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WRITING BELIEVABLE DIALOGUE
We frequently discuss the pitfalls of stilted dialogue. It's a problem that hounds many screenwriters, especially our less experienced brothers and sisters. We will explore some of the do's and don'ts of writing dialogue, but the entire solution can be summed up in one short sentence:
WRITE LIKE PEOPLE TALK!!!
Really, it's that simple. Here is an example of good and..... less than good dialogue. By the way, this is actually from a screenplay we recently reviewed.
The scene: A husband and wife are in the kitchen talking.
NOT SO GOOD:
John
Hello my dear wife. How was your day today? Did you do
anything interesting or different than what you normally do?
Mary:
No dear. It was just the same usual type of day
that I am experiencing every single day.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.........................................
MORE REALISTIC:
John
Damn, what a long day. I swear it's getting
worse and worse. (A beat) You?
Mary:
Same thing I do every day. Clean, wash,
cook, repeat. (A beat) I'm bored.
LET ME REPEAT: WRITE LIKE PEOPLE TALK!
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5 STEPS TO GREAT DIALOG
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