Donna Maree Hanson, Author, Phd in Creative Writing

I’ve been reading a bit with an editing eye recently and realise how important the dialogue can be in a story. Not just the dialogue in the first three chapters but the dialogue on page 110 and 315. That is, it is important all the way through.

There is no point in being lazy when writing and revising, saying to yourself that ‘It will do’ or the ‘meaning is clear’. Because if it is flat then it brings the story down. If the dialogue is just to pass the time then it is boring. Also, dialogue is not just about question and answer, it is meant to reveal something about the character. For example, their mood, their intellect, their truthfulness, their relationships. You must bring in their body language. Think of how much silence can say.
You might think that is odd, using silence in dialogue and even in the written word but it does work. I owe that tip to Cate Kennedy, an wonderful and talented Australian writer (contemporary literary). By silence I mean non answers and what is not said. I am filching from Cate here, but at the time she said she filched the example from a student of hers so here goes.

“We need to talk.”
“About what?”
“Us.”
“What us?”

With just this bit of dialogue you can see a lot from what is said and what is unsaid. I find it quite powerful. If only I could be so innovative in my dialogue. I keep striving for it though.