Description

Book Synopsis
Commissioning editors say good dialogue is one of the first things that make a book stand out from the crowd - and similarly, that clunky direct speech is one of the first things that will send a book straight from the slushpile to the rejections bin.

But while many other aspects of writing are pored over in intense detail, there have been very few books on the art of writing successful dialogue. In this practical guide for aspiring writers of all levels, Irving Weinman, himself a published writer and well-known creative writing tutor, uses case studies to help you explore how to write good dialogue, and gives you a range of fun and challenging exercises that will help you to write great dialogue.


Table of Contents
  • : 1 An Overview of Dialogue
  • :
    1 An Overview of Dialogue
  • : 2 Character in Dialogue I (dialogue in character)
  • : 2 Character in Dialogue I (dialogue in character)
  • : 3 Narrative in Dialogue
  • : 3 Narrative in Dialogue
  • : 4 Dialogue in Narrative (non 'scene' dialogue)
  • : 4 Dialogue in Narrative (non 'scene' dialogue)
  • : 5 Versions of Dialogue (monologue, thoughts, letters, diaries, voice messages)
  • : 5 Versions of Dialogue (monologue, thoughts, letters, diaries, voice messages)
  • : 6 Dialogue and Indirect Speech
  • : 6 Dialogue and Indirect Speech
  • : 7 Transitions in and out of Dialogue
  • : 7 Transitions in and out of Dialogue
  • : 8 Dialogue Imitations of Reality (crowds, multiple speech, interrupted speech, foreign languages)
  • : 8 Dialogue Imitations of Reality (crowds, multiple speech, interrupted speech, foreign languages)
  • : 9 Character in Dialogue II (using dialogue to learn about your characters: the art of not listening, getting them angry, letting their hair down)
  • : 9 Character in Dialogue II (using dialogue to learn about your characters: the art of not listening, getting them angry, letting their hair down)
  • : 10 The Far Reaches of Dialogue (experimental approaches, shifting dialogue between characters)
  • : 10 The Far Reaches of Dialogue (experimental approaches, shifting dialogue
  • : between characters)
  • : 11 Dialogue in Summary (some exercises, some suggested reading)
  • : 11 Dialogue in Summary (some exercises, some suggested reading)
  • : 11 Dialogue in Summary (some exercises, some suggested reading)

Write Great Dialogue

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Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 20 Jan 2026.

A Paperback / softback by Irving Weinman

1 in stock


    View other formats and editions of Write Great Dialogue by Irving Weinman

    Publisher: John Murray Press
    Publication Date: 23/01/2019
    ISBN13: 9781473688513, 978-1473688513
    ISBN10: 1473688515

    Description

    Book Synopsis
    Commissioning editors say good dialogue is one of the first things that make a book stand out from the crowd - and similarly, that clunky direct speech is one of the first things that will send a book straight from the slushpile to the rejections bin.

    But while many other aspects of writing are pored over in intense detail, there have been very few books on the art of writing successful dialogue. In this practical guide for aspiring writers of all levels, Irving Weinman, himself a published writer and well-known creative writing tutor, uses case studies to help you explore how to write good dialogue, and gives you a range of fun and challenging exercises that will help you to write great dialogue.


    Table of Contents
    • : 1 An Overview of Dialogue
    • :
      1 An Overview of Dialogue
    • : 2 Character in Dialogue I (dialogue in character)
    • : 2 Character in Dialogue I (dialogue in character)
    • : 3 Narrative in Dialogue
    • : 3 Narrative in Dialogue
    • : 4 Dialogue in Narrative (non 'scene' dialogue)
    • : 4 Dialogue in Narrative (non 'scene' dialogue)
    • : 5 Versions of Dialogue (monologue, thoughts, letters, diaries, voice messages)
    • : 5 Versions of Dialogue (monologue, thoughts, letters, diaries, voice messages)
    • : 6 Dialogue and Indirect Speech
    • : 6 Dialogue and Indirect Speech
    • : 7 Transitions in and out of Dialogue
    • : 7 Transitions in and out of Dialogue
    • : 8 Dialogue Imitations of Reality (crowds, multiple speech, interrupted speech, foreign languages)
    • : 8 Dialogue Imitations of Reality (crowds, multiple speech, interrupted speech, foreign languages)
    • : 9 Character in Dialogue II (using dialogue to learn about your characters: the art of not listening, getting them angry, letting their hair down)
    • : 9 Character in Dialogue II (using dialogue to learn about your characters: the art of not listening, getting them angry, letting their hair down)
    • : 10 The Far Reaches of Dialogue (experimental approaches, shifting dialogue between characters)
    • : 10 The Far Reaches of Dialogue (experimental approaches, shifting dialogue
    • : between characters)
    • : 11 Dialogue in Summary (some exercises, some suggested reading)
    • : 11 Dialogue in Summary (some exercises, some suggested reading)
    • : 11 Dialogue in Summary (some exercises, some suggested reading)

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