How to edit dialogue for authenticity
How to edit dialogue for authenticity. Dialogue is the backbone of any story, lending voice to characters, revealing their personalities, and propelling the plot. Without it, characters remain voiceless and the narrative static. Yet, crafting authentic dialogue—dialogue that resonates with readers and feels genuinely grounded in character and context—is a significant challenge. With this guide, we aim to demystify the process and offer actionable steps to improve your dialogue editing skills.
Key Takeaways
| Key Concepts | Key Takeaways |
|---|---|
| Authentic Dialogue | Authentic dialogue accurately represents a character’s unique voice, reflecting their personality, background, and emotions while feeling believable and purposeful. |
| Listening and Observation | Actively observing real-world conversations and understanding characters’ voices can significantly improve dialogue authenticity. |
| Writing the First Draft | Balance character voice, information delivery, and the use of subtext and indirect speech to draft engaging dialogue. |
| Editing for Authenticity | Maintain consistency in character voice, avoid exposition dumps, and judiciously use dialogue tags to edit dialogue for authenticity. |
| Dealing with Dialects, Accents, and Jargon | Use dialects, accents, and jargon to add depth to your characters and settings, while also ensuring readability. |
| Show vs. Tell in Dialogue | Convey emotions and information implicitly, using dialogue to show rather than tell. |
| Fine-tuning Pacing in Dialogue | Adjust dialogue pacing to match the story’s mood and events. |
| Feedback and Final Edits | Incorporate feedback from beta readers and conduct final editing rounds to polish dialogue for clarity and impact. |
| Dialogue Editing Tools | Use tools like Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and Hemingway App to assist with grammar, clarity, and readability in dialogue editing. |
| Learning from Case Studies | Analyzing how other writers handle dialogue can provide valuable insights and examples. |
Understanding Authentic Dialogue
What is Authentic Dialogue?
Authentic dialogue represents the unique voices of characters, reflecting their backgrounds, perspectives, and emotions. It feels natural and believable, aligning with the character’s personality and the story’s context. It should not be mistaken for verbatim real-life conversation, often filled with small talk, redundancies, and non-sequiturs. Instead, authentic dialogue distills the essence of genuine conversation, delivering emotion and advancing the plot without unnecessary filler.
The Role of Authentic Dialogue
Authentic dialogue serves two main purposes: character development and plot progression. It brings characters to life, showcasing their attitudes, beliefs, and emotions, while advancing the storyline in an engaging manner. A powerful example can be found in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, where the distinct and believable dialogue is integral to both the plot’s forward momentum and the profound character development.
Authentic Dialogue vs. Realistic Conversation
Though it’s crucial to make dialogue believable, it need not replicate real-life conversation perfectly. Effective dialogue is more streamlined and purposeful. It balances the natural speech’s organic flow with the need for narrative clarity and engagement. As Elmore Leonard wisely said, “Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.”
The Art of Listening
Observing Everyday Conversations
To write authentically, you need to become an astute observer of real-world conversations. This doesn’t mean eavesdropping on every exchange you encounter, but rather developing an ear for the rhythms, pacing, and natural interruptions found in everyday speech. NPR’s StoryCorps offers an excellent resource for authentic conversation samples, with interviews covering a wide range of topics and individuals.
The Voices of Your Characters
In-depth understanding of your characters is fundamental to crafting authentic dialogue. Get to know your characters—their backgrounds, beliefs, fears, and ambitions. How would they express themselves? A tough, street-smart detective won’t speak in the same way as an erudite professor. Remember, dialogue is a powerful tool for characterization.
Writing Dialogue – First Draft
Creating a Strong Base
When drafting dialogue, focus on individual character voices. Each character should have a distinctive way of speaking that reflects their personality, background, and context. For example, in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, the noble-born characters speak in formal tones, reflecting their upbringing, while commoners often use more colloquial language.
Balancing Information and Engagement
Strive to ensure your dialogue serves the story rather than turning into an information dump. Interweave details organically, avoiding long monologues or overt exposition. Look at how J.K. Rowling masterfully balances information and engagement in the Harry Potter series, using dialogue to reveal critical plot details without ever losing reader interest.
Use of Subtext and Indirect Speech
Characters, like real people, often speak indirectly or imply what they mean rather than stating it outright. Use subtext to reveal unspoken emotions, tensions, or conflicts. Remember the iconic scene from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice when Mr. Darcy confesses his love to Elizabeth? The subtext is powerful, revealing their complex emotions and the societal constraints they face.
Editing for Authenticity
Approaching the First Edit
When you first edit your dialogue, look for inconsistencies in character voices and excessive exposition. Ensure the dialogue serves the story, either by revealing character traits, deepening relationships, or advancing the plot. Here, Stephen King’s advice is worth heeding: “When dialogue is right, we know. When it’s wrong, it lies there on the page, lifeless.”
Consistency in Character Voice
Each character should have a consistent voice reflecting their personality and background. An out-of-character remark can jar the reader and break the story’s immersive quality. If your quiet scholar suddenly uses slang without a good reason, it might be time for some editing.
Avoiding Exposition Dump
Characters shouldn’t tell each other things they already know for the reader’s benefit. It’s an unrealistic use of dialogue that quickly rings false. Show characters living their lives, interacting naturally, and revealing details organically. If you find exposition dumps in your dialogue, consider if the information can be revealed in a more natural, engaging way.
Dialogue Tags: When and How to Use Them
The purpose of dialogue tags is to show who’s speaking, but they should be used judiciously. Stick with simple tags like “said” or “asked” most of the time—they’re unobtrusive and keep the reader’s focus on the dialogue itself. Creative tags or adverb-laden descriptions can become distracting, like a stage director continually interrupting a performance. As Leonard also advises, “Never use a verb other than ‘said’ to carry dialogue.”
