Dramatic Dialogue Exercise
Think about some of the fascinating conversations you've overheard
recently. What kept you tuned in as those people chattered on and on?
Chances are, you learned a great deal about those people in just a few
short moments and were left wanting to know more. You can do that with
your dialogue too.
Start by writing a dramatic conversation, using two of the characters you've
created for your short stories. Here are some suggestions to get you going:
1. Write a scene of dialogue that creates tension between your protagonist
and a supporting character.
2. Write a scene of dialogue where your antagonist reveals something to
your protagonist.
3. Write a scene of dialogue where a supporting character tells your
protagonist something that will change the course of the protagonist's
actions.
4. Write a scene of dialogue that shows how a supporting character and
your antagonist interact.
5. Write a scene of dialogue that shows the relationship between your
protagonist and your antagonist.
6. Write a scene of dialogue that reveals a plot twist.
What makes a good descriptive passage?
Three elements make up a good descriptive passage:
specific, well-observed detail
revelation of the character's inner life
motivation, the impulse that drives that character
Tips
Choose what to describe.
Look at people, places and things around you in a new way. Notice not just the obvious
details, but also the less obvious, subconscious details.
Choose when to describe.
Description slows down a scene. Avoid describing a story element in the midst of an
action scene unless you want a pause in the momentum. Only describe when the
description serves more than one purpose. Describe a character only when she has an
impact on another character or when the description advances the story or you want to
slow down the pacing.
Choose whose point of view to use.
Describing something from a character's point of view makes the description more lively
and entertaining to read. "The man wore a shifty expression and dark, cutoff jean
shorts" is not as lively as, "The man's shifty expression was the first thing Jane noticed-that, and his dark, fraying jean cutoffs gave her serious misgivings."
Be specific, but not too specific. Do not let the details you write limit the reader's
imagination.
How many of you have read a book and had an image of the hero in mind and when
you look at the book cover, you see something completely wrong? Your descriptions
should be open-ended enough to evoke images in the reader's mind. However, it is also
the writer’s job to direct the reader's interpretation by furnishing broad impressions. Do
not assume the reader will draw "obvious" conclusions from the details. (Remember
what they say when you assume.)
Vary your sentence structure so that the descriptive details are included in the action.
Avoid purple prose, or overly flowery and descriptive language.
There is nothing wrong with eloquent or lengthy descriptions, but avoid abusing
adjectives and adverbs in writing your descriptions.
Use description to characterize.
Description can characterize both the person described and the person viewing.