How to Write GREAT Dialogue

Dialogue is easier SAID than done. ;) Which is why in today's video, I'm sharing the 6 TECHNIQUES I use all the time to make my dialogue SHINE. ✨ No more cut-and-dry conversation! Let's learn how to masterfully write compelling dialogue that will capture and hold our readers' attention.
MY FILM/TV RECOMMENDATIONS: • The Kate & Abbie Show ...
7 TIPS FOR WRITING CHARACTER VOICE: • HOW TO ROCK YOUR CHARA...
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0:00 Introduction
1:18 An Important Note About Dialogue
3:55 #1: Listen to people talk in real life
4:54 #2: Listen to well-written dialogue in film
8:32 #3 Subtext
9:55 #4 Write your dialogue like a screenplay
13:20 #5 Give every character a unique voice
14:10 #6 Practice, practice, practice
15:32 Outro
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My name is Abbie Emmons I teach writers how to make their stories matter by harnessing the power and psychology of storytelling, transforming their ideas into a masterpiece, and creating a lifestyle that makes their author dreams come true.
Story isn’t about “what happens” - it’s about how what happens affects and transforms the characters. I believe that there is an exact science (a recipe, if you will) behind a perfect story. And if you know what ingredients you need, you can create your own perfect story with ease and confidence. That’s what we talk about every week on this channel - and if it’s something you’re into, be sure to subscribe and join this community!
✨C R E D I T S ✨
All movie clips and soundtracks used for educational purposes under the Fair Use law. Poldark (2015-2019) copyright Mammoth Screen Productions and BBC Masterpiece. Downton Abbey (2010) copyright BBC Masterpiece.

[@fatimamaequeniahan2388]

"We humans can't live without communicating to each other" *introverts left the group

[@TiaTam]

I'm an introvert and very talkative,, I just can't start/join conversations without feeling uninvited and uncomfortable lol

[@leannemcelroy8482]

TiaTam Same

[@LovelyKelly645]

@@TiaTam sameee!! And after a while I get tired and need time to recharge by myself

[@Vita-a-stelle-e-strisce]

@@leannemcelroy8482 Great Hollow Knight picture!

[@badcatzgamedevelopmentcomp4808]

as an introvert, I'll say that my survival instincts overcome my need for space. So sometimes even I bend the knee to being social.

[@aboycalledfish]

super interesting that the girl said "I don't know, Ross" in both examples, but they end up communicating completely different levels of character believability

[@worthfightingfor2299]

Yeah, exactly.

[@AsifHassan]

One thing I realized about a well-written argument between two characters, is subtlety. One of them lied to the other but instead of yelling and shouting about it what actually goes on is a passive aggressive discussion. They may talk about betrayal and hurt but they never bring up the lying part because it hurts them too much.

[@oliverford5367]

The rule of thumb I've noticed is to see if the dialogue has any nouns for particular emotions. If it does, that's a smell that the dialogue is on-the-nose. So the first Poldark scene has "anger, jealousy". The second describes actions: sleeping with somebody else and needing to be forgiven. The words anger and jealousy are never used. Occasionally you need to have a character mention emotions directly, but most of the time it should be communicated without being directly named.

[@maryquitecontrary9669]

Yes! Subtlety and subtext is everything

[@yo-im-soup1317]

That mood when you're actually writing a screenplay so you HAVE to write it like one

[@TiaTam]

Same :) Makes the entire thing one small step easier though Ig

[@SheegogProductions]

My current writing project is a screenplay. Now the hard part is turning it into prose. :P

[@newtoatheism5968]

Oh yes I know that mood

[@duinforodamar8792]

I write it in a different format than a movie script if that's what I'm doing.

[@Z5Z5Z5]

im also writing a screenplay. Dialogue is so hard

[@TiaTam]

I often make up my dialogue by talking to myself because then I can _hear_ when it sounds off It always helps me a lot. Whispering as well, if I can't be too loud around other people

[@adahig7566]

that’s actually rlly smart

[@blindwolfieyt]

I do that too!

[@taliw7736]

Good idea haha

[@bygoneamelia]

Haha, I do that. Like I 'act' out the conversations as I am writing them. The only downside, is that my family thinks I'm crazy.

