Lecture Notes: Writing Compelling Dialogue by Jerry Jenkins

Introduction

• Jerry Jenkins emphasizes the importance of dialogue in writing.
• Dialogue keeps readers engaged and helps distinguish characters.
• Effective dialogue breaks up narrative summary and is less dense.

Six Keys to Writing Compelling Dialogue

1. Cut Dialogue to the Bone

• Omit needless words to make dialogue more powerful.
• Dialogue should be tight and representational of real conversation.
• Example: Simplify exchanges to convey the same meaning with fewer words.

2. Use Dialogue to Reveal Backstory

• Avoid information dumps; instead, layer backstory subtly.
• Dialogue should hint at past events, enticing readers to continue for more information.
• Example: Characters reference past events without detailed exposition.

3. Use Dialogue to Reveal Character

• Dialogue can show character traits and dynamics without explicit narration.
• Example: An exchange in a restaurant reveals aspects of three characters through their conversation.

4. Be Subtle in Dialogue

• Subtlety often separates good fiction from bad.
• Techniques include:
  • Subtext: Characters say different things from what they mean.
  • Sidestepping: Characters avoid direct answers, providing deeper insights.
  • Silence: Non-responses can be powerful, implying much through absence of words.

5. Read Dialogue Aloud

• Reading dialogue out loud helps ensure it sounds natural.
• Mark Twain's example from "Huckleberry Finn" illustrates accents without overdoing phonetics.

6. Strive for Iconic Dialogue

• Aim to create memorable lines that become integral to the story.
• Iconic lines don’t stand out until they become famous.

Miscellaneous Tips for Dialogue

• Use simple dialogue tags like "he said" or "she said."
• Avoid mannerisms of attribution (e.g., "he wheezed," "she gasped").
• Avoid naming characters too often in dialogue.
• Avoid unnecessary detail in actions related to dialogue (e.g., answering a phone).

Avoiding On-the-Nose Dialogue

• Avoid dialogue that mirrors real-life minutiae without advancing the story.
• Example: Skip unnecessary details about phone calls to focus on key emotional moments.

Conclusion

• Dialogue is a critical component of engaging writing.
• By applying these principles, writers can improve the impact of their dialogue.
• Free bonus available: self-editing checklist to refine manuscripts.