Dialogue is one of the most dynamic components of a narrative. It’s where characters come to life, revealing their personalities, emotions, relationships, and histories. Yet, many writers struggle with crafting authentic dialogue that resonates with readers. The goal isn’t just to mirror real-life conversations but to refine and distill them into something that feels genuine while serving the story. Let’s explore how bestselling authors achieve this delicate balance.
Understanding Authentic Dialogue
Authentic dialogue captures the essence of genuine human interaction. It isn’t necessarily about mimicking the exact way people speak but conveying the true nature and spirit of conversation. Great dialogue reveals more than just words – it provides insights into character dynamics, setting, plot advancement, and underlying themes.
Techniques for Crafting Authentic Dialogue
Know Your Characters: The foundation of genuine dialogue is understanding who your characters are. Their backgrounds, education levels, relationships, personalities, and motivations shape their communication.
Example: Holden Caulfield's unique voice in J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" reflects his age, disaffection, and outlook. Phrases like “phony” are consistent with his teenage cynicism, making his dialogue feel genuine.
Embrace Subtext: People often speak in undertones, alluding to things unsaid. Subtext adds depth, allowing readers to infer underlying emotions or tensions.
Example: Ernest Hemingway’s "Hills Like White Elephants" is a masterclass in subtext. The dialogue dances around the topic of abortion, with neither character openly addressing it, mirroring their discomfort and emotional distance.
Vary Speech Patterns: Every individual has a distinct way of speaking. By diversifying speech patterns, authors can create a rich tapestry of characters.
Example: In "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, the way Atticus Finch speaks, calm and measured, contrasts sharply with the Ewells’ coarser, more aggressive dialogue.
Use Dialect and Slang Judiciously: While dialects and slang can add authenticity, overdoing them can make dialogue hard to read and feel forced.
Example: In "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston, the use of dialect paints a vivid picture of the setting and culture, without alienating readers.
Avoid Exposition Dumps: Dialogue shouldn’t be a tool to dump information. Exposition should be woven seamlessly into conversations or explored through other narrative devices.
Example: In "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown, while some critics argue there’s heavy exposition, Brown often uses character discussions and debates to convey information organically.
Observe Real Conversations: Listen to people talk – on the bus, in cafes, or during family gatherings. This will give you a sense of rhythm, interruption, and flow.
Read Aloud: By reading dialogue aloud, writers can catch unnatural phrasings or inconsistencies in a character’s voice.
Incorporate Body Language: Non-verbal cues often accompany dialogue, providing context and emotion.
Example: In Jane Austen’s "Pride and Prejudice", Elizabeth Bennet’s wit often comes accompanied by sparkling eyes or other subtle gestures, amplifying the impact of her words.
Minimize Dialogue Tags: Overusing tags like “he exclaimed” or “she whispered” can be distracting. Often, "said" suffices, and sometimes, the context makes even that unnecessary.
Example: J.K. Rowling, in the "Harry Potter" series, effectively uses dialogue tags. While she employs a mix, the pacing ensures that conversations remain dynamic and fluid.
Reflect on Theme and Setting: The era, location, and underlying themes of your story can influence how characters converse.
Example: In George Orwell’s "1984", the dialogue is often curt and guarded, mirroring the oppressive, dystopian society where free speech is a luxury.
Challenges in Crafting Authentic Dialogue
Balancing Authenticity with Understandability: While you may want to fully immerse your characters in period-accurate dialogue, consider your modern readers. Will they understand?
Example: In "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess, the protagonist Alex uses a futuristic slang called Nadsat. While immersive, it can also be challenging for readers to decipher.
Avoiding Stereotypes: Especially when writing characters from diverse backgrounds, it's crucial to avoid turning them into caricatures.
Example: "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett has been both lauded for its dialogue and criticized for potentially perpetuating racial stereotypes.
Conclusion
Dialogue is the lifeblood of character development and plot progression. Authentic dialogue isn’t just about mimicking real conversation, but refining it to serve the narrative while retaining its genuine essence. It's a tool, a weapon, and a bridge. As the characters speak, they should reveal, conceal, and evolve, pulling readers deeper into the world the author has crafted. As Elmore Leonard aptly put it, "If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it." So, let your characters speak, and let them do so authentically.
