Writing Dialogue

A lot of writers struggle with writing dialogue. For me, dialogue comes naturally. While writing dialogue, I go through a mental checklist of things.

1. Character Traits

It's easier to write a character when they're simplified to one character trait. While I write dialogue, one of the first things I ask myself is who my character is. To answer this question, I often distill the character to one trait: for example, sarcastic. It's easier to write a character's dialogue based on that one trait. For example, if someone is sarcastic, they're probably not going to say something kind or sincere. They're going to be insincere, so you have to take that into account when writing dialogue.

That's easier to consider than picturing a three dimensional character in front of you. Real people are complicated. They have many layers. They aren't just sarcastic or honest or embarrassed; they're many things. If you concentrate on all these things at the same time, then it's going to be difficult to write. Therefore, you simplify.

2. Think Conversation

One of the most important things to remember is that dialogue is conversation. If you're stuck writing dialogue, try to picture yourself having a conversation with your character. What would they say? What kind of emotions are they feeling at that moment in time? If this character was a real person, would their dialogue sound natural?

You also have to consider the other people in a conversation. One of the things that I always ask myself as I'm writing conversation is if there are other people in the room. It's easy to get caught up in two characters and their interactions, but if there's another person, that would change the dynamic. Consider yourself. When you're telling your best friend a story, you would act differently than you would if you were telling that same story to your parents or a stranger.

3. Frame as an Argument

One of my favorite screenwriters is Aaron Sorkin. Sorkin is famous for his work in writing the Social Network and the West Wing, one of my favorite TV shows of all time. He has a very distinctive style. All of his dialogue is punchy. Sorkin writes fast-talking characters. While they don't seem natural in real life, Sorkin's dialogue is just so fun. The conversations he writes always seem to have a flow about them.

For example, in the first episode of the West Wing, all the key characters are introduced. Instead of making a massive info-dump explaining all the characters and their personalities, the characters bounce off each other. For example, take the introduction of Josh Lyman. Before Josh even appears on screen, we have some idea of who he is based on what the other characters are saying as they speculate whether or not Josh will be fired for an incident during an interview on live TV. Sorkin could've introduced Josh any other way, but it creates viewer intrigue because no one knows what Josh has done and why his job is in danger.

How does Sorkin create this effect?

He does it through argument. The characters' personalities are explained by them bumping off each other, arguing about different circumstances. It's so much more entertaining than having a group of characters always agree with each other.

4. Write What You Know

I know. You've heard it a million times before. It's like that generic writing advice that people give you in a creative writing class. But it's true. Don't write about a fast-talking street-wise detective if that's not who you are. Chances are your dialogue won't sound natural. That's why in YA novels written by older people, the dialogue doesn't sound real, because chances are it's been decades since the author was in high school. You should apply the same principle to your work.

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