Dialogue: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Effective Dialogue

by Gloria Kempton

Book Overview

Craft Compelling Dialogue When should your character talk, what should (or shouldn't) he say, and when should he say it? How do you know when dialogue--or the lack thereof--is dragging down your... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582972893
• ISBN13: 9781582972893
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

Helpful guide for great dialogue

This book, along with the others in the series, is such a valuable item in a writer's bookshelf. I'm still torn between this and the other series by Orson Scott and other authors but I like both.

Beyond complete

This book contains all of the advice on dialogue I've read anywhere and much more. It is much better than the book by Tom Chiarella who has a whole chapter on listening to people talk by including psychological advice on how to crowd people. Kempton advises listening, end of story. While typing people into only nine personality categories doesn't seem to account for all of us, it is useful for the writer to choose such a type for each character. I may expand the list. She includes teen dialogue. More to the point she talks about how to weave dialogue, action, and narrative so it is much broader than it sounds. Eloise Hamann

Surprisingly GREAT!

I read the few reviews that were available on this book before I purchased it. That said, I wasn't expecting the dead-on, delightfully comedic, phychology behind every chapter written!! I found myself thinking '...who is this author and how does she know my every thought, my every fear and my every excuse to put off until tomorrow what I should have done last year.' I have taken one of her on-line writing classes and found it to be a non-productive experience (for myself). But she deserves 5 STARS--connecting very well with each of her students--via her own written word. I HIGHLY RECCOMMEND HER BOOK.

Not a "Lazy Writer" Book

I think I understand why some ratings here are low and I also have feeling some folks were expecting someone to magically plop all the rules of dialogue in their laps. Sad news, darlings, you must WORK at learning dialogue and practice as the author delineates in this book. Before, I was very stiff in my dialogue and overworked it to death, and after this book? I'm no longer afraid of it. I have a better grasp on how character personalities work in combination with how they speak. I'm know now that every dialogue needs three crucial components to have balance. The author uses concise examples and literary excerpts from top notch authors to get her points across, and she does a great job. Don't worry about the lazy naysayers, they wanted a quick list of how to's and don't understand how patience and practice DO pay off in the end. (And to Thriller lover in particular, you don't have a clue do you? A character's personality has everything to do with dialogue, it's what makes their voice unique. Why do you think she included an entire chapter on it? Gah! *shakes head* )

Painless Way to Write

I purchased this book because it was a requirement for a Writers On-Line class that focused on dialogue. Prepared for a dry book on the subject, I was pleasantly surprised at the approach and examples. It focuses on all writing and not specific genres. This book is on my reference shelf and will remain there as a valuable tool and reminder of what I need to incorporate in my romance writing.

Finally, an Excellent Dialogue Book

I was worried there was no such thing as a decent dialogue book. I wanted to buy "Dialogue" from the "Elements of Fiction Writing" series but the reviews were horrible. I instead bought "Writing Dialogue". The book was horrible, a waste of time and money. I was starting to think there was no such thing as a decent dialogue book. Perhaps no more than one or two dozen pages could be written on the subject. Gloria Kempton in her excellent "Dialogue" book from the new "Write Great Fiction" series from the excellent "Writer's Digest Books" publisher laid my fears to rest. I was very jaded from my horrible experiance with "Writing Dialogue" and read this book with a very poor attitude to start. As the chapters went by, I found my self liking the book and learning excellent points. By the time I got to chapter five, Narrative, Dialogue, and Action, she had won me over. I learned much from her. Some highlights: Make your scenes three dimensional. Narration, action, dialogue. Don't bother with huge multi-page descriptions of your charactors to get a handle on their emotions and drives. All humans fall into nine catagories. Place your charactors in one of these catagories and 90 percent of your work is done. I am number five, the observer. My wife is number nine, the peacemaker. To really get to know a charactor write a few page monolog of them speaking to you. The power of dialogue to do many things, quicken the pace, add excitement and emotion, touch the reader's heartstrings, control the scope of the novel. Different types of novels and the type of dialogue they require. A must buy by anyone serious about writing. PS I have had excellent results from the "Writer's Digest Books" publisher. I have most of their "Elements of Fiction Writing Books" and an working on getting all of their new "Write Great Fiction" books. They seemed to have kicked it up a few notches with this new series. Top notch stuff!