How to Do Dialogue When Writing Fiction

Good dialogue is plausible, life-like conversation which reflects the character of the speaker and helps to provide necessary information to advance the plot.

Ah-ha! But how do you write good dialogue? Spend some time – lots of it, if you have it – listening to how people speak. Eavesdrop on buses, do whatever it takes. Then, when you are ready to set to work yourself, follow these simple steps and they should help make it easier for you.

• As an active listener, you will have noticed  that people use short, fragmented sentences, so keep your sentences short as well – multiple clauses and conversation don't mix.
• Most people are fairly self-centred and more interested in what they have to say than what the person they are talking to is on about. Often they will pursue the same line of thought through a number of short speeches, barely acknowledging anything which is being said to them. Have a go at recreating this scenario yourself.
• People have vocal mannerisms – little conversational tics – you know, I mean, right. Used sparingly, and I mean sparingly, these signature phrases can help to identify a character and make their speech seem naturalistic. Don't over do this, however, as it can be irritating.
• You can put spin on dialogue by close attention to how something is said, rather than simply what is said. The same sentence can have a vastly different meaning if it is spoken differently: I love you can sound, tender, or passionate, or even vengeful.
• Repetition is fine in spoken dialogue and can help make it seem realistic, though it is to be avoided in straight prose.
• Don't be afraid to chop things up illogically from time to time. People do murderous things with syntax when they are talking: try it out, why don't you? 

If you want a little writing exercise to be going on with, jot down a duologue between two characters and then remove all the identifying references – he said, she asked, Joan smiled, Sally sobbed etc - and see if you can make out who is talking from the way that they say things.

Must be time for a door...