How to Write Great DialogueFor Authors and Editors
Confidently write your dialogue to feel right for your characters, fit well with your story and keep readers turning pages.
Buy on Amazon
Also available to order through your local bookshop.
Your Characters Have Something to Say
Great dialogue is attractive to editors, agents and readers alike – and clunky, unconvincing speech will be a reason for your story to be rejected or put down. Some writers struggle with this essential craft skill.
How to Write Great Dialogue changes that. Whether you are writing your first novel or have written many, this practical guide gives you a range of techniques, examples and exercises you need to write dialogue that you can be proud of.
“Dialogue is not just talking – it is much of the voice of your story. Every exchange should reveal character, create tension and push the story forward.”– from How to Write Great Dialogue
What You’ll Discover
Authentic Character Voice
Learn to give each character a distinct way of speaking so readers always know who is talking – even without dialogue tags.
Tension and Subtext
Discover how to layer meaning beneath the words – the things characters say, don’t say and desperately want to say.
Dialogue Mechanics
Master formatting, punctuation, dialogue tags and beats – the technical foundations that make your writing look and feel professional.
Weaving Dialogue and Narrative
Find the perfect balance between speech and action, and use dialogue to pace your scenes and deepen your world-building.
Common Pitfalls
Identify and fix the most frequent dialogue mistakes – from exposition dumps and on-the-nose exchanges to dodgy dialect.
Practical Exercises
Apply each technique immediately with targeted writing exercises designed to build real skill, fast.
Written for Every Kind of Writer
Aspiring novelists writing their first draft
Published authors wanting to strengthen their craft
Short story writers seeking punchy, natural exchanges
Creative writing students and workshop participants
Anyone who has been told their dialogue feels flat
Editors seeking a practical desk reference to recommend to clients
Praise for How to Write Great Dialogue
‘Through her experienced editorial eye, Jill French offers practical solutions for crafting unforgettable characters, stories, and settings through well-written, well-paced dialogue suitable for any genre or style guide. A fresh perspective on every stage of the writing process – whether you are drafting your first manuscript or refining later versions, you will find a wealth of useful suggestions to help your characters and narrative truly shine. A highly recommended read.’
‘An ideal support for novice writers and published authors alike. Brilliantly exposes all the little tricks and important steps an author needs.’
‘This book is structured very clearly to help writers understand the use and importance of dialogue for characterisation, storytelling, setting, and much more. It offers advice on all the questions we writers need to answer. It includes exercises and is written in a very helpful and readable way. An excellent comprehensive guide for writers, whatever their genre. I have learnt much about how to enrich my stories through good dialogue.’
‘A must for every editor’s desk. I shall certainly be recommending for authors to get themselves a copy!’
Jill French
Jill French is an editor with years of experience helping authors find their voice and develop and lift their stories to the best version of themselves. She brings a practical approach to the craft, drawing on real experience both as a passionately human writer and as someone who has helped coached, taught and worked with writers to improve their fiction.
This book sets out the most important lessons about dialogue in a clear, accessible guide to enhance and develop any writer’s dialogue craft.
Ready for Dialogue Confidence?
Pick up your copy today and start write more dialogue that editors, agents and readers will be delighted by.
Get it on AmazonPrefer to shop local? Ask for it at your local bookshop using ISBN 978-1918210019.