Why Is Dialogue So Important

Why Is Dialogue So Important?

Dialogue is definitely one of my strengths, probably because I love reading it. Before purchasing a book, I’ll often flick through the pages searching for quote marks. The more dialogue driven the novel appears to be, the more likely I am to part with my time and money.

So, why is dialogue so important?

• Dialogue ‘shows’ rather than ‘tells’ what is happening. When the characters ‘speak’, the reader is immediately drawn into the conversation and is given a much clearer understanding of the character’s motivation/s. They become far more invested when the protagonist verbalizes their thoughts, feelings and senses, especially if the alternative is to wade through pages of description.

• Dialogue delivers important information to the reader.

• It drives the action and propels the plot forward much faster than description.

• Well written dialogue makes characters more relatable. Readers will experience everything they are feeling and thinking. It clarifies their motivation/s.

• Dialogue creates a dynamic between the characters and enhances their connection as well as building connections between readers and characters. When you reveal personalities to the reader in this way, you will create bonds. The flow on effect leaves readers eager to keep turning those pages.

See below an example of dialogue taken from Gracie’s Girls where fifteen year old Katie is speaking with her friend Jay via Skype. I chose this scene because it shows the dynamic between the teenagers, quickly drives the plot forward and gives the reader a good idea about the personality of both characters. It also reveals their fears, anxiety and how they really feel about each other, triggering the reader to become more invested in what’s happening and what ‘might’ happen.

Short excerpt from Chapter 4 – Katie

“Katie, I have to break it off with Brandi,” Jay pipes up.

“No, I don’t want that. I don’t know why we did what we did but I won’t be able to live with myself if you drop Brandi now. I have to try and work this out with her. And besides, even if you did drop her, we can’t be together. It wouldn’t be right.”

“Why not?”

“It just wouldn’t. It’s like, I don’t know, like girl code. You just never go out with someone’s ex.”

“This is different, Katie. We’ve known each other, like, forever. You can’t just forget what happened on that bench.” He sits back in his chair, hands behind his head and stares at the ceiling. “I’m in love with you, Katie Barrett. Crap. There you go, I said it. Hooking up with Brandi is about the dumbest thing I ever did.” Jay checks himself out in the bottom corner of his monitor. He fiddles with his hair until it sticks up just the way he likes it.

“You’re in love with me? For real?” Part of me sings a million hail Mary Mother of Gods. “Sorry, Jay. I can’t do it to Brandi. That’s the end of it.”

He releases all the air from his lungs and sits forward. “Check out your timeline. You might change your mind when you see what those bitches said about you.”

I load up Facebook and there, for all the world to see, are at least twenty posts about the party.

“Oh Jay, what am I going to do?”

Click here for more information on writing dialogue. Writer’s Digest has been an excellent resource for me and I highly recommend the site to all writers. Another interesting site is Pegasus Books.

I hope you enjoyed my take on ‘dialogue’.

Take care all, Viv x