[@ayeongu_7384]

i do something similar. mainly for fanfiction when i'm bored af but it also helps me with making it sound natural because my thing is i think about the premise of the scene and go from there. i find it difficult to explain but i find it fun and helpful :>

[@arshanijah8338]

currently trying to write a wattpad book, but i keep using “she said” or “he says” for everything lol

[@AbbieEmmons]

Good luck with your story!

[@mackdebruin999]

A good way to avoid he said/she said is to say a character is doing something, after that the dialogue is implied to be from that character, no he said/she said required. John grabbed the chair. "I love chairs." Instead of "I love chairs." John said.

[@arshanijah8338]

Mack Debruin that’s amazing, thank you, i’ll be using this!

[@Mint-cn1yg]

Arsha Nijah how’s it going so far? What’s your Wattpad user?

[@gracefuldeals]

I would love to check out your book too! Please let us know your Wattpad username. :)

[@heathermacdonald6404]

I also write random dialogue when developing characters. Usually, when I am developing a character, I transcribe the speech of someone on KZbin. For example, when I wanted to write realistic dialogue for a 16 year-old girl, I listened to many different teenage girls on KZbin and transcribed their speech. Wow! It was an eye-opener. I could not have written realistic dialogue for my teenager without seeing real speech in print. Very useful exercise. I would join your Patreon but I am not on Facebook. Thanks for all the great videos.

[@authordeborahjeanwhite6188]

Heather MacDonald amazing idea! I’m going to try it!

[@guixluv]

That's actually a very great tip. Thank you!!! 💕💓💞

[@francescagolden1061]

Ooh awesome tactic! I’ll be doing that.

[@sey9034]

Commenting to save, good tip!

[@vh6772]

That....that is a brilliant idea...

[@katiewilson9317]

It is SO ODD how you think of a scene and the characters just start talking! I do, I pause them so I can get my notes app on my phone or a pen and paper to write it down...usually late at night when I should be sleeping. :) So happy when something I think is described by someone else out loud. Thank you for this video!! New sub here!

[@oddduckdeena]

I’m working on my first book. I had no intention or drive to ever become an author, but I had a character in my mind that I wanted to spend more time with. The story flows okay, I’m sure it is derivative and predictable, but I am passionate enough to continue writing it. The dialogue is where I fall flat. Thank you for the tips. You have a sub in me.

[@jefftitterington7600]

How's it doing? Are you happier with it?

[@serene3175]

I hope that it’s going well :)

[@eric-ms3pz]

fr interested and kinda wanna read it lol

[@TheJadeCircle]

Was I supposed to read "You have a sub in me" as "You've got a friend in me"?

[@EDDIELANE]

Disconnecting from your characters voice was what happened to the last season of Game of Thrones. Tyrion is the most heartbreaking.

[@futurestoryteller]

What's funny is Game of Thrones' dialogue lacked subtext. Martin was really good at characters communicating exactly what they were thinking, just in clever ways. I felt like part of the problem with the dialogue in the last two seasons was that without Martin's input they started taking the more "sophisticated" television dialogue approach of the characters never saying exactly the right thing. Varys and Tyrion in particular _always_ said exactly the right thing. An example might be when Varys tells Tyrion that "a very small man can cast a very large shadow."

[@rahraht3242]

Yes, I've also experienced that. Sometimes when I'm thinking about a scene, dialogue starts coming in and I write it down. It's pretty cool the feeling of characters just starting to have bits of conversation in your head lol

[@elite_piggyzillaxx174]

Yeah, I thought I was the only one who did that lol.

[@vigorofavirgo3916]

Yeah it just flows

[@rokamayono8590]

It feels really smooth and really helps

[@wendychavez5348]

Often I will build a scene or a story around an internal dialogue, especially if I'm debating two or more sides with myself and see good points from every perspective. It's not always easy to make talking to myself seem like a conversation between two or more individuals, though when it works it's amazing.

[@miraculouswinxer8837]

I do that tooo , i always roleplay as my characters to understand their point of view and i always talk to myself and debate about things.

