Characters need to speak to each other. Tom Chiarella shows you how. Whether it's an argument, a love scene, a powwow among sixth graders or scientists in a lab, this book demonstrates how to write dialogue that sounds authentic and original. You'll learn ways to find ideas for literary discussions by tuning in to what you hear every day. You'll learn to use gestures instead of speech, to insert silences that are as effective as outbursts, to add shifts in tone, and other strategies for making conversations more compelling. Nuts and bolts are covered, too Ñ formatting, punctuation, dialogue tags Ñ everything you need to get your characters talking.

Praise for Writing Dialogue

'A writing text that's a page-turner? That's what Tom Chiarella has written here. It's one of the best books about writing I've ever read, with a strong, entertaining voice that gives it the feel of a witty novel about writing. You'll write better dialogue after you've read it. Writing teachers would be crazy to ignore it.' — Brad Watson, Harvard University, author of Last Days of the Dog Men

'This book is so frank and funny that it's hard to call it a textbook. And yet every page is packed with great advice and essential information that is certain to improve any writer's ability to produce snappy, effective dialogue.' — Eileen FitzGerald, author of You're So Beautiful

'Tom Chiarella knows dialogue, as the many fans of his fiction can attest. This is not a book of dry textbook prose; it's a syncopated romp with a writer who knows the fun side of practicing what he so artfully manages to preach.' — Clint McCown, Beloit College, author of The Member-Guest

'Writing Dialogue demands that we hear the words on the page, that we shift and shake up tidy exchanges, that we leave the desk and see who's talking at the bus stop or go out to the local theatre and 'read a movie.' It reminds us that the world of words and voice and silences is ours for the listening.' — Audrey Petty, Knox College

'In this impressive monologue on dialogue, Tom Chiarella speaks dramatically to you. He eloquently elicits your impassioned responses to his lively prompts so that you find yourself, suddenly, deep in discussion with this book' — Michael Martone, University of Alabama, author of Seeing Eye

'Writing Dialogue is a wonderfully entertaining compendium of techniques for paying attention to language. By focusing on dialogue in particular, Chiarella has written a spirited guide to writing in general.' — Edward Falco, Virginia Tech, author of Acid

• ISBN: 1884910327
• ISBN-13: 9781884910326
• Author : Tom Chiarella
• Format:  Book - Search for other formats
• Publisher Imprint: Story Press
• Price ($AUD): $29.95


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