116: How to Write Dialogue

On the Institute’s Facebook page, someone asked about dialogue, which is such an important writing tool. Whether you’re writing to self-publish or traditionally publish, you really need to know about how to write dialogue.

Readers love dialogue because it makes a scene and a character come to life. Dialogue puts us into a  specific moment within a story and that’s a powerful thing for readers. But many writers struggle with dialogue and with making it feel lively, purposeful, and real.

So what should you do first in the pursuit of good dialogue?