating and enchanting the audience.
“The best dialogue is a beautiful dance between characters, and it’s something I take very seriously.”
— Aaron Sorkin, The West Wing Writer’s Guide (1999)
Aaron Sorkin considers dialogue a delicate interplay between characters, treating it with the utmost importance.
“Dialogue should be like a symphony, where every word has a purpose and contributes to the overall meaning.”
— John Truby, The Anatomy of Story (2007)
Dialogue, like a symphony, should be carefully orchestrated, with each part contributing to the whole.
“Dialogue is the touchstone of character. It reveals who people really are and what they’re all about.”
— David Mamet, Writing in Restaurants (1985)
Through dialogue, characters’ true nature, motivations, and personalities are unveiled.
“A good dialogue is like a tennis match, with the characters volleying ideas and emotions back and forth.”
— Arthur Miller, Timebends: A Life (1987)
Dialogue is a dynamic exchange where characters engage in a lively interplay of thoughts and feelings.
“Dialogue is the heartbeat of a story. It’s the lifeblood that brings the characters to life.”
— James Scott Bell, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure (2009)
Dialogue breathes life into characters, making them relatable and compelling.
“Dialogue is like a dance, where the characters move and respond to each other’s words.”
— Elmore Leonard, Ten Rules of Writing (2008)
Dialogue, like a graceful dance, involves characters’ words flowing and interacting, guiding the story forward.
“Dialogue is the pulse of a story, the rhythm that propels it forward.”
— Robert McKee, Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting (1997)
Dialogue is the driving force of a story, setting the pace and creating momentum.
“Dialogue should be a reflection of the character’s inner thoughts and emotions.”
— Stanisław Lem, On Dialogue (1983)
Dialogue serves as a window into characters’ minds, revealing their inner struggles and motivations.
“The best dialogue is that which reveals character and advances the plot.”
— Anton Chekhov, Letters on the Short Story, the Drama, and Other Literary Topics (1908)
Effective dialogue simultaneously develops character and propels the story forward.
“Dialogue is the art of making two characters talk to each other in a way that is both natural and revealing.”
— Kurt Vonnegut, Palm Sunday: An Autobiographical Collage (1981)
Dialogue is the skillful craft of creating authentic and insightful interactions between characters.
“Dialogue should be spare and to the point. Every word should count.”
— Ernest Hemingway, Death in the Afternoon (1932)
Dialogue should be concise and impactful, with every word contributing meaningfully.
“The most important thing about dialogue is that it should sound like real people talking.”
— Elmore Leonard, Ten Rules of Writing (2008)
Authenticity is key in dialogue; it should mirror genuine conversations between real people.
“Dialogue should be like music, with each line contributing to the overall rhythm and flow.”
— David Mamet, Writing in Restaurants (1985)
Dialogue, like music, should possess rhythm, melody, and harmony, creating a captivating soundscape.
“Dialogue should be like a tennis match, where the characters volley ideas and emotions back and forth.”
— Arthur Miller, Timebends: A Life (1987)
Dialogue is a dynamic interplay, akin to a tennis match, where characters engage in a lively exchange of thoughts and feelings.
“Dialogue is the most powerful tool a writer has to bring characters to life.”
— James Scott Bell, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure (2009)
Dialogue is a writer’s most effective tool to breathe life into characters, making them relatable and compelling.
“Dialogue is not just words on a page; it’s the living, breathing voice of your characters.”
— Donald Maass, Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook (2012)
Dialogue goes beyond mere words; it’s the embodiment of characters’ voices, bringing them to life on the page.
“Dialogue is the art of revealing a character’s inner world through their words.”
— John Truby, The Anatomy of Story (2007)
Dialogue is the art of crafting words that unveil the complexities and depth of a character’s inner world.
“Dialogue should be like a dance, where the characters move and respond to each other’s words.”
— Elmore Leonard, Ten Rules of Writing (2008)
Dialogue, like a graceful dance, involves characters’ words flowing and interacting, guiding the story forward.
