Learn about the importance of dialogue in storytelling and how it serves the story. Explore effective dialogue techniques, compare dialogue styles in different TV shows, and analyze the dialogue in 'Steal The Stars'. Get creative with a two-minute, two-character dialogue assignment and join the membership community to share your work.
Good dialogue serves multiple purposes, such as moving the plot forward, deepening character development, and providing humor or wit.
Listening to the podcast 'Steel the Stars' by Mac Rogers provides valuable insights into the effective use of dialogue, showcasing the power of dialogue in building tension, crafting compelling characters, and creating an immersive storytelling experience.
Deep dives
The Power of Dialogue in Writing
Dialogue is a crucial element in all forms of writing, whether it's for plays, fiction, podcasts, or prose. It allows characters to come alive and reveal their thoughts, personalities, and interactions. Good dialogue serves multiple purposes, such as moving the plot forward, deepening character development, and providing humor or wit. It should sound natural, fitting the voice of each character while serving the story's overall purpose. Dialogue should be functional and serve the larger story, respecting the situation and the tone being portrayed. Just remember that dialogue doesn't have to be perfect or strive for cleverness. What matters most is that it resonates and works within the context of your writing.
The Lessons from 'Steel the Stars' Podcast
Listening to the podcast 'Steel the Stars' by Mac Rogers provides valuable insights into the effective use of dialogue. Pay attention to how each line of dialogue serves a purpose, whether it's driving the plot, providing exposition, adding humor, or revealing character depth. Mac Rogers, being a seasoned playwright, masterfully utilizes dialogue to advance the story. Analyze how the characters' interactions and lines contribute to the overall narrative and engage the audience. 'Steel the Stars' showcases the power of dialogue in building tension, crafting compelling characters, and creating an immersive storytelling experience.
Your Assignment: Crafting a Two-Minute Dialogue
Your assignment is to write a two-minute, two-character dialogue, encompassing approximately 200 words. Begin the dialogue with the line 'Put the milk on the table' and conclude it with the line 'We are really only at the beginning.' Focus on developing the story, character, or tone throughout the conversation. Consider whether the dialogue drives the plot, deepens character relationships, or highlights the theme you want to convey. Keep in mind the medium you are working in, whether it's plays, prose, or screenwriting, and find a balance between levity and gravity to suit your writing goals. Don't hesitate to experiment with different approaches to dialogue writing and share your work on the Start With This membership forum to engage with fellow creators.
Final Thoughts on Dialogue Writing
When crafting dialogue, avoid relying solely on it to set up narrative exposition. Instead, strive to find more subtle and natural ways to convey information. Don't feel pressured to make every line clever or humorous, particularly if it doesn't align with the story's tone. Remember, dialogue should work within the larger context of your piece, respecting the reader or listener's experience. Maintain simplicity, focusing on what each line needs to accomplish. Also, be mindful of the challenges and rewards of capturing vernacular speech or different character voices. Writing dialogue takes practice, and while it may not be perfect, aiming for dialogue that serves the story is key. By understanding the power and nuance of dialogue, you can elevate your writing and engage your audience.
Writing dialogue can be daunting because you can’t rely own your own narrative voice— the characters have to speak for themselves. Joseph and Jeffrey deconstruct the popular advice that every line of dialogue has to move the plot forward, to talk instead about how the best dialogue is the kind that serves your story.
Consume: Listen to Episode 1 of Steal The Stars, a podcast by Mac Rogers. Pay close attention to each line of dialogue and what it does for the story.
Create: Write a 200-word, two-character dialogue. If you’re writing for audio, the recorded piece should come out to about 2 minutes.
The first line of your piece must be, “Put the milk on the table” and the last line must be, “We are really only at the beginning.” Keep the purpose of the dialogue in mind as you write. If you’re feeling ambitious, try it again with a different reason for the dialogue.
Credits: Jeffrey Cranor (host) & Joseph Fink (host), Julia Melfi (producer), Grant Stewart (editor), Vincent Cacchione (mixer). Rob Wilson (logo). Produced by Night Vale Presents.
