Make Dialogue Good Again bitches i am NOT asking
"how do you write good dialogue" here's an idea let's just start with the characters NOT simply saying the plot out loud to one another for 20% of their conversations
actually let me be sincere here. I am not an expert on writing dialogue, but I flatter myself to know the basics at least. Here's some practical ways to improve dialogue:
read old plays. I'm not kidding. Read a play written pre-2000. Old Irish plays are my personal favourite because the dialogue is usually high context and hilarious
don't let the characters EVER say the plot out loud to each other. Allow the characters to say as little as possible to convey the plot to the reader/viewer; let visual language and context inform the rest. Readers are SUPPOSED to interpret, they are supposed to use their brains, for the love of god, LET THEM
"varying character voice" is not just about their accent or their social class, which are the two aspects I most often see varied in modern work. It more importantly means "how much would this character say, and what words would they choose to say it." Motive should always inform what a character reveals and how they reveal it. The most important part of a character's voice is the subtext within that voice - that's where their true characterisation is really hiding.
I saw this on somebody else's tumblr post which I now cannot find, but it's honestly a sublime piece of dialogue advice: whatever a character is saying, force them to Say It Without Saying It. If a character wants to be handed a red ball, they can say anything except "Hand me that red ball" to achieve that end. This goes for confessing feelings, outlining plots and plans, arguments, etc etc etc. If a character ever DOES need to say something super directly it should be an impactful moment in your story, NOT the norm.
