Dialogue Basics

There are simple ways of improving dialogue that will help any author but can be tailored to help the Fantasy author.

Gestures: Listen to people. Write down what people say. Watch as people speak, how they move or gesture to give emphasis to their words.

Examples: John half closed his eyes and cracked his knuckles as he spoke. Mary muttered as she wiped excess gloss from her lips and peered into the mirror.

Speech patterns: These vary from state to state, town to town, country to country. Listen for colloquialisms, (words or phrases used in local areas). They can help color the Fantasy novel.

Example: In one town we lived the fresh water shrimp, yabbies, were called crawchies. The past tense of the verb 'treat,' was 'tret,' rather than 'treated.' Listen for local words. When creating a Fantasy world, the words each character uses will give them location and belonging.

Verbal Tics: Listen to how different people will answer the same question. Listen to the different style of English used for documentaries as against sitcoms or different genre movies. Note how many verbal ticks people have, how they speak in incomplete sentences and how often they use another persons name when they speak to them. "And so forth . . .," "and that there . . . ", "you know . . .," "um . . . ."

Things To Do

Imagine a dialogue between two characters. Try writing it with and without simple modifiers. (he said she said) Then rewrite adding modifiers that are more descriptive. (he sighed, she laughed) Then try writing the same dialogue describing the character's actions as they speak. (He pulled his earlobe. She wrung her hands)
Write a scene where the narrator is telling the audience a story.

Example:
"If you have arrived late, my friends and need to learn how our story starts draw a seat, fill your flagon and let me outline what has gone before." For a few moments as her audience settles, the music floats in the air to fill the atmosphere with expectation.

Write a scene where the narrator is overhearing other characters talking without being a part of the conversation.

Example: "You go. I will mind him." She straightened the rug across my chest.
"No you go. I know how long you have waited for this night. You must not miss the festival." He turned away from her, trying to hide his disappointment. I feigned sleep rather than watch them.
"I will not stay away long . . ."

Write a scene where there are more than three speakers. Use modifiers and actions to keep track of the speaker. Try this exercise from different points of view.