Some authors can use very little dialogue in their stories or novels while still holding the reader’s interest. It’s a unique talent. However, I venture to guess many more writers intertwine dialogue within their stories. It gives the reader a knowledge of the character. Their likes, dislikes, happiness, sorrows and so forth. The dynamics are endless.
After the three of us attended many classes on writing, we heard more than once the dialogue must move the story forward. Added sentences without that purpose can cause the reader to lose interest or take away from the dimensions of a character.
Writers gather their stories by observing others in a multitude of situations. Countless times, they might be in a mall, at a restaurant, or at an athletic event. The list goes on. Two or more people discussing a subject is often interesting and if you are close enough to hear, may be the ember that ignites the story’s dialogue. In Telling Tales and Sharing Secrets, our prose includes dialogue. In Diana’s first version of Things Taken on pg. 76, she uses the prompt to write two full pages in dialogue only. It’s worth reading just to see how this technique gives the reader important information and truly does move the story forward.
Yes. I believe the exercise with dialogue is an insightful way to help writers understand how it can illuminate a character, fictional or real. Thanks, Jackie