Wordplay

9

When Arguments Are a Good Thing: Conflict in Dialogue

By K.M. Weiland | @KMWeiland

Today, I’m honored to be hosted on Romance University. Be sure to stop by the blog to read my guest post “When Arguments Are a Good Thing: Conflict in Dialogue.” Below is a sneak peek:

Most authors and their readers will agree that nothing beats a good bout of dialogue. Witty, poignant, romantic, angry—it’s all good. We all love it when characters open their big mouths and let fly. But creating good dialogue isn’t as easy as saying the first thing that pops to mind. Good dialogue is all about conflict. So how do we harness the conflict in our stories and make it power our dialogue in effective and compelling ways?

Story by K.M. Weiland

Tags: conflict , dialogue , Feature , SYN

9 comments

1. 
   Donna Yates March 31, 2012 at 9:29 AM

   So true. It is all in how you write the dialogue, and in keeping with your voice.

   
2. 
   K.M. Weiland March 31, 2012 at 9:34 AM

   And the characters' voices! :)

   
3. 
   Meryl April 2, 2012 at 6:24 PM

   That was a wonderful post! All very important things to have in mind :)
   
   It is great how some dialogue can reveal very much of a character, his goals and personality.
   
   Thanks!
   
   xoxo
   
   M.

   
4. 
   K.M. Weiland April 2, 2012 at 6:46 PM

   We give our characters voices, but the only way they can communicate is through their dialogue. We need to get it right!

   
5. 
   Meryl April 3, 2012 at 6:58 PM

   We certainly do! And as you very well said, keep them "in character".
   
   I found out that something really helpful for characterization is having friends of different ages. Even when people tell me "What? What´s a 26 years old woman doing hanging out with a 17 years old teenager?"
   
   I found out 50 years old woman can have the same love issues a twenty-some does and I know a 89 years old author who can still write... and drive!
   
   It´s really very productive.

   
6. 
   K.M. Weiland April 3, 2012 at 7:02 PM

   Great way to mix things up. Those sorts of "off-beat" relationships really allow you to explore some interesting themes as well.

   
7. 
   Meryl April 3, 2012 at 7:07 PM

   That´s true, things that won´t come up other way.

   
8. 
   Amanda Klimowicz April 6, 2012 at 6:45 AM

   I sometimes have my students approach dialogue by writing a tercet for each character... For example, if age were the platform, the character would say the line as a child, young adult, and elderly person. I also have them speak. If sentence fluency is lacking, the dialogue needs to go.

   
9. 
   K.M. Weiland April 6, 2012 at 3:53 PM

   Great exercise! That would also be an excellent way to chart character arc over a long period of time.