[@mayaj8855]

Notes for me: Subtext subtext subtext! Always leave a hint of what the characters are thinking and feeling up to the imaginations of the readers, this will turn your characters into living breathing beings with thoughts, secrets, and experiences. Practice scripting dialogue from everyday conversations and well-written shows and movies. Add in ques and body language to practice bringing the dialogue to life. Write dialogue like a screenplay. this way you're less focused on description and grammar and more focused on the conversation. THAT'S IT!! Pro tip: try writing scenes of just dialogue before actually beginning the 1st draft of the book to kickstart your writing process. Give every character a unique character voice. YOU DO NOT WANT ALL YOUR CHARACTERS TO SOUND THE SAME!!! ex. in Heros of Olympus, you knew every single time it was a Percy, Leo, or Annabeth chapter solely from the character's voice. or Zara and Sophia Greenleaf with very two distinct character voices PRACTICE!!!

[@cheaBea231]

Yes, I definitely get dialogue for random scenes in my story and have to write it down immediately! Sometimes it is even how a whole new story begins in my head.

[@christinekaye6393]

Yes, I write all the dialog as a script first. As a matter of fact, I developed my novel that way, role-playing the characters as I created the plot. I started recording these sessions because I found the spontaneous responses were the most natural and I couldn't always remember them later. This method also helps me get in touch with the emotional content of the scene.

[@lindseysmith2455]

Dialogue always comes to me first! I build every scene around a conversation I've imagined. And for some reason, it's always while I'm listening to music and doing something mindless (like walking or driving) that these conversations appear.

[@Mii..]

Same here. When I'm driving or listening to music that's when the best scenes and dialogue show up in my head. And it's worse when you forget that because you didn't write them down.

[@yuki_sushi3480]

The music im listening to influences how I write- so I have to have a perfect playlist for each time I write something specific 😭✌️🤧✨

[@saraoln]

I never personally thought of writing dialogue first and then adding in narrations, but I do have my moments where some of my characters just start talking out of nowhere and then I have to rush to my notes before I forget the exact sentence he or she said 😂.

[@armellebiampamba4257]

I do that too! Execpt I forget half the time and then try desperately to remember

[@saraoln]

@@armellebiampamba4257 Sadly, yes. That happens to me, too 😳😭.

[@Mii..]

Sameee thing I do

[@saraoln]

@@Mii.. When our characters are meant to be working with us but sometimes they just decide, "Let's just keep making conversation and have a little fun with our writer by not stopping 😌."

[@Mii..]

@@saraoln exactly lol. But it's fun to see your mind expressing natural conversations with your characters. It brings out their personality. ❤

[@zordox5533]

I always struggle with dialogue being too awkward or boring and stiff, so this really helped me fix some of my mistakes. Thank you!!! 🥰😊😇

[@viniciusgalindo3302]

I always write the dialogue before-hand, it's easier for me to go into the chapters and write at a faster pace.

[@topik801]

I write dialogues like you do! Sometimes even whole scenes, completely out of order :) First I write down only characters' lines, then I add the context, the action tags, and so on. Can't wait for the next video!

[@unsweetsweets]

13:02 I don’t really write it down like it’s a screenplay, but I always come up with my dialogue by thinking about the scenes and then playing out the characters, then I just make the dialogue what I think in the moment. I usually just do it because it’s fun, but it really helps to make it more natural since most conversations are usually what the character is thinking in that moment and less planned out. So maybe not exactly the same, but similar ?

[@chantlmcclary6419]

I do something similar but I use the bullet system which is getting a notebook and writing out the story in bullets the best way I can describe it is writing the story like an RPG video game and writing down dialogue options,with a tree in a separate notebook which helps me choose what they'll say better before I actually write it in that notebook.

[@heathertoomey7068]

I, too, have conversations continue on in my head that have to be written so I don't forget, once I've started. And I'm so glad to know that it IS fine to write dialogue first, like a screenplay, without the words like "said" and body language, etc. Still have work to do on that.

[@emxry]

I use dialogue if I want to show the character’s personality and if I need to put a fact out there to make the story work.

[@Animaine7030]

I can attest to the validity of Rule # 4. It's literally saved my writing.

[@ericcarlo5278]

Starting on my first short story and as I'm going through the process, I think really understanding your characters relationships with one another and their purpose in the story also helps a bit when coming up with dialogue

[@christophermyron978]

You've inspired me to not beat myself up over my cringeworthy dialogue from my 10 year old manuscript. Using your tools helped! I feel one step closer to publication possibilities.

