How do you write meaningful, naturally flowing dialogue?

[Alice]

I have trouble making my dialogue flow in a natural way because I always want every sentence to contribute to the story. How do you write compelling dialogue (that skips the boring pleasantries and meaningless conversation) while still having it sound natural?

[Irene]

When I have trouble I have a friend that I read phrases to (explaining a little backstory of the scene to her before hand) and she reacts to them. She doesn't always react the way my character would but it helps me get an idea of "realistic" word choice. I guess it's basically us acting out certain scenes, but without predetermined dialogue?

[Heather]

If you find out, let me know. ^_~

[Rachel Annie]

I understand some writers will read dialogue they've written back to themselves aloud. Hearing it as opposed to seeing it written down seems to help them find flaws and discover which bits seem unnatural.

[L.E.]

I find that it's important to choose your perspective - which character are we taking this conversation from? Then from that write like people would talk and let your authorial voice fill in the blanks.

Initially all my work is 90% dialogue, the characters have to uncover things via speech and if the dialogue doesn't flow then it has to be re-written - thereafter I tend to go through and fill in the blanks.

I start with something like:

"Where were you last night?"
"I was out."
"You're lying."

Then I fill it so the reader gets an idea of the meaning, background, etc.

"Where were you last night?" I didn't want to sound so bad tempered, but these disappearances had been happening over and over.
"I was out," he replied indignantly and I knew then I couldn't trust another word he said.
"You're lying...."

Does this make sense? I don't know if it's right but it's how I write.

[D.L.]

Similar to Rachel's suggestion, but I have my cpu read it back to me so that I can concentrate on the speak.

[Ron]

Rachel ~ SnapDragoness wrote: "I understand some writers will read dialogue they've written back to themselves aloud. Hearing it as opposed to seeing it written down seems to help them find flaws and discover which bits seem unn..."

That is how I do it.

It also helps me get the voice of the characters right. The dialog, as first written, is more or less an outline of what the character should say. If the character is a 15 year old girl I try to hear a 15 year old girl actually speaking as she more-or-less follows the outline.

[Roxanne]

Ali wrote: "I have trouble making my dialogue flow in a natural way because I always want every sentence to contribute to the story."

I have the exact same problem!

I usually have my sister read through my writing, and she tells me how to edit dialogue so that it sounds more natural. But I know that I really need to learn how to do it on my own... especially because I plan to go to get a degree in writing.

[Danielle]

Hmm, dialogue is a tricky one. Listen to how people speak in the real world and think how would you say that. Take this scenario two friends meeting

"That car is a horrible green."

Becks nodded

" Yes it is."

... Flat isn't it right the character need to do the talking show do not tell.

Now same scene:

" Wow! Besty have you seen that car over there?"

" Yes I have Cindy what a colour."

" Yeah I know puke green."

" ...Cindy that is my new car."


See is basically the same thing but it tells you more about the two friends. Right think about accents in dialogue and your character is he/she rude, pushy, patient, polite, embarrassing or Brash.

This is because all off the above effects the way the character speaks and whether the reader will connect.

Warning: To many flaw in a main character will put the reader off. Make him/her have a small problem.

[Roxanne]

Oh, I see!