3.4 Dialogue as a Challenge
📖 Quotes about the challenges of writing effective dialogue, such as finding the right balance between exposition and action.
“Dialogue is a dying art. It’s being replaced by lectures. The lecture is easy. All you do is talk. Dialogue is hard because you have to listen.”
— David Mamet, The Guardian (2014)
Dialogue requires active listening and engagement between characters, unlike lectures which involve one-sided communication.
“Dialogue should be like a ping pong game with a good rhythm to it, and the subject matter should keep changing, not staying on one topic too long.”
— James Goldman, Adventures in the Screen Trade (1983)
Effective dialogue involves dynamic back-and-forth exchanges between characters, with varying topics to maintain engagement.
“The rules of writing dialogue are the same as the rules of writing prose, only more so.”
— Elmore Leonard, 10 Rules of Writing (2008)
Writing dialogue adheres to the same principles of good prose, but with heightened attention to clarity, conciseness, and characterization.
“The greatest challenge in dialogue writing is creating a believable and compelling voice for each character while keeping their speech patterns distinct.”
— J.K. Rowling, The Writers’ Digest (2007)
The challenge lies in crafting unique and authentic voices for characters while maintaining consistency and individuality in their speech.
“Dialogue is action. It’s not just characters talking, it’s characters doing.”
— David Mamet, On Directing (1991)
Effective dialogue serves as a means of character development and plot progression, driving the story forward through actions and interactions.
“The best dialogue is not about exposition, it’s about revelation.”
— John Truby, The Anatomy of Story (2007)
Dialogue should reveal character motivations, relationships, and inner conflicts, rather than simply conveying information.
“Dialogue is not just words on a page. It’s music.”
— Aaron Sorkin, The Paris Review (2012)
Dialogue, like music, has rhythm, melody, and harmony, contributing to the overall aesthetic and emotional impact of a story.
“The most important thing about dialogue is that it should sound like real people talking. Avoid unnatural or stilted language.”
— Stephen King, On Writing (2000)
Dialogue should mirror natural speech patterns, capturing the essence of real-life conversations.
“Dialogue is not a verbal duel. It’s a dance.”
— Terrence McNally, The Dramatist’s Toolkit (2007)
Dialogue is a collaborative effort between characters, resembling a synchronized dance where each participant responds and contributes to the flow of the conversation.
“Write the way you talk. Simply. Honestly. Directly.”
— Annie Dillard, The Writing Life (1989)
Dialogue should mirror natural speech patterns, utilizing simple, honest, and direct language to convey authenticity.
“Dialogue is the most important part of writing. It’s what brings the characters to life and makes the story real.”
— Elmore Leonard, 10 Rules of Writing (2008)
Dialogue plays a pivotal role in character development and creating a believable and engaging story.
“Dialogue should be like a tennis match. Back and forth, fast and furious.”
— James Michener, The World Is Your Home (1992)
Dialogue should possess a dynamic quality, resembling a fast-paced tennis match with lively exchanges between characters.
“The way a writer constructs dialogue often reveals more about their own worldview than about their characters.”
— Jhumpa Lahiri, The Paris Review (2013)
Dialogue reflects the writer’s perspectives, values, and beliefs, providing insights into their own worldview.
“The hardest thing about writing dialogue is knowing how much to leave out.”
— Anton Chekhov, A Letter to a Young Writer (1888)
The challenge lies in editing and refining dialogue, striking a balance between providing sufficient information and avoiding unnecessary details.
“Dialogue is not just words. It’s subtext. It’s body language. It’s the space between the words.”
— David Mamet, On Directing Film (1991)
Dialogue encompasses more than just spoken words; it involves body language, subtext, and the unspoken communication between characters.
“The secret to good dialogue is to listen to how people talk in real life.”
— David Sedaris, Me Talk Pretty One Day (2000)
Observing and capturing the nuances of real-life conversations is key to writing realistic and authentic dialogue.