[@kalyani-hg2mz]

Omgg, I am 15 and writing is my passion,something that I enjoy a lot and I have immensely struggled with dialogues,so thank you so much for making this video,I know I am late but still thank youuu❤❤

[@Weird-Girl]

I ALWAYS write bits of dialogue that come to me at random intervals 😂 it’s always so helpful to have it when I go to write the specific scene it’s in.

[@SoundBoss5150]

Would love to hear you touch more on instances when direct dialogue is appropriate. I've heard that it's okay to be on-the-nose when what's being said is properly motivated by the characters wants/needs but I for one still struggle to identify how to do that, especially early on in the story. Keep up the great work!!

[@AlexVeeGee]

Omg! I do number 4 too! Always have, its part of my process! I've not heard of anyone else doing this (until now). I've often given this tip to my writerly friends, and I think they think I'm crazy, lol. 😂

[@redstorm4032]

I’ve just been struggling with my dialogue today! This will be so helpful ahh!

[@heyfell4301]

Man, I feel called out when you mention that looking at old projects makes people cringe at their dialogue. I can find some fun re-reading some old stupid descriptions I made, but as soon as it comes to the dialogue, I have to pause and just say "this is the least natural line I've ever read" all the time. Going back through old projects is one thing I like to do to get inspired, since I made most of them when I was still super young, meaning I was creative enough to have good ideas but incompetent enough to make things laughable, this way I feel proud for not being so bad at writing nowadays, and I get back my old ideas to implement in new projects, all of that while having fun laughing at myself.

[@timflatus]

"Why? Nobody else does." - genius. I started my current novel using script tags. Script writing generally is a really great discipline as it really forces you to show not tell.

[@shinmalestat9272]

Alot of my character development comes from the day dreaming dialogue between them. Some of them Ive turned into short stories that will probably become scenes later on. If not then those will be unknown canons. Another channel that can help with developing dialogue is Charisma on Command. He will break down characters in shows or even the way people handle stressful interviews to show body language, what it displays and how to use it.

[@StopMotionPerson20]

When I have to write a dialog I first kinda "roleplay" the entire scene in real life and then write it down. It actually helps so much! Ps. Im SUPER nervous 'bout my book as a 13 yr old author and your videos show me that my book is actually good

[@fabianaramos2472]

Good luck!!

[@wnder7974]

Name of your book/

[@gerritvalkering1068]

One of the things that got hammered home working in the service industry was 'body language, non-verbal communication'. Body language and intonation is easily 75% of communication. It's why jokes and sarcasm works so badly online. So I generally imagine the body language, how character say things, pauses etc before I start on the words.

[@LarryThePhotoGuy]

I usually begin with the general dynamic of a scene (What needs to happen) and how the most volatile character reacts. That is, I hear a line of dialogue that is key to the feeling intentions(s) of that character and then lead the rest of the dialogue to that expression. I.e., "You will never fool me again!"

[@kathleenmoniquemabao2072]

Regarding about writing the dialogues in script style, when I first started writing stories back in high school, most of my writings are in script style. Then I was told by my writer classmates (who had way more writing experience than me) that I should write in narrative style. No wonder there are times that I'd have a hard time making realistic dialogues for my characters and not just gibberish. Thanks for the tips, Abbie. It'll be nice to go back to how I first started writing stories ☺

[@KashishK]

Tip number 4 is my favorite now too! For my new book, I have been focusing on new aspects and areas where I can improve and I have been watching your videos as well as podcasts, and they help soo much! I have learned many things over the past 2 weeks and I'm so thankful for it. I tried the method of taking away all narrations within my dialogue and read it, and yes. It sounded very weird. So then, I edited it, and now it sounds so much better. I'm going to use this trick much more often now! Thank you Abbie!

[@randommeowthekitty6482]

I randomly get scenes playing out in my head too. Except it's usually in the most inconvenient of times, like when I'm in the shower, or in the middle of the night. I also do it on purpose sometimes.

[@fantasycreature123]

"I need a day between Saturday and Sunday" "If you're from the future" Great writing advice aside, Abby is really hilarious too at times! 😂 As usual, very interesting video, those tips sound really helpful. Especially the screenplay-style dialogue one! I'll be sure to try it out in my next story.

