Is this for me? How to write captivating dialogues for cinema and stage

- Teaches how to reveal the character of the hero, the plot of the narrative, its subtext, and backstory through dialogue.
- Explains how to make the voices of the characters absolutely alive and unique using minimal lines.
- Using numerous examples... from cinema and theater, illustrates the difference between just a good dialogue and an outstanding one, whose lines quickly become famous quotes.
Vivid, lively dialogue of the characters is the foundation of a dramatic work, a powerful engine of the plot, and the best tool for revealing the author's intent. However, the art of creating dialogue holds many traps that often ensnare not only beginners but also experienced writers and playwrights.

Linda Seger and John Rayni's book will help you avoid these traps. You will get acquainted not only with valuable advice on how to give the characters those unique and irreplaceable lines but also with common mistakes in writing dialogues that will nullify all attempts to create characters that the audience will believe in. All tips are accompanied by illustrative examples from plays, adaptations, and films. The book will be of interest to authors working in any genre, regardless of skill level — both beginners and experienced professionals.

Quotes

"Good writers strive to make dialogue sound like an ordinary spontaneous conversation. However, no conversation in literary art is born spontaneously by the writer."

"The writer is akin to a juggler: on one hand, the understanding that each character is part of themselves, on the other — the necessity to make each character in your narrative distinct from all others."

"Ideal dialogue conveys a wealth of information about the character. Countless layers — psychology, background, education, life experience — can be revealed without any description, solely through dialogue."