How I Write - Dialogue

Hello all!

Sorry for another long delay...I had midterms...-_-'

Generally when I write, the part that I often have trouble with...depending on chapter and where I am in the story line...is Dialogue. 

For starters, I've been told (many times when I started out...lol) that when characters speak it should always start on a new line. That's just the format.

Now for realistic dialogue, I would say...think like your character. You should have an idea of how they would speak and sound, so it will help eliminate things your character should not say. I tend to use things I would actually say. Sometimes a conversation in one of my stories can be one that I've had with a friend...=)

A lot of inspiration can be taken from movies and TV, but at the same time I would advise to keep it original and only use something if it genuinely works...don't fill your dialogue with lines from shows from A-Z...make the line your own. Recently someone on Booksie mentioned that when Dallas (from SWFF) said 'As you wish' to Natalia as they broke up, it reminded them of Wesley from The Princess Bride, because when Wesley would say that he meant to say I love you...and I said yes that was a moment inspired by that movie. There are always going to be scenes which stand out and strike a chord with you, believe me...some pictures and scenes just speak to me...so if you decide to recreate them using your characters, make it Original. 

At times, I have struggled with conversation. When that happens, I tend to leave it for a little while, and start writing the next chapter, before coming back to it. Conversation is admittedly hard to write depending on situation. Break-up scenes and scenes with affection are the hardest for me to write. When writing emotion, I try to convey it not just with the words that a character might say but also with the setting of the scene. In a way, the setting can bring out your dialogue. For example, in IOT when Mia and Matthew broke up, it was raining and overall a sombre atmosphere. When you write scenes with dialogue which is intensely emotional...I find listening to the same mood in music really helps. 

With dialogue writing it wrong, can make a character seem dense, idiotic...stupid...you get my drift. Always get a feeling for the scene and then write. Always check your dialogue to see if it flows. If you aren't satisfied with how something is reading off...it's not right. 

Near the end of IOT I was having trouble with some dialogue. So when I would go back to edit it, I would always find something to change. By the time I got ready to post it, I felt like there was nothing to change...and I knew it was just the way I wanted it. That's always a telling sign.

Remember that you are writing for yourself. If you're not happy, then it's not right. I always go through my dialogue to make sure characters are sounding the way I hear them in my mind, visualization always helps. 

Sorry about how short this post is...I haven't had much time...and I'm not sure how to describe writing dialogue? Maybe if you have some specific questions I can help? lol!

Anyway, hope this helps!

Much Love,
Andene