Dealing with Dialects, Accents, and Jargon
Including Dialects and Accents
Dialects and accents can add depth to characters and settings, but they can also be tricky to write without resorting to stereotypes or confusing readers. It’s usually best to suggest an accent or dialect through word choice and sentence structure rather than attempting to phonetically reproduce it. Mark Twain is known for his skilled use of dialect in novels like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Utilizing Jargon
If a character is a lawyer, they might naturally use legal jargon. But remember, while authenticity is important, so is readability. Use specialized language sparingly and in a context where its meaning is clear to keep your dialogue accessible.
Show vs. Tell in Dialogue
The Power of Implicit Messages
Implication often carries more weight than outright statement. A character revealing their fear of heights by saying, “I’ve never been one for tall buildings,” is more engaging than stating, “I am afraid of heights.” Show emotions and information through dialogue, not just in what is said, but in what is left unsaid.
Turning Narrative Descriptions into Dialogue
Instead of telling readers a character is angry, let that anger seep into their dialogue. Let their words and actions show readers what they’re feeling. For instance, rather than writing, “John was furious,” try, “‘Who the hell do you think you are?’ John spat out the words.”
Fine-tuning Pacing in Dialogue
Understanding the Rhythm of Dialogue
Dialogue often mirrors the pace of the story. Quick, terse exchanges can speed up the pace, while longer, more reflective dialogue can slow it down. Use this to your advantage to create tension or give readers a breather.
Adjusting Pacing
Be sure to adjust the pacing in dialogue to match the story’s mood and events. An action-packed scene may require quick, punchy dialogue, while a reflective or emotional scene might call for longer, more introspective conversations.
Beta Readers, Feedback, and Final Edits
Incorporating Beta Reader Feedback
Beta readers can offer invaluable feedback on how well your dialogue is working. They can spot inconsistencies, flag confusing or unnatural speech, and suggest areas for improvement. While it’s important to maintain your unique voice and vision, consider their feedback carefully.
Final Editing Rounds
After incorporating feedback, it’s time for the final editing rounds. Here, you’re polishing dialogue for clarity, impact, and consistency. Look for areas to trim, tighten, and tweak, ensuring every line of dialogue serves a purpose and feels true to the character and the story.
Tools and Software for Dialogue Editing
There are numerous writing and editing tools available to assist you. Tools like Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and Hemingway App can help identify issues with grammar, clarity, and readability. However, while these tools can be useful, they can’t substitute for a deep understanding of your characters and the mechanics of dialogue.
Case Studies of Authentic Dialogue
Finally, reading widely and analyzing how other writers handle dialogue can be incredibly instructive. Pay attention to how writers like Aaron Sorkin, Quentin Tarantino, or novelists like Cormac McCarthy and Margaret Atwood craft authentic, engaging dialogue.
Conclusion (How to edit dialogue for authenticity)
Editing dialogue for authenticity is a crucial skill for any writer. It requires a keen understanding of your characters, careful listening, and meticulous editing. With practice and patience, you can ensure that your characters’ voices ring true and resonate with readers. As you delve into the process, remember the words of Sol Stein: “Dialogue is not just quotation. It is grimaces, pauses, adjustments of blouse buttons, doodles on a napkin, and crossings of legs.”
Additional Resources
- Recommended Books: “Dialogue” by Robert McKee, “Writing Dialogue for Scripts” by Rib Davis
- Relevant Online Courses: Coursera’s Creative Writing Specialization
- Forums and Communities: Scribophile, Absolute Write Water Cooler
FAQ
Should I avoid adverbs in dialogue tags?
- Often, yes. Adverbs can be seen as a shortcut and might undermine the dialogue’s effect. It’s usually better to convey the character’s tone or emotion through their words or actions.
How can I make my characters sound different from each other?
- Consider their background, education, personality, and experiences. These factors should influence their speech patterns, vocabulary, and rhythm.
What if my dialogue sounds unnatural or stilted?
- Reading it aloud can help identify awkward phrasing. Also, consider whether your characters are speaking in a way that’s true to their character and situation.
How do I balance authenticity with readability when using dialects or jargon?
- Suggest dialects and use jargon sparingly, ensuring that the context makes their meaning clear. Your priority is to keep your dialogue accessible to your readers.
Appendix: Dialogue Editing Checklist
- Character Voice Consistency: Does each character have a consistent, unique voice?
- Avoiding Exposition Dumps: Does your dialogue reveal information organically, avoiding forced or unnatural exposition?
- Effective Use of Subtext: Does your dialogue imply more than it
Top Five Questions and Answers
| Questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Should I avoid adverbs in dialogue tags? | Often, yes. Adverbs can be seen as a shortcut and might undermine the dialogue’s effect. It’s usually better to convey the character’s tone or emotion through their words or actions. |
| How can I make my characters sound different from each other? | Consider their background, education, personality, and experiences. These factors should influence their speech patterns, vocabulary, and rhythm. |
| What if my dialogue sounds unnatural or stilted? | Reading it aloud can help identify awkward phrasing. Also, consider whether your characters are speaking in a way that’s true to their character and situation. |
| How do I balance authenticity with readability when using dialects or jargon? | Suggest dialects and use jargon sparingly, ensuring that the context makes their meaning clear. Your priority is to keep your dialogue accessible to your readers. |
| How can I ensure that my dialogue serves the plot and characters? | Ensure that every piece of dialogue serves a purpose, either revealing character traits, deepening relationships, or advancing the plot. |