"When should your character talk, what should (or shouldn't) he say, and when should he say it? How do you know when dialogue - or the lack thereof - is dragging down your scene? How do you fix a character who speaks with the laconic wit of the Terminator?" "Write Great Fiction: Dialogue by successful author and instructor Gloria Kempton has the answers to all of these questions and more! It's packed with innovative exercises and instruction."--Jacket.

Includes index.

Releasing the voice within : the purpose of dialogue -- Mute characters and stories : abolishing your fears -- The genre, mainstream, and literary story : the dialogue matters -- Wheels of motion : dialogue that propels the story forward -- Narrative, dialogue, and action : learning to weave the spoken word -- In their own words : delivering the characters and their motivations to the reader -- There is a place : using dialogue to reveal story setting and background -- Brakes or accelerator : dialogue as a means of pacing -- Tightening the tension and suspense : dialogue the intensifies the conflict -- It was a dark and stormy night : using dialogue to set the mood and facilitate the emotion -- The uhs, ands and ers : some how-tos of dialogue quirks -- Whoops! Dialogue that doesn't deliver : the most common mistakes -- Punctuation and last minute consideration : typing up the loose ends -- Dialoge do's and don'ts : some practical tips -- Connecting with readers : you can make a difference.