Words shape reality.
This month, we journey into the art and purpose of dialogue in writing—how to make it real, how to capture voice, and how to use it as a powerful tool to reveal character and truth.
With insights from Plato, Mark Twain, and Oscar Wilde, we’ll explore how conversations—both internal and external—define great writing.
July 21-27 Focus: Voice Through Speech
"The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause." – Mark Twain
Understanding Voice in Dialogue:
Voice is your character’s soul in motion. It’s how they see the world, the words they choose, and the rhythms of their thoughts. No two people speak alike. Dialogue is the sharpest tool for showcasing that individuality.
What creates voice?
❖ Word choice (simple vs. elaborate)
❖ Syntax (short bursts vs. flowing sentences)
❖ Cultural and regional markers
❖ Humor, sarcasm, or solemnity
Techniques to Enhance Voice:
1. Free writing monologues: Let your characters speak in a stream-ofconsciousness way to discover their unique rhythm.
2. Limiting vocabulary: Assign each character a word bank that fits their background.
3. Journal entries: Write a journal page in your character’s voice. Their private voice can be different from their spoken one.
4. Accents and speech habits: Avoid stereotypes, but subtle hints of accent or phrase repetition can add texture.
Dialogue Tags and Pacing
Strong voice often reduces the need for fancy tags. “Said” is usually enough. Let the words carry the emotion.
Example:
“I never asked you to stay,” she said.
“You didn’t have to,” he said, barely above a whisper.
Simple, direct, and powerful. When the voice is strong, less is more.
Internal Monologue
Internal voice is just as revealing as spoken voice. If your character lies outwardly, let their internal thoughts reveal the truth—or their rationalizations.
Example: “I’m fine,” she said.
But her chest was tight, and the lie echoed in her throat.
Practice Prompt:
Write a 200-300 word internal monologue of someone about to confess a secret. Let the voice suggest their age, background, personality, and current emotional state without stating those facts directly.
P.S. If you’re looking to up your writing game and want to start writing faster, more clearly, and with greater depth I have a great writing program just for you! It’s called The Literary Alchemist Writing Program and it is a month long program that helps you become a better writer in just 15-minutes a day!
Thank you for listening and reading today and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
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