“Dialogue should be like a ping-pong game. The characters should be volleying ideas and emotions back and forth, keeping the reader engaged.”
— James N. Frey, How to Write a Damn Good Novel II (2009)
Dialogue should resemble a dynamic and engaging ping-pong match, with characters exchanging ideas, emociones and information.
“The best dialogue is not the kind that sounds like it was written. It’s the kind that sounds like it was spoken.”
— Elmore Leonard, 10 Rules of Writing (2008)
Effective dialogue should sound natural and spontaneous, capturing the essence of spoken language.
“Dialogue is the lifeblood of a story. It’s what brings the characters to life and makes the reader feel like they’re part of the action.”
— Janet Evanovich, How I Write (2011)
Dialogue serves as the driving force of a story, breathing life into characters and immersing readers in the narrative.
3.5 Voice and Style
📖 Quotes about the importance of developing a unique voice and style for your writing, including tips on how to achieve this.
“The voice is the instrument of the writer.”
— Toni Morrison, The Source of Self-Regard (1984)
Writers use their voices to communicate their ideas, feelings, and stories with readers.
“Style is the dance of intelligence among words.”
— William Carlos Williams, The Embodiment of Knowledge (1954)
Style is the way writers express their unique voices and ideas in their writing.
“The voice is the personality of the writer.”
— John Gardner, The Art of Fiction (1983)
The writer’s voice is what makes their writing unique and memorable.
“Voice is the writer’s fingerprint.”
— Janet Burroway, Writing Fiction (1982)
The writer’s voice is as individual as their fingerprint.
“Style is the way in which the writer conveys his vision to the reader.”
— William H. Gass, A Temple of Texts (1985)
The writer’s style is the way they share their ideas and stories with readers.
“Your voice is your passport to the world.”
— Kate DiCamillo, Because of Winn-Dixie (2000)
The writer’s voice is what allows them to connect with readers and share their stories.
“The job of the writer is to make the reader see with his eyes.”
— Eudora Welty, One Writer’s Beginnings (1984)
The writer’s job is to create a vivid and memorable experience for the reader.
“Style is the way we say what we have to say.”
— Stephen King, On Writing (2000)
Style is the way writers communicate their ideas and stories to readers.
“The voice is the most powerful tool the writer has.”
— Maya Angelou, The Heart of a Woman (1981)
The writer’s voice is what gives their writing power and impact.
“Write with the door open.”
— Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast (1964)
Writers should be open to new ideas and influences when they are writing.
“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.”
— Dorothy Parker, The New Yorker (1929)
Writers should be confident in their own voices and not worry about what others think.
“Avoid using words that are too big for the subject. Don’t say ‘infinitude’ when you mean ‘large’ or ‘vast’.”
— Mark Twain, Advice to Young Writers (1889)
Writers should use simple language that is easy for readers to understand.
“If you want to improve your style, read good writers, listen to good music, and surround yourself with interesting people.”
— Truman Capote, The Dogs Bark (1973)
Writers can improve their style by exposing themselves to good writing, music, and company.
“The most important thing is to have a voice of your own.”
— James Baldwin, The Price of the Ticket (1985)
Writers should strive to develop their own unique voice and style.
“Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and techniques.”
— Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (2007)
Writers should be willing to try new things and experiment with different ways of writing.
“The best way to find your voice is to write and write and write.”
— Neil Gaiman, Make Good Art (2019)
Writers can find their voice by writing regularly and practicing their craft.
“The best writing is that which makes the reader feel something.”
— Ernest Hemingway, Death in the Afternoon (1932)
The goal of writing is to evoke emotion and create a connection with the reader.
“The world is full of stories just waiting to be told.”
— Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale (1985)
Writers have an endless supply of stories to tell, they just need to find them.
“There is no such thing as good writing, only good rewriting.”
— Robert Frost, The Letters of Robert Frost (1964)
Writers should be willing to revise and edit their work in order to make it the best it can be.