[@advaithramesh6697]

Writing all the dialouge before the description and narration actually made the scenes way more crisp when i finished writing them.

[@dizzy0110]

I write my dialogue like that too! I’ll be doing something mundane, like doing dishes, and all of the sudden I hear my characters’ arguments or confessions or what ever and I have to rush through my chore so I get get to my phone and make a quick note of it. Haha happens all the time

[@rokamayono8590]

Since I already write up random stories or prompts I don't actually do anything with, I figured out an idea where I write up random scenarios, and then work out how the characters will act in them, and that will hopefully help me get a feel for how their personalities work, regardless of whether or not I actually include those scenarios.

[@lhyn_was_mah_name2113]

Yes, I get scenes in my mind before I write it, Im glad Im not the only one.

[@kjonesnewyork1]

One of the best movies for dialogue in my opinion is the movie Goodfellas. It’s not just that it has the New York cadence and accent that brings intrigue but the exchange between characters is clever in what they say and don’t say but imply. Several examples here too much to write now. Just a favorite of mine because of the exceptional dialogue

[@madhatyr]

I love the dialogue in the film “lucky number sleven”

[@ravenfeatherdust]

I write it down like a screenplay all the time whenever I get a dialogue idea!!!

[@darshimehrotra3002]

Every piece of dialogue gives your readers information etc. Observe people talk. Subtext Screen Writing Unique Voice

[@johnmichael_]

Oh hey, i put my dialogue in screenplay display too! Ive always struggled with trying to incorporate my dialogue in correctlywritten sentences, so yeah this helps me lol great video!!

[@toom_56]

Thank you sooo much, I’m really trying to get into writing my book and you are such a big help!!!!

[@mimib___6709]

I wrote dialogue for the first story I'm planning to publish into an e-book first before the full story was even fledged. It definitely helps and inspires me even more to craft my characters and the story around it, and not just stop like I've done with so any others. It keeps me going so to speak. This was so helpful!

[@Aponea3]

I have always written my stories as if they were films/screenplays, and I dare to claim that writing dialogue is my biggest strength. You expressed exactly what I feel about this topic, thank you for the reassurance! :)

[@sofiepeeters8565]

I do that! And I must say it’s very helpful to see your characters moving through a certain scene like it’s a movie.

[@sarahalbert6833]

I am approaching the end of the first draft of my very first novel. Before I began writing, many conversations between the characters played out in my head. So, I wrote those first before beginning the draft. It’s strange because I wasn’t able to start at the beginning and write in chronological order. I am a discovery writer, so I tend to start with the scenes which excite me the most. I tend to jump backwards and forwards in the writing process naturally, because the story plays in my mind like a film and it’s never in order of events. It’s as though the dialogue and scenes come out of nowhere, like the story has a mind of its own and I’m just the person observing it. Writing this way helps with writers block and keeps me motivated. I really enjoy your channel and absolutely love your writing advice videos, so thank you.

[@dubclu6]

I write as though it’s a movie in my head. And I think about how I don’t want to waste peoples’ time with boring stuff or conversation that has no purpose. It needs to be interesting to some degree all the way through and play like a movie in my head. I should be able to see how it would look as a film.

[@ailsa2434]

Can't wait for the follow up video to this! I also am finding that script writing dialogue comes very naturally, and is super helpful. I think the reason is because it helps make writing seem less like writing, and more like working on a painting. You start with the basic strokes (the dialogue itself) and slowly build it up, adding in a gesture here, a background detail there, bringing the conversation to life. That's all in note form, without worrying about the prose. I'm certainly not claiming to be on top of my game yet. I'm only starting out. But for some reason, doing it this way makes it WAY more natural, like a craft. It makes me feel better to know you do this as well!

[@rukkayyagaro2238]

I have been looking forward to this all day!

[@rekharajgopal7044]

Aren't you a gem, Abbie! You have a technique for everything. Method to the writing madness always

[@selacastleberry8977]

I am a brand new writer, trying my hand on a screenplay. Basically, all of my writing thus far is just dialogue. I just have dialogue pop into my head and write it in the screenplay format. Your videos are incredibly helpful! Thank you for all of your research.

