Mastering Character Dialogue: Beyond the Words

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Welcome to another jam packed episode of ADWIT with Lindsay Harris-Friel and Sarah Golding!

Dialogue is the lifeblood of audio drama, serving both the author's intent to move the plot forward and revealing what characters truly want. We explore how effective dialogue communicates information while entertaining the audience and avoiding the pitfalls of unnecessary exposition.

• Good dialogue has two essential jobs: communicating what the author wants and what the character wants
• Audio storytelling creates stronger physiological responses than visual media, according to research by University College London
• Dialogue doesn't need to spell everything out – trust the audience to fill in blanks with their imagination
• All dialogue should move the story forward into future action, not dwell in the past
• "The Dark End of the Mall" by The Truth podcast demonstrates masterful dialogue techniques
• Small talk can establish character dynamics but should be minimal in audio drama

Writing exercise: Create a standalone podcast episode based on the folktale about the woman who always wore a ribbon around her neck (see below or research!) focusing on the wedding night conversation between the two main characters.

A LINK TO The Green Ribbon   ...But there are many! 

Send your script excerpt to our Discord channel - here

Or ping to our email - [email protected] - thank you

Links Talked about herein!

The Dark end of the mall - The Truth Podcast

John Yorke Into the woods – a five act journey into story

That's no moon 

Hitchikers Guide To The Galaxy

Audible commissioned UCL survey info

Sherlock Holmes

What is a beat?

The Automatics by Lindsay!

Give me away

Wireless DEAD LONDON

Talking points written by Lindsay Harris Friel. 

Edited by Sarah Golding.

Music by Vince Friel.

HAPPY WRITING!

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Thank you!

Sarah and Lindsay