How to Write Compelling Dialogue: A Proven Process

Compelling dialogue that immerses your reader in your story is not easy to write.

The good news is that, like any other writing skill, the more you work at it, the better you should get.

With nearly 200 books under my belt, two-thirds of which are novels, I’ve learned the ins and outs of dialogue writing. And I want to help you avoid the errors I’ve made so you can write dialogue that captivates readers.

In this short video, I break down dialogue writing step by step.

I explore:

- 6 steps to writing dialogue like a pro
- How dialogue helps your novel flow
- How to format dialogue
- The cardinal sin of writing dialogue
- And much more

To help you tighten your dialogue even further, click the following link for the FREE Self-editing bonus guide I mention in the video.

🙌 For more exclusive content - become a Member today! / @novelistjerryjenkins

[SBSChristianMedia]

Feels like I met him in an alley with a suitcase of cash and hes whispering these secrets before the rain let's out

[AuthorWilliamMiller]

As a working author, take my advice. Watch this twice and take notes.

[jtdarelli]

Dude, you are a godsend. It's rare that someone with this kind of experience puts up this kind of content, for free, and a platform like Youtube. Usually, it's some sponsored website requiring a membership or monthly fee or something. Mr Jenkins, I want you to know that this stuff _is_ amazing and helpful and beyond appreciated. It is exactly what people like me have been looking for. Please, please, _please, _ keep uploading and sharing as much knowledge as possible.

[gary]

Eighteen minutes without an "Erm" or "Ah." Very professional!

[jonathanmcentire]

As an aspiring writer, dialogue is one of the most challenging things for me to write. Thank you for this.

[malafazzle]

People who sit down and make videos like this are genuinely creating the next great generation of authors. Thank you for sharing your insight on this topic.

[justanormalguy]

I’ve wasted tons of time in authortube videos, just to find all and more advice in this single one.Thank you Mr.Jenkins

[felicitypevideos]

I feel like my words from tomorrow will be leaps and bounds better than my words from yesterday because of this video.

[BlessedOne-jpcy]

6 keys to writing riveting dialogue 🙂
1.Cut writing to bones-Get to the good stuff
2.Use it to reveal backstory but don’t info dump (have the characters reveal a little bit at a time)
3.Use dialogue to reveal character (show not tell)
4. Be subtle
A) use subtext
B) use sidestepping
C) use Silence
5) Read your dialogue aloud
6) create ‘Make My Day’ moment

How to format
Use he said or she said -
don’t use creative way to say it don’t wheeze snort or grunt replied retorted declared are not needed

Don’t have characters use each other’s name
Too much

Don’t put said in the beginning of sentence

Resist urge to explain

Cardinal sin of dialogue-
Avoid on the nose dialogue
Don’t use prose that mirrors real life

[bullit]

“Dialogue tags such as, reply, exclaim, retort, remark are archaic and over done”

Hmmm interesting *proceeds to change out roughly 75% of all my dialogue tags

[katlamb]

Writing a dialogue is to a writer what drawing hands is to an artist: so easy to mess up. Thank you, Mr. Jenkins!

[liamihasz]

This guy teaches like he's got a gun to his head. I love it

[rodrigo]

The silence thing is soo true. I always find myself writing "he didn, t say anything", or "he didn, t respond." Maybe "he simply stared at her" is better?

[LaurArt_UK]

As well as info dumps at the beginning, I sometimes see villains infodumping at the end, as if someone in real life would reveal their whole plan to someone they're opposed to XD It's a stupid move and it ruins villains! Villains should be intelligent, and being cocky isn't smart.

[sophystigy]

Man this "show, not tell" is really everywhere and I LOVE IT

[snakeySnakeybakey]

Okay, I just now found this guy's channel and I'm already amazed. No lame gimmicks, no flashy nonsense. Just the guy sharing his expertise for free. As an aspiring writer, you have my gratitude Mr. Jenkins.

[shaillamaeb.revilla]

I'm an aspiring writer. It's my first time writing my own story and writing my characters' dialogue is my biggest problem !!!! Thank you so much !!!! 😭😭😭

[FalloutUrMum]

The best dialogue ever was any time Anakin is confessing his love to Padme. "I hate sand"

[melissareiter]

75 and just beginning. I don't expect much to come of it, but I enjoy watching the scenes roll out and shift as I imagine each moment. Enjoyable and difficult, much like life.

[BellaEssentialLiving]

I have my first book to rewrite...I"ve put it off for several years because I knew I made all these mistakes. Thank you so much!