[@eowyn237]

Abbie, you never cease to deliver exactly the answers and inspiration I need! I haven't written in screenplay format before, but I'm definitely going to try it this very evening. Also, I haven't seen Poldark, but that second scene -! Manalive, it gave me all the chills. :)

[@josieann4390]

Hey Abbie! I also write my novels in screenplay format beforehand to master dialogue, but I thought it was because I majored in screenwriting in college. Glad to know other writers use this process as well! 😊

[@jencarter2174]

I write dialogue before the scene ALL the time. That's usually when I know a scene is good, and necessary (even if I don't know why yet).

[@DJ-Dreaming]

I must admit, when you speak about 'dialogue coming naturally' as you play the scene in your mind is powerful. It's an emergency skill, the more you learn to "Movie Fi" it becomes a tool to script as much dialogue outside your draft as needed. Take it apart and weave it into your book. Good to meet you, Abbie.

[@gaintmoleperson4660]

You legitimately the only person who doesnt give obvious advice and makes it short

[@naritasupremacy8081]

I'VE BEEN WAITING WEEKS FOR THIS!!! THANK YOU!!! Rock on!

[@gianni206]

1. Listens to others talk 2. Listen to film's best dialogue 3. Bake in subtext - like, hold back emotions when characters be frontin' 4. Write it like a screenplay (even before all else) - copy over later! 5. Give character unique voices - what style does each have 6. Practicepracticepracticepracticepractice

[@usalscorner]

So some of what you said finally explains why I've always been told that I'm great at dialog even when I started writing in middle school. I'm autistic, so I have to pay more attention to all those little details when talking or listening. It's the bits between the dialog that can be a challenge sometimes...

[@calliesdandelions]

I have been doing the dialogue script-writing for a while now, and I love it!

[@cottagestoryteller]

Omgosh I needed this video. I didnt realize it until I heard you say it out loud, and that is that dialogue is best with subtext. 🤷‍♀️ No one says what they feel or mean outright. Killer video as always! Thank you, Abbie!! 💖

[@obsessedwithart231]

I love that you said a story is a story! So many authors make it seem like movies are a bad thing and in order to be an author you need to read all these long complicated historical classics and if you don’t you have bad taste, and whatever your writing doesn’t count. But you saying a story is a story really takes the pressure of me and so many other viewers. I ADORE your videos.

[@charizardchaser]

Getting into acting, writing scripts for short film help me tremendously. I act out my dialog before I write it. Realistically, majority of people speak no more or less than a sentence. If it's a paragraph, it's a monologue. As a writer I highly suggest get into acting and helped me a lot.

[@strawberri2425]

Yes! Whenever there's that one line that doesn't sound real, I get all uncomfortable inside. And whenever I watch a trope-y movie, I literally have a fit.

[@lilypond5158]

When you started talking about Poldark.... I love that show so much, even my dad loves it.

[@jenller]

I also write the dialogue as a script, I use different colors to identify the characters. It's really helpful to keep you on a roll without any interruptions of thinking about tags.

[@justalittlefun5885]

I do have the habbit of imagining a whole big scene full of conversation which later becomes a scene, I don't actually write it down until recently, I realised how much easier and realistic it sounds when you later put it down on the story.

[@BelleRose11000]

I feel a lot more confident now as you describe using the screenplay writing method for dialogue because I do that too! Dialogue has been one of the most difficult parts for me to write partly because I'm autistic and struggle with real life conversations. A few years ago, I found it helps to write my dialogue as a screenplay. It helped a ton. Avoids the "he/she said" and helped with outlining the story. Then I stopped writing for a few years, big mistake. I am now getting back to writing, though it's not easy getting back. Once again I have been struggling with dialogue. But now seeing this, you've reminded me of what I did to overcome that struggle. It helps to know other writers use that trick. I won't forget it, in fact I'll start screenplay writing some dialogue scenes that have been brewing in my mind. Thank you Abbie!

