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[description] => Good dialogue is at the heart of great novels. That's because dialogue advances the action, defines characters and entertains the reader. Some people have an ‘ear’ for it – but the basic principles of good dialogue can be learnt. And that's what this short course is all about.
In this course, you will transform your understanding of the dialogue writing process and acquire new skills that will last you a lifetime.
SEE FULL COURSE OUTLINE
You will:
- master how to create dialogue that readers love
- discover ways to use dialogue in your pacing and structure
- understand the publishing trends that may affect the way you use dialogue in fiction
- learn the rules for writing dialect, accents, jargon and acronyms in dialogue
- understand the difference between good dialogue - and great dialogue
- get the skills to edit and polish your dialogue including the right way to lay out and punctuate it in fiction
- complete a comprehensive series of exercises to ensure that your dialogue is believable and authentic.
A great story can be weakened with stilted or ineffective dialogue. And yet you can master the art of writing great dialogue if you learn the right rules.
Compelling dialogue can say a lot about a character. You'll learn how to develop a ‘voice’ for each of your characters. You'll also be able to incorporate your dialogue to reinforce paralanguage, body language and setting.
The presentation and punctuation of dialogue is crucial in allowing readers to understand your story, and in convincing editors that you are offering a professional manuscript. You'll learn a variety of dialogue punctuation formats, including the preferred format for Australian, UK and US publishers.
Ultimately, you'll be equipped with the skills to edit and polish your dialogue. You need to know where you pare it back – and where you should add more. You'll learn how to do a ‘dialogue draft’ and have a clear framework on how to improve your dialogue writing.
“I was looking for some guidance around dialogue for my novel, which has a lot of dialogue scenes. I enjoyed the resources and being able to learn at my own pace.”
David McKenzie, Fiction Essentials: DIALOGUE graduate
SEE MORE REVIEWS
What’s included in your online course?
- 2.5 hours of content – access anytime at your own pace
- 4 audio lessons plus 4 supporting handouts
“I was surprised at how much I did not know about dialogue and how much better I could make my dialogue by learning the techniques in the course. Thanks!”
Eryn Jones, Fiction Essentials: DIALOGUE graduate
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Why should I do a course on writing dialogue?
A: Dialogue is a key part of most novels and stories – delivering information in an accessible and easily identifiable way. With the right dialogue, you can reveal more about a character’s personality or move the story forward. By learning how to master dialogue, you’ll have the skills to create more authentic characters and scenes.
Q: I've completed Creative Writing Stage 1. Will I learn anything new here?
A: Yes! In fact, this course has been designed for writers who already have a basic understanding of
core fiction techniques and want to hone their skills further. Advanced writers can also benefit from deep diving into this subject, as it's such a key player in successful novel writing.
Q: I'm a complete beginner. Will this course suit me?
A: We recommend absolute beginners start with
Creative Writing Stage 1. It covers the core skills and knowledge you need to become a great writer. This course will help you hone your story's dialogue once you have those foundation techniques under your belt.
Q: What about internal dialogue?
A: Yes, this course will cover both external and internal forms. Internal dialogue can be a useful device to reveal things, especially the truth of how a character is feeling and their hidden secrets, shame and hopes.
Q: Will this course make me a better eavesdropper?
A: Quite possibly, yes! Inspiration is all around you, and overheard, unscripted dialogue is about as authentic as you can get. So carry that notebook with you at all times!
Q: I’m hearing voices right now actually. What should I do?
A: If they’re telling you to buy this course, definitely listen to them.
Q: Do I need to log into this course at a set time?
A: No. As one of our self-paced courses, you have access to the online course material for a full year. There are no set classroom times or deadlines – simply learn at a pace that suits you.
Q: I quite like these “fiction essentials” masterclass courses. Are there more?
A: Yes – there’s a whole suite of them! You can see all of them here.
Ready to talk the talk? Master your dialogue writing techniques today!
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