The Attuned Art of Writing Dialogue

Writing believable, memorable, smart dialogue is a frequent hurdle for many writers. Is it “real” – too much, too little, or simply the not quite right words conveying the not quite right essence? Tricky stuff. Take this opportunity to work closely with award-winning author and screenplay pro William Sibley to learn some expert advice on what makes for unique dialogue that “sells” the writing for the reader—whether for a novel, play, film, or TV series. Students will bring in a piece of dialogue they’re working on – or will write a few paragraphs/ a page of dialogue – and receive practical feedback on the character, spirit, and authenticity of each one. The class will also address the critical need of developing a “writer’s ear” for incorporating a myriad of character attributes (regionalism, differing ages, differing backgrounds, differing sex, etc). This open-level workshop is designed to have each participant clear that most challenging craft hurdle—creating authentic dialogue that moves their story in crucial ways.