Part 1, Section 9, Dialogue Summary and Analysis

Dialogue is a writer's take on how a character speaks. It should be truthful and sound like something the character would really say out loud. There are three approaches Anne shares regarding dialogue.

First, one should say the words aloud. In this way, it can be rehearsed and refined. Anne suggests not doing this in a public place as people may not understand. As a writer navigates and experiences his or her own life, Anne suggests listening to real conversations. From these a writer can begin to understand natural speech patterns and how they may be translated onto the page. New material can always be gained from listening to real dialogue.

Second, each character should be able to be identified by their individual conversations. The intricacies and complexities formed from a character's motivations should be reflected in...