While we’ve chatted all about great dialogue this year, we haven’t yet covered how to make it great between people. Yes, individual characters gotta have personality, rich inner lives, and convincing body language. But for dialogue to become more than just plot business—for it to become a sparking, crackling set of volleys that fill the… Continue reading

What’s up, fellow word nerds? We’ve got a hefty one today, but I’m continuing to beat a singular drum: just like spoken dialogue and interiority, the purpose of body language is to show more than just what characters do (or say, or think). The purpose of body language is to show us who characters are.… Continue reading

“What are they thinking/feeling?”“Consider letting them react, internally or otherwise—this is a big moment.”“Let us into their mind a little. Do they think that plan is a good one?” These are some of the most common notes I leave on the manuscripts I edit. In those scenes, it’s a given that I’ll find dialogue and… Continue reading

Look, I’m not gonna waste your one precious life going on about the importance of great dialogue. You already frickin’ know it’s important. What I will tell you is something you may know intuitively, but may not know how to actually do: Really good dialogue is distinct between characters—and it’s distinct because it shows off… Continue reading