Tension in Dialogue

 

Which piece of dialogue captures your interest . . .

“I want to go,” she said. “Everyone else is going.”

“No,” her dad answered.

Or . . .

“Why can’t I?” The milk sloshed as she grabbed the jug from the refrigerator and kicked the door closed. “I’m the only person in high school not going!”

Her dad rolled his eyes and continued sorting mail. “Well then, you’ll get to start a whole new trend.”

When a writer creates tension in a scene, the character’s actions must be consistent with the dialogue. Besides giving the reader a more detailed visual, a character’s actions can offer mood and emotion. Without tension, the scene will fall flat.

Offer facial descriptions and body language to increase the action between characters. Be specific with details. If a teen wants to stay out late, say 2:00 a.m.. If someone is bored or nervous, show her or him picking their yellowed nails.

If a reader can envision details and understand the tension in a scene, it immediately becomes more intriguing.

 

More Quotes

 

 

The secret of becoming a writer is to write, write and keep on writing. –Ken MacLeod

 

Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader. Not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon. –E.L. Doctorow

 

The future belongs to those who believe in dreams. –Eleanor Roosevelt