Dialogue is King

 Last week at RWASD we were entertained by Jane Porter, New York Times & USA Today best selling author. She is also the founder and editorial director of Tule Productions.

I could see form the way she approached the subject of dialogue that anyone who took to heart and pen what she said would become a more popular author.

Here's some highlights that I found valuable:

Since she reads a ton of manuscripts she appreciates dialogue more. It carries the story. She recommends the majority of the writing should be dialogue. I believe she said 70%!!

Dialogue should progress the plot

Reveal character

Contain emotional context

Entertain

Tidbits: men communicate authority, women communicate to connect. Relate real, not stereotypical dialogue. Women use much more words than men. {I say men internalize rather than speaking out.}. Set deadlines in the story. Never forget the conflict in every scene. Make speeches brief. Pay attention to pacing (fast is good). Don't forget interruptions, it's reality.

Establish the reason the protagonist takes the journey. It is better if it is based in social concerns rather than pure ego (specifically selfishness). {I think ego is good if it is part of an arc toward redemption.}

I have already improved my WIP because of her.