Use dialogue to create original characters, heighten conflict and suspense, and advance plot.
Good dialogue is a great tool for both fiction and nonfiction writers. Yet, many writers avoid it. Let’s demystify dialogue — exploring “real talk” versus written conversation; analyzing what characters should say and how they should say it; and identifying how speech creates action and propels the story forward. We’ll examine the appropriate use of tags, dialects, and how to balance summary, direct, and indirect dialogue. Participants will come away with an understanding of how to give voice to their characters on the page.
Live video conference: This workshop will be held via our online video conferencing platform, Zoom. You can view brief tutorials on using the platform here. On the start date or the day before, participants will receive an email with login info (please check your spam if you don’t see it).
In this workshop you’ll learn:
- Common dialogue mistakes
- Reveal character through dialogue
- Integrate dialogue, narrative, and action
- Effective use of indirect, direct, and summary dialogue
- Dialogue tags
Time requirements
- No time requirements out side of class.
Materials
- All reading materials will be provided.
Who should take this workshop?
- This overview workshop is for beginning and intermediate fiction and memoir writers who want to improve their dialogue skills.
If you need an accommodation for this workshop, please contact us at access@{{{{homeurl_non_www}}}}. We will attempt to fulfill all requests, but advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility services.
