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Write Great Fiction - Dialogue
 
 
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Write Great Fiction - Dialogue (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Dialogue is conversation-nothing more, nothing less..." (more)
Key Phrases: big marine, dialogue dos, magical dialogue, Cee Cee, Aunt Maude, Tom Robinson (more...)
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
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Write Great Fiction - Dialogue + Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints (Write Great Fiction) + Plot & Structure: (Techniques And Exercises For Crafting A Plot That Grips Readers From Start To Finish) (Write Great Fiction)
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

How do some writers craft conversation so authentic, it feels like they've been eavesdropping? What's the secret behind getting characters to talk to each other? How can writers make their dialogue sing?

Answers to all of these questions and more can be found in Gloria Kempton's in-depth look at this crucial component of fiction. Readers will learn how to create dialogue that sizzles, with tips on:

* Creating dialogue for specific genres

* Bringing characters to life with revealing dialogue

* Identifying and fixing common dialogue problems

Each chapter features numerous examples of successful dialogue drawn from bestselling novels, and chapter-ending exercises help readers apply the lessons learned. This is one book that will get readers talking!



About the Author

The author of several young adult novels, Gloria Kempton conducts workshops each year at some of the most prestigious writing conference in the country, including the Maui Writer's Conference. She is also a contributing editor to Writer's Digest magazine. Gloria lives in Seattle, Washington.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Writers Digest Books (October 26, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1582972893
  • ISBN-13: 978-1582972893
  • Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,865 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #2 in  Books > Reference > Business Skills > Public Speaking
    #5 in  Books > Reference > Writing > Fiction
    #36 in  Books > Reference > Foreign Languages

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More About the Author

Gloria Kempton
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

› Visit Amazon's Gloria Kempton Page
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
Dialogue is conversation-nothing more, nothing less. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
big marine, dialogue dos, magical dialogue, shadowy dialogue, uncensored dialogue, breathless dialogue, descriptive dialogue, last minute considerations, cryptic dialogue, viewpoint character, mute characters, tense dialogue, dialogue passages, dialogue scene, setting details
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Cee Cee, Aunt Maude, Tom Robinson, Stephen King, Uncle Adam, Anne Tyler, Dean Koontz, The Chamber, The Color Purple, Fixing Your Own Story Take, Pat Conroy
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This book cites 52 books:
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Writing Fiction by Gotham Writers' Workshop
 

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Customer Reviews

25 Reviews
5 star:
 (14)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
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Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (25 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
94 of 97 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, an Excellent Dialogue Book, October 9, 2005
I was worried there was no such thing as a decent dialogue book. I wanted to buy "Dialogue" from the "Elements of Fiction Writing" series but the reviews were horrible. I instead bought "Writing Dialogue". The book was horrible, a waste of time and money. I was starting to think there was no such thing as a decent dialogue book. Perhaps no more than one or two dozen pages could be written on the subject.

Gloria Kempton in her excellent "Dialogue" book from the new "Write Great Fiction" series from the excellent "Writer's Digest Books" publisher laid my fears to rest. I was very jaded from my horrible experiance with "Writing Dialogue" and read this book with a very poor attitude to start. As the chapters went by, I found my self liking the book and learning excellent points. By the time I got to chapter five, Narrative, Dialogue, and Action, she had won me over.

I learned much from her. Some highlights:

Make your scenes three dimensional. Narration, action, dialogue.

Don't bother with huge multi-page descriptions of your charactors to get a handle on their emotions and drives. All humans fall into nine catagories. Place your charactors in one of these catagories and 90 percent of your work is done. I am number five, the observer. My wife is number nine, the peacemaker.

To really get to know a charactor write a few page monolog of them speaking to you.

The power of dialogue to do many things, quicken the pace, add excitement and emotion, touch the reader's heartstrings, control the scope of the novel.

Different types of novels and the type of dialogue they require.

A must buy by anyone serious about writing.

PS I have had excellent results from the "Writer's Digest Books" publisher. I have most of their "Elements of Fiction Writing Books" and an working on getting all of their new "Write Great Fiction" books. They seemed to have kicked it up a few notches with this new series. Top notch stuff!
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Not a "Lazy Writer" Book, November 16, 2007
I think I understand why some ratings here are low and I also have feeling some folks were expecting someone to magically plop all the rules of dialogue in their laps. Sad news, darlings, you must WORK at learning dialogue and practice as the author delineates in this book. Before, I was very stiff in my dialogue and overworked it to death, and after this book? I'm no longer afraid of it. I have a better grasp on how character personalities work in combination with how they speak. I'm know now that every dialogue needs three crucial components to have balance. The author uses concise examples and literary excerpts from top notch authors to get her points across, and she does a great job.

Don't worry about the lazy naysayers, they wanted a quick list of how to's and don't understand how patience and practice DO pay off in the end.

(And to Thriller lover in particular, you don't have a clue do you? A character's personality has everything to do with dialogue, it's what makes their voice unique. Why do you think she included an entire chapter on it? Gah! *shakes head* )
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23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Painless Way to Write, March 25, 2006
I purchased this book because it was a requirement for a Writers On-Line class that focused on dialogue. Prepared for a dry book on the subject, I was pleasantly surprised at the approach and examples. It focuses on all writing and not specific genres.

This book is on my reference shelf and will remain there as a valuable tool and reminder of what I need to incorporate in my romance writing.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Stay on subject. Please
I have found this book to be very disappointing so far. One thing I notice right off is that the author does not stay on subject while she is writing that a writer needs to stay... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Fred Bowser

1.0 out of 5 stars Cause versus effect
No teacher can please everyone. There are published writers who make lousy teachers, and great writing teachers who never publish. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Minneserenity

5.0 out of 5 stars Devil in the detail
This is a book which takes you into the nitty gritty of writing dialogue. Not only does the author show you what works, she also gives examples of what doesn't work, allowing the... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Esther Campion

5.0 out of 5 stars Dialogue
I was apprehensive about buying this book because dialogue is one of my stronger points in writing. However, after reading several chapters I feel like Gloria Kempton is going to... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Francis Johnson

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
I'm happy with the content...

Learned lots of new and interesting stuff..

MJL
Published 10 months ago by Michael J. Laramee

5.0 out of 5 stars WRITE GREAT FICTION - DIALOGUE
Write Great Fiction - Dialogue (Write Great Fiction)

Miss Kempton has put it all on paper that makes it so easy for any writer to craft dialogue that brings their... Read more
Published 13 months ago by John D. Michael Phelps

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond complete
This book contains all of the advice on dialogue I've read anywhere and much more. It is much better than the book by Tom Chiarella who has a whole chapter on listening to people... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Eloise Hamann

4.0 out of 5 stars Sound advice on how to write
Dialogue by Gloria Kempton has some sound advice for writing dialogue. While not perfect, those giving it such bad reviews seem more interested in explaining their opinions rather... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Property of an Enigma

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly GREAT!
I read the few reviews that were available on this book before I purchased it. That said, I wasn't expecting the dead-on, delightfully comedic, phychology behind every chapter... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Sparrow

5.0 out of 5 stars Write Great Dialog
Everything you wanted to know about writing dialog and more. This book has it all. From writing for different genres, pacing, intensity, and being able to effectively "weave"... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Mark D. Dixon

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