[@onlyspoofz203]

I lit up when you said write the dialogue first because I’ve been doing that FOR YEARS, going back to my screenwriting days. Lol

[@futurestoryteller]

I'm increasingly impressed with you and your channel. I recently saw a screenwriting "guru" talking about writing realistically and he said to just practice, he didn't even tell people to listen, the way you said _everyone_ does. You not only cover all your bases, but you also remember every caveat and nuance that are important to bear in mind. Maybe you can help me with talking heads then. I definitely do get scenes or random bits of dialogue invading my brain, and I like these human interactions the most. This makes it difficult for me to build past the conversations themselves. I watched your video about how pacing can only flow at reading speed, and I've always felt that instinctively so when two characters are trading words it can be hard for me to interject information that will make readers feel rooted in the environment, especially if I'm writing prose.

[@readerturnedwriter]

This was SO helpful, thanks for these tips! I loved when you talked about subtext, I agree it's so important (though not necessarily easy). I also love the idea to write some dialogue before writing your video. I remember watching a video about adding tension to dialogue, one tip was to have each of the two characters having a different conversation from each other in subtext.

[@ognonamisvamp]

I plan out most of my dialogue ahead of time. You are definitely not the only one.

[@KaylianaVerderaime]

Finally, something naturally occurring in my approach to writing! I've always turned to writing dialogue like a screenplay, seemed the easiest and best approach to writing. Thanks for pointing this out, Abbie!

[@BellaDuPaul]

YES I can totally relate to that! There have been so many times where I’ll think about something in or for a plot in my book and suddenly a conversation in between two of my characters will pop into my head! I wondered the same thing; if other people did this. Glad to know I’m not the only one with this lol

[@ZoesWeirdThoughts]

I write some of the dialogue beforehand too. Sometimes a great idea for a joke or a scene will just pop into my head and I have to write it down before I forget it.

[@mikemckeel4174]

I read once that Tolstoy was visiting a friend and saw War and Peace on a table. He picked it up, flipped through it, and said "I wish I knew then what I've learned since then." Something for all of us to keep in mind.

[@morlanius]

@13:08 yes, I do this often. On plot point or key scenes I will also mentally act it out like a stage play or a film.

[@alondradiaz8266]

This is my favorite video in any series. Brilliant!! And I have never thought of dialogue in that way! 😂✨🌸

[@jamescreighton4912]

I admit, I was so happy when you mentioned thinking of dialogue like you are writing a script. I am writing something now with that very lesson in mind. I try to cut out the descriptions and extra bits as much as possible (unless it effects the dialogue itself) and just let the characters talk. It feels much better and it allows the characters to shine more than the author. (Sounds weird but its true).

[@ellishakriesl9599]

Absolutely love the idea of writing your dialogue first! I've always struggled a bit to get into the groove of writing conversations. Going to go give this technique a try!

[@sumadey4993]

Seriously, you really do know what I need at the right time!! Can't wait for the pitfall in dialogues video..!!!☺☺☺

[@cosmosbandit4807]

Your explanation of subtext finally made it click for me on how not to "write" it but "create" it. You have really helped me in writing episode 5 on my channel. Thank you! Subscribed and belled!

[@lauracations4613]

Oh my gosh! I have been writing in screenplay format and thought that it was a bad thing! Thank you for showing me that this is a GOOD thing! Excited to keep writing now 😁

[@kevinnewcomb8020]

Thank you so much! I love your tips and they have really helped me. I mostly am trying to write for my own video games, but it is just as useful 😁

[@fayz-dayz]

Yes! When Im at work or a busy area and I’m hit with an idea. I jot the dialogue down script style. It’s quick and effective

[@emxry]

Your videos are the best! They’ve helped me so much with my writing!

[@penntopaper9305]

this is probably not the usual thing that floats your boat, but theres a youtube animated series called ONE and it has HANDS DOWN the most realistic sounding dialogue ive ever seen in a show

[@BurtKocain]

13:54 The way you hold your pen... that's quite something.

[@BonBonHassan]

I watch so many Korean dramas and that has also helped me in my writing because the characters are so rich and even the subplots are intriguing.

[@brenbail2000]

Yes. I absolutely pre-script dialogue, just to make sure I have all I need in the conversation. Especially for pivotal moments in the story, it's a must!

[@jamesagyin2712]

I actually do write my dialogue screenplay style. I also thought it was weird and amateur. It's feels good to know that that is actually a great way to write good dialogue.

[@user-gf2rz6or3e]

The two examples were so helpful! Thank you so much, Abbie! :)