I generally love great dialogue more than just about anything else in a story, especially as a viewer (I love classic Hollywood movies for the dialogue!) and as a reader.

While there is plenty of action in Herezoth, my novels tend to be dialogue-heavy because dialogue is my strength as a writer (as I’ve been told) and because I enjoy it so much.

So what makes dialogue great? Here are some things.

1. It provides meaningful and gripping characterization. (Great fiction is all about character, in my opinion. Certainly, it’s character-driven).
2. It’s witty. (Who doesn’t love witty back and forth?)
3. It doesn’t feel forced. It flows naturally. The progression of conversation and changes in topic make sense.
4. Characters are challenged or rebuked for their actions or opinions.
5. No line is wasted. Nothing is said that doesn’t need to be or that doesn’t have a purpose.

What do you think? Do you also love dialogue? What do you think makes dialogue snap?