Dazzling Dialogue—Part VI
Change it up. Do something different. Be true to the POV character and who they are interacting with. Sometimes, life hits us with the unexpected. Put that in your dialogue. At times, something comes out of left field. We’ve never thought of it that way before. Insert these techniques into your dialogue to make the characters’ conversations sizzle, sparkle, and shine. Dazzle your readers with blazing exchanges. Click to Tweet #DazzlingDialogue #amwriting
What are some practical ways to do this?
Unexpected Occurrence or Reaction
Your POV character goes for a job interview. They’re naturally nervous because they’re older and they’ve received no job offers in over a year. They’re hopeful for this one, because even though it’s way beneath their skill level, they can easily do the job. It won’t take too much energy from them, and they can continue doing other things they love to do.
Let’s ask some questions. What would this character do if: 1) they learned the boss was someone they used to have a crush on in high school or college; 2) they discovered there was a lot more to the job than originally advertised; 3) all the obstacles they thought came with the job were miraculously changed and done away with.
For example, in my novel, Meghan’s Choice, I have a scene between the two romantic leads that will end up together. Their first real conversation has them verbally sparring with innuendo and humor.
Meghan had to look.
The cowboy stood in the foyer.
“Please, call me Duncan. Hate formality when it applies to me.” He removed his hat.
“All right—I will—in the future. When I think we know each other well enough. I appreciate you helping Miss Gallagher, yesterday.” Olivia’s head turned. “Meghan, look who’s here! It’s that cowboy of yours.”
She stepped to the foyer. “My? … Mr. Wilcox, I hope you don’t think…”
He threw his head back and let out a hearty laugh.
Her chin jutted out. “What’s so funny?”
Mr. Wilcox’s grin remained. “Miss Gallagher, don’t think anything of the sort.”
His laughter was contagious. Her annoyance faded and a smile crept up.
“Well, good, because there’s nothing between us.”
“Would ya like there to be?” He asked as one corner of his mouth curled up higher than the other.
Meghan felt the blood rush to her flushed cheeks.
Especially in romance, you want your two protagonists to “duke it out” verbally, until they can both come to a romantic understanding. Even then, the characters’ tête-à-têtes can sparkle and dazzle. Use the unexpected, the different, and unusual to make your dialogue dazzle. Click to Tweet #amwriting #DazzlingDialogue
Donna L.H. Smith 