How to Write Captivating Dialogue

FIRST, a  note from Ronda: Do you struggle with writing dialogue? Lots of authors do.

Bestselling author Jerry Jenkins offered me a resource to share with you from his blog. This share is done with  his blessing and,  as always, proper attribution. Thanks for letting me share your wisdom, Jerry!

EXCERPT from

How to Write Dialogue That Captivates Your Reader
Head shot of #1 Best Selling Author Jerry Jenkins

by Jerry Jenkins

If the dialogue you write bores you, it’ll put your reader to sleep.

And unfortunately, your first reader will be an agent or an editor. You can’t slip anything boring past them.

Your job is to make every word count. That’s the way to keep your reader riveted until the final page—no small task.

Making every word count is how to write compelling dialogue.

Readers love dialogue because:

It breaks up intimidating blocks of narrative summary.
It differentiates (through dialect and word choice) and reveals characters.
Done well, it can move the story without author intrusion.

But, as you have likely discovered, writing great dialogue is hard. If yours is bloated or obvious or telling or is in any other way uninteresting, readers won’t stay with you long.

So how about we leave them no choice?

If the dialogue you write bores you, it’ll put your reader to sleep.

And unfortunately, your first reader will be an agent or an editor. You can’t slip anything boring past them.

Your job is to make every word count. That’s the way to keep your reader riveted until the final page—no small task.

Making every word count is how to write compelling dialogue.

Readers love dialogue because:

It breaks up intimidating blocks of narrative summary.
It differentiates (through dialect and word choice) and reveals characters.
Done well, it can move the story without author intrusion.

But, as you have likely discovered, writing great dialogue is hard. If yours is bloated or obvious or telling or is in any other way uninteresting, readers won’t stay with you long.

So how about we leave them no choice?

Read the full article here.

Jerry Jenkins is the author of more than 190 books with sales of more than 70 million copies, including the bestselling Left Behind series

BACK TO RONDA. - Jerry is definitely someone worth heeding on any writing topic! He reached out because of an article I wrote. . Read it now. (opens in a new tab)

Cheers to your #BlissfulLife!

Ronda Del Boccio

#1 best selling author and speaker

Award winning author, photographer and artist

About Ronda Del Boccio

Ronda Del Boccio is an award-winning and best selling author of both fiction and nonfiction. She has been mostly blind since birth, but she never lets that stop her doing what she wants to do. She tells transformational tales and helps visionary authors turn their dreams and imaginings into published books. See and order Ronda's books on Amazon.

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