Dialogue in fiction

Learn about dialogue and thoughts in fiction

Hone your writing and editing craft with articles, books, webinars and booklets dedicated to helping you solve problems with dialogue and thoughts.

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Articles about dialogue and thoughts in fiction

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Free resources to help you craft engaging dialogue

How to declutter your dialogue

This booklet offers guidance or writing dialogue that pushes your novel forward rather than making the reader feel like they’re eavesdropping on a mundane conversation at the bus stop.

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How to write dialogue that pops

This booklet offers a framework for how to write dialogue that pops with voice, mood and intention.

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Louise talks dialogue with Keystroke Medium

I join the team at Keystroke Medium, The Writer's Journey, and talk about the goals of dialogue in a scene, how to use it to keep story pace on track, how to create unique character voices, and using punctuation, tags, actions beats effectively.

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Hone your novel line craft

Editing Fiction at Sentence Level

‘My one-stop-shop resource.’ Andy Maslen, crime and thriller writer

Fiction is about flow, rhythm, mood, voice and style. This book shows you how to hone line craft so that the narrative and dialogue compel readers to turn the page.

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The book is available in print and as an ebook. Listen to a short audio taster below.

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I am so pleased with what you’ve done, Louise. It’s really great – exactly the tightening it needed.
SIMON DANIELS, THRILLER WRITER

Courses on dialogue in fiction

How to Punctuate Dialogue

This self-paced course teaches editors, proofreaders and writers how to punctuate dialogue in a novel according to publishing-industry conventions.

Practice exercises and model answers help you test your skills and knowledge so that you can edit with confidence.

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How to Edit Slurs in Dialogue

This self-paced course teaches editors, proofreaders and writers about six adaptable tools that can be used when line editing dialogue containing discriminatory language.

You’ll learn how to offer solutions based on sound editorial judgement, and that respect character voice, dialogue flow, and reader engagement.

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Preparing Your Book for Submission

'The BEST event I have been to on how to edit a manuscript. I learned so much!' – SoA @ Home Festival attendee
This 30-minute webinar teaches commercial fiction authors 11 pithy line-editing tips that make a substantive difference to writing flow and reader experience.

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