writing dialoguewriting dialogue (and internal monologue)

Why write dialogueWhy write dialogue Information about a character’s background,

social status, and education.

What the character is thinking

Advance the plot

Build up dramatic tension

Example…Example…

She looked sadly off in the distance. “I realized nothing I do will ever be good enough. I just want my mom to love me - ” Kelly stopped, choking on the words.

Jane watched her friend, not knowing what to do or say. Finally, she hugged her friend tightly. “You don’t ever have to prove yourself to me.”

Kelly wiped a tear away. “I know…I’m just tired of trying…”

Formats to use:Formats to use:

Dashes (-) to show sudden break in thought or interruption

Ellipses (…) to show faltering speech or pause

Tab (new paragraph) when a new person is speaking

Double quotation marks vs. single quotation marks.

Now you try!Now you try!

Look at your photograph/mental snapshot. What sort of dialogue will you be having?

Internal MonologueInternal Monologue Writers use interior monologue to

get inside their characters (and in this case, that would be you and the people involved with your memory) to reveal THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS.

Interior Monologue FormatInterior Monologue Format

It is suggested that you use italics to highlight a character’s internal thoughts.

I wonder if she ever loved me, Brad thought to himself. There was a knot in his stomach as he walked up to the door.

You try!You try!

Look at your photograph/memory again. What thoughts were racing through your head as your were experiencing your memory?