In Bird by Bird, Ann Lamott writes, “...good dialogue gives us the sense that we are eavesdropping, that the author is not getting in the way. Thus, good dialogue encompasses both what is said and what is not said. What is not said will sit patiently outside that stuck elevator door, or it will dart around the characters’ feet inside the elevator, like rats. So let these characters hold back some thoughts, and at the same time, let them detonate little bombs.”
In this one-day class, students will explore dialogue as an essential part of craft in fiction writing. Through analysis, writing prompt exercises, and class discussions, we’ll look at examples of great dialogue in short stories from writers like Samantha Hunt, Danielle Evans, Colin Barrett, and Tom Drury. We’ll also discuss examples from movies, plays, and television. At the end of the class, students will have an opportunity to improve the dialogue in their own work, with tailored feedback from their peers and instructor.
Use code EARLYBIRD at checkout for 10% off through May 6! (Porch members, check your email for your special earlybird discount code.)
Hilary Bell is a writer from Nashville, Tennessee. An ASME National Magazine Award Finalist, her work has appeared in American Short Fiction and elsewhere. She holds an M.F.A. in fiction from The Iowa Writers’ Workshop and has taught creative writing at The University of Iowa, where she was a postgraduate screenwriting fellow.
"Hilary offers wonderful insight, advice, and feedback!"
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"Hilary did such a great job answering all of our questions and giving attention to everyone's different processes."
