PREVIEW - More than Just Talk: Painting a Scene with Dialogue and Narration

People don’t always say what they mean or mean what they say. That’s true in real life and in fiction. Dialogue is not only about what is being said, but also about what is left unsaid. That is the playing field of narration: it shows us how people interact nonverbally, exposing the subtext that may not be apparent if you only hear the spoken words. So, how do you strike a perfect balance between the two? This tutorial will not try to give you a ready-made formula for the right mix of narration and dialogue. Instead, we will explore the functions of dialogue and narration in a scene, so that you can find the mix that’s right for your novel.

In this tutorial you will explore how the interplay of dialogue and narration
1. Creates the atmosphere of a scene
2. Exposes the context and circumstance of the dialogue
3. Reveals the personality and relationship of the dialogue partners
4. Builds the underlying tension, conflict, or motivation
5. Drives the plot forward.

A writer’s job is to create a world that unfolds before the reader’s eyes. We want to hear people speak and see what they do and where they do it. With the well-tuned interplay of dialogue and narration, you can create scenes that sizzle with romance, suspense, excitement, or joy, engaging the reader in your characters’ plight.

You might also like Helga’s other online tutorials: Top Ten Errors Writers Make and Creating Compelling Characters in Six Simple Steps. Also, look for her future online tutorials coming later this year on Clichés Are a Writer’s Best Friend, and Capturing and Directing Your Readers' Imagination.

[vandini]

This was helpful but where can I get the remaining part of the video? Thanks for your help.