Recording Your Dialogue

Having trouble getting your dialogue just right? One way to evaluate dialogue is to record it and play it back to yourself. (With the right software, you can even use your computer.)

Keep the written dialogue in front of you as you play back the recording. Mark any words or phrases that sound stilted or unnatural for editing. Make some suggestions to yourself of things that might sound more natural.

Some writing instructors would recommend waiting at least a week after the initial writing before beginning this process, to be sure you really have a fresh ear for the material.

Also, see articles on creating effective dialogue and punctuating dialogue correctly.