How to Write Professional Dialogue

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Dialogue is a fundamental element of storytelling. Professional, believable dialogue can make the difference between a compelling film, television show, or novel and one that falls flat. But what makes dialogue truly professional?

In 1944, novelist Ayn Rand addressed this very question in correspondence with renowned investor Gerald Loeb. After reviewing drafts of Loeb's short story, Rand offered her perspective on crafting effective dialogue:

“the problem of a dialogue writer is a subtle one: he must make his dialogue sound as if this is the way people really talk—and yet write it with a brevity, clarity and economy of words never achieved by anybody in real-life talk. He must never allow an extra line which has no specific purpose. He must have every line carry either exposition or characterization—and usually both. But he cannot allow his characters to talk so precisely that they will sound stilted. The trick is to select out of people’s normal expressions those lines that are representative, that can give you—in one flash—the whole idea of the person or subject discussed, while sounding completely natural. It is a very difficult trick—and I was surprised to see how well you’ve done it.

“I can clarify this best on the example of your own dialogue. Take your first line. When Tom enters, Olivia says: “Well, I never.” That is all—and it’s perfect for its purpose. It shows surprise, and rudeness, and a woman who talks in bromides. In real life, she would have said that and a great deal more. But you omitted the “more”; that line was enough, it said everything, yet was natural. You could have selected another popular bromide—but most of them would have been meaningless—you picked the one that was characteristic. This is true of all your dialogue in the scene. All of it is the natural expression of a person and suggests a lot beyond the actual words used. “Come over now and sit on the bed and watch me dress but be a good boy”—is a swell line. It gives you the complete picture of a sloppy little tart without taste or manners.” (1)

Insightful advice about writing dialogue.

Actionable Creative Takeaway

How can writers apply Rand’s insight? Here are three suggestions:

1) Look for representative and suggestive expressions in the dialog of your characters. That is, when you are editing your story check if your characters are using distinctive expressions that reveal them and make them real. If they are, well done. If not, you are now aware of this lack. Awareness is a vital first step to learning a skill.

2) Look for these types of expression in well-written novels and films. Study these examples, think about them, see their value and effect.

These steps will help you internalize Rand’s principle of effective dialogue.

3) Practice using such expressions in your stories to further press this dialog writing premise into your mind.

Your goal is to internalize this dialogue principle so deeply that authentic character expressions flow naturally as you write.

This approach—awareness, understanding, practice—forms the foundation for mastering all elements of fiction writing.

All the very best applying Ayn Rand’s idea of the key to writing realistic, characterizing, and professional dialogue: Using representative and suggestive expressions in the dialog of your characters.

(1) Letters of Ayn Rand, edited by Michael S. Berliner, NAL/Penguin HC, 1995, pp 131-36. Learn more about Rand’